2008 Hyundai Santa FE Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 70about this part
- Share
- 13%of 541 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 70 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE, 13% of the 541 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“A week ago, the red lamp on my dashboard for air bag began to stay lit, while driving, parked, anytime the vehicle was running. Then a few days ago, while my 275 lb son was sitting in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag light stayed lit, saying off, indicating it was not working, despite having a passenger in the seat. Both of these have had recalls, (12v354000) and 11v472000, but I have not received notification to have serviced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11019064, filed 2017-08, 165,000 miles“My red air bag light has been on for about 2 months. I took it to the Hyundai dealership and they wanted $1500. My issue is I did nothing to cause the air bag malfunction so why should I pay this extremely high cost. (I'm retired) I also spoke with the Hyundai regional manager and they offered me $200. This is a safety hazard and I want Hyundai to fix this!!! I took my car in for the air bag recall in 2012, so something continues to be wrong with the air bag system.”
NHTSA complaint #10721629, filed 2015-05, 100,000 miles“Hello, this is a new car (400mi.) and with my wife (5'4 and 120lbs.) sitting in the passenger seat the passenger side airbag light illuminates, indicating the airbag is off. Occasionally the light will go off (as expected, indicating the passenger airbag is armed) as we start driving and then it will come on after 5 to 10min. Of driving. It is very disconcerting to think the airbag may not deploy if needed. Thanks, dan”
NHTSA complaint #10241462, filed 2008-09, 6 miles“On 9/26/2017 at 3:55 p.m. I was involved in a single car rollover accident. I was traveling on hwy 97 in california at approximately 55-60 MPH. No more than 10 miles outside the city of weed. I hit something in the road or blew a tire. The car first went left and then right. The breaks felt as though they locked. When the car hit an asphalt curb it went airborne (there were no guard rails) and went into a small embankment. The vehicle rolled but landed upright. None of the airbags deployed. I also believe the seatbelt did not lock as it is supposed to when a crash occurs. …”
NHTSA complaint #11031914, filed 2017-10, 124,733 miles“I took my vehicle to the dealership to perform two recalls: (1) stop lamp switch and (2) pods recalibration. I was informed the air bag light in the dashboard had come on and stayed on after the recalibration of the pods. I never had an issue with the pods system or an air warning light in the dash prior to the recall. I was told Hyundai would pay to either replace the passenger front seat belt tensioner or the entire seat. They did not allow me to drive my vehicle because they said it was a safety issue and rented me a car for 4 days. …”
NHTSA complaint #10583675, filed 2014-04, 71,364 milesRelated recalls
- 12V354000Jul 25, 2012Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2007–2009
- 11V472000Sep 9, 2011Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 hyundai veracruz vehicles manufactured from december 26, 2006, through march 21, 2008, and model year…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2007–2008, Veracruz 2007–2008
Related service bulletins
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by…
- 10196577May 14, 2021The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 3% |
| 2019 | 7 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 20 | 2% |
| 2016 | 9 | 4% |
| 2015 | 9 | 4% |
| 2014 | 13 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 29 | 8% |
| 2008 | 70 | 13% |
| 2007 | 102 | 15% |
| 2006 | 28 | 26% |
| 2005 | 74 | 34% |
| 2004 | 43 | 14% |
| 2003 | 42 | 14% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE
273 complaintsElectrical system
74 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology