The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Santa Fe · 2008

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index131100 = average car
Complaints95NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold70,994U.S. model year
Per 100K sold134complaints
Year rank#17 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.7L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD18 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
2.7L 6-cylManual 5-spdFWD17 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
2.7L 6-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
2.7L 6-cylManual 5-spd4Wheel or AWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.3L 6-cylAuto 5-spdFWD17 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
3.3L 6-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD17 / 24 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,200 and 99,700 miles. Median 73,700, from 458 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Fuel or ev drive system80,10064,000–102,000189
Electrical84,10062,500–115,80064
Airbags13,000300–71,40055
Engine88,00064,800–115,00045
Fuel system, gasoline72,00055,300–82,50054

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags36%
Speed control23%
Brakes12%
Body structure5%
Electrical5%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
54117711010

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 13V113000 Apr 2013 Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch

    Defect. 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

    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.

  • 12V354000 Jul 2012 Air Bags / Frontal / Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    Defect. 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. 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.

  • 11V472000 Sep 2011 Air Bags / Frontal

    Defect. 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. 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.

  • 08E055000 Sep 2008 Trailer Hitches

    Defect. 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 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. SOME CIRCUIT BOARD COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY SEALED TO PREVENT MOISTURE CONTACT. THE MOISTURE MAY RESULT IN CIRCUIT BOARD CORROSION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

    Risk. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE CONVERTER MODULE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

    Remedy. THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL CONDUCTED BY HYUNDAI AFFECTING THE SAME TRAILER HITCH WIRING COMPONENTS CONCERNING HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1. (PLEASE SEE 08E016). OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR TRAILER HITCH REPAIRED UNDER THE INITIAL CAMPAIGN WILL RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED HARNESS INSTALLED. HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY ALL

  • 08V272000 Jun 2008 Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect. 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. 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.

  • 08E016000 Feb 2008 Trailer Hitches

    Defect. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055. 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 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1 COULD CAUSE HEAT RELATED DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE.

    Risk. EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AREA AND MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

    Remedy. HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities20212023

Manufacturer communications 67

Hyundai filed 67 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Rear hub bearing replacement 4wd

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2005734268,006Speed control
2006452063,931Speed control
200716413492,421Airbags
20081319570,994Airbags
2009925980,343Speed control
201011910676,680Transmission & drivetrain
2011827474,391Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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