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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (4)
Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Air bags: frontal
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Equipment: other, labels
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).
Risk and remedy
Risk: OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Canadian recalls (7)
Show 7 Canadian recalls
Engine
2021-10-26 · campaign 2021-653
Issue:
On certain vehicles, engine oil can leak from the valve cover onto the alternator. If this happens, the charging system could stop working and cause a warning light to turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with this problem, the engine could shut off while driving, and you may not be able to restart it.
Note: This recall replaces C0260 (Transport Canada recall 2016-309). Vehicles that were repaired under that recall also require this repair.
Safety Risk:
A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
Hyundai will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development. Note: If the battery charging indicator light is on, Hyundai recommends that you should arrange to have the vehicle inspected and repaired at a dealer immediately.
Electrical
2020-05-27 · campaign 2020-233
Issue:
Certain vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer wiring harness kit that could fail. Over time, this could result in a short circuit that can cause overheating of the control module.
Note: This recall only affects Hyundai Genuine Accessory trailer wiring harness kits that were manufactured by third parties and sold in Canada. These kits may have been ordered at the time of a vehicle purchase, or purchased separately from a dealer as an aftermarket accessory.
Safety Risk:
A short circuit could create a fire risk. This risk remains even when the vehicle is parked.
Corrective Actions:
Hyundai will notify owners by mail and instruct you to inspect your vehicle to see if it has an affected trailer wiring harness installed. If it does, Hyundai will advise you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a redesigned trailer wiring harness. Hyundai recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors, and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.
Engine
2016-06-16 · campaign 2016-309
This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2021-653.
On certain vehicles equipped with a 3.3L V6 engine, engine oil can leak onto the alternator, which could affect charging system function and potentially cause the engine to stall and not restart. This would result in a loss of motive power as well as affect power braking and power steering system function, which would unexpectedly increase steering and brake pedal effort, potentially increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the front valve cover gasket and repair/replace the alternator, as necessary, under a special service campaign.
Electrical
2013-04-03 · campaign 2013-099
On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may fail and cause intermittent operation of the brake lights. Failure of the brake lights to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the switch.
Airbag
2012-07-24 · campaign 2012-231
On certain vehicles equipped with an advanced airbag system, the Passive Occupant Detection System (PODS), installed in the right front seat of the vehicle, may misclassify a small stature adult as a child and deactivate the passenger frontal airbag. When the passenger frontal airbag is deactivated, the “PASS AIR BAG OFF” warning lamp will illuminate. This would cause the right front airbag to not inflate in a crash that merits airbag deployment, and may result in injury to the right front seat occupant. The condition will not affect the driver’s frontal airbag deployment. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the PODS system.
Airbag
2011-09-09 · campaign 2011-333
On certain vehicles, the clockspring assembly for the driver's airbag may become damaged and fail. As a result the airbag may not function as intended, and the instrument panel warning lamp would illuminate. Failure of the driver's frontal airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the airbag clockspring assembly.
Label
2008-06-10 · campaign 2008-206
On certain vehicles, the compliance label contains Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) values that exceeds the capacity of the tires. Loading the vehicle beyond tire capacity could result in poor vehicle handling and braking characteristics, and possible tire failure, which could lead to a loss of vehicle control, causing a crash with personal injury or death. Correction: Updated labels will be mailed to owners of affected vehicles, along with instructions for proper installation.
Owner complaints (541)
Owners filed 541 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe (17 crashes, 7 fires, 12 injuries reported). Among 26 model years of this model, it ranks #4 for the most complaints (median 218).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 215 | |
| Electrical system | 74 | |
| Air bags | 70 | |
| Engine | 60 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 58 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 52 | |
| Power train | 24 | |
| Structure | 20 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR w/SAB | – | – | – | 4★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Santa Fe 2WD 2.7 L Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Santa Fe 2WD 2.7 L Manual 5-spd | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Santa Fe 2WD 3.3 L Automatic 5-spd | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Santa Fe 4WD 2.7 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Santa Fe 4WD 2.7 L Manual 5-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Santa Fe 4WD 3.3 L Automatic 5-spd | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.