The Lemon Index2008 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe is worse than average by owner complaints: 95 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 131, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 19 to 20 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 541 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 99K miles on the car (458 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 64K–102K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 62K–115K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 0K–71K miles
Recalls 6
- lights 2013
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…
- airbags 2012
The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.
- airbags 2011
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…
Show all 6 recalls
- trailer hitches 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SA…
- equipment 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 88,943 MY 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P235/60R18 TIRES.
- trailer hitches 2008
THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 67 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear hub bearing replacement 4wd
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
I was backing up and as I turned the wheel the car engaged in a sudden acceleration as the motor started to rev. I applied the brakes, but the car would not stop until it plowed through a brick wall at my school.
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 10439287
More owner reports
Airbag sensor in front passenger seat does not detect an adult sitting in the seat. Air bag will not deploy in an accident.
NHTSA complaint 10243421
Sudden unintended acceleration. Occurred twice within two months.
NHTSA complaint 10383859
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 131; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (36%), speed control (23%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
6 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,200 and 99,700 miles. The middle report was at 73,700 miles, from 458 complaints.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works