Model year record

2008 Hyundai Santa FE

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 739 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V113000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,712,336
Reported to NHTSA
2013-04-01
Owners notified
2013-04-22

Defect description

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Safety risk

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V354000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected
199,118
Reported to NHTSA
2012-07-25
Owners notified
2012-09-07

Defect description

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.

Safety risk

Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.

Manufacturer remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V472000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
205,233
Reported to NHTSA
2011-09-09
Owners notified
2012-05-28

Defect description

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.

Safety risk

IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Manufacturer remedy

HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V272000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected
88,943
Reported to NHTSA
2008-06-19
Owners notified
2008-08-05

Defect description

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 88,943 MY 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P235/60R18 TIRES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE BLACK CERTIFICATION LABEL AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CENTER PILLAR, INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR).

Safety risk

OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

HYUNDAI WILL MAIL CORRECTED CERTIFICATION LABELS ALONG WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED OWNERS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel/propulsion system21580,100 mi
Electrical system7583,000 mi
Engine6688,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline5772,000 mi
Vehicle speed control5151,000 mi
Air bags5056,000 mi
Power train2365,000 mi
Air bags: frontal19300 mi
Unknown or other1975,000 mi
Service brakes17101,356 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)16120,000 mi
Structure: body1572,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1322,918 mi
Steering1396,490 mi
Exterior lighting1292,099 mi
Engine and engine cooling1153,375 mi
Suspension1080,000 mi
Seat belts741,000 mi
Visibility/wiper485,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator388,000 mi
Seats324,500 mi
Structure34,000 mi
Tires31,500 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2100 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery265,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility235,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission264,000 mi
Structure: frame and members236,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2195,000 mi
Visibility27,580 mi
Wheels280,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel181,000 mi
Equipment18,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner179,974 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.112 mi
Equipment: other: labels14,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, diesel158,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Latches/locks/linkages1300 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Parking brake1160,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1120,002 mi
Steering: rack and pinion158,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension: front15 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems18 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1165,000 mi

The 2007 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2009 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.