2008 Hyundai Santa FE Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 74about this part
- Share
- 14%of 541 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,104miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 74 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE, 14% of the 541 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,104 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The fuel pump and sensors went bad. The fuel gauge started glitching and going up and down randomly. After 1-2 months it was showing empty at all times. I changed the sensors and the fuel gauge went to the middle even when the tank was full. I had to replace both sensors and the fuel pump to get it fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11297376, filed 2020-01, 125,000 miles“Going down interstate at 70 miles an hour and car shut off put car in nutral and restarted . Then the next day driving to work and car cut off again while driving did same and restarted . Went on line and found out this has ben a problem in these cars for years and am afraid for me and my children s lives”
NHTSA complaint #11277181, filed 2019-10, 170,000 miles“I actually have 2 issues occurring. One of these was deemed to have been fixed by a previous recall (campaign 105/110 - fixed /closed jun 23, 2014). However, my ESC off light and ABS light are again lighting up. I have (luckily) not yet had loss of engine power or control. The second issue is in regards to campaign 936. …”
NHTSA complaint #11010439, filed 2017-07, 76,000 miles“I filled up the tank and the gas gauge level read empty. Continued and has been on empty. Sometimes it will rise gradually to correct level. And when you turn off engine then it goes back to empty. I find this to be dangerous because I don't know if the car will stop. I have read many others that have had the same problem. A recall is in order to correct this problem for the safety of all.”
NHTSA complaint #10694371, filed 2015-03, 71,230 miles“My fuel gauge is very erratic ;we never know how much fuel we have.it fluctuates from full to empty at will causing us to try to judge by the miles driven or fill up every few days. I would hate to run out of gas on an interstate in middle of the night because of a miscalculation on the mileage. I feel this is a safety hazard and the company seems aware of it.”
NHTSA complaint #10521747, filed 2013-06, 81,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day…
- 10170883Jan 16, 2020This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common…
- 10160098Apr 15, 2019This bulletin provides the procedure to write the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) during the replacement of the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module…
- 10058931Aug 27, 2015Hyundai: on certain vehicles, front valve cover gasket and alternator needs inspection and if necessary, will be replaced due to engine oil leakage from front cylinder bank valve…
- 10058910Jul 1, 2015Hyundai: information procedure regarding replacement of alternator due to oil contamination, lh (front) cylinder head cover gasket, resulting in no alternator output, no start…
- 10030878Jun 1, 2009Hyundai: some vehicles are equipped with an in car navigation system as part of the audio system. If a navigation system experiences lock up during operation, this bulletin…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 14% |
| 2025 | 29 | 21% |
| 2024 | 30 | 19% |
| 2023 | 36 | 17% |
| 2022 | 32 | 16% |
| 2021 | 29 | 17% |
| 2020 | 25 | 11% |
| 2019 | 27 | 13% |
| 2018 | 9 | 8% |
| 2017 | 70 | 7% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 20 | 8% |
| 2014 | 49 | 10% |
| 2013 | 53 | 9% |
| 2012 | 43 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 14% |
| 2010 | 28 | 11% |
| 2009 | 50 | 14% |
| 2008 | 74 | 14% |
| 2007 | 97 | 14% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 18 | 6% |
| 2003 | 28 | 9% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
| 2001 | 35 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE
273 complaintsAir bags
70 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 Oct 30, 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