2008 Hyundai Santa FE Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 3%of 541 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE, 3% of the 541 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 was driving to work and my ESC off light came on. As soon as it came on my brakes got touchy, my entire car started shaking like crazy, & my car would not go over 20-25 miles. I had to press the brakes really hard bc I was afraid that I was going to hit another car.”
NHTSA complaint #11354332, filed 2020-09, 142,302 miles“I had my Santa Fe serviced on 04/05/16 for fuel gauge sensor,was not reading appropriate gas level. I have only 72000miles and somthing like this should be a recall.I was told that happened because of the age of the car,which I don't believe.we owned 8 cars before sant fe and it never happened. It is a spendy repair of $388.99 marta”
NHTSA complaint #10854656, filed 2016-04, 72,000 miles“My Santa Fe limited awd 2008 was bought at the end of feb 2009 and now has ~44k mileage. I had two similar incidents with my Santa Fe today (7/6/2014), which LED to significant power loss and speed loss of the car on the road. The first time, I was driving on a local road at ~45 MPH. Suddenly I felt the car lost the power and began to slow down. I stepped down on the accelerator, but the car could not accelerate (the speed dropped to ~20 MPH). …”
NHTSA complaint #10608491, filed 2014-07, 44,000 miles“While driving on a city street (approximately 35 MPH), my car suddenly displayed the check engine light as well as the ecs off indicator and at that same time, I was no longer able to accelerate and my car slowed to a stop. I pulled off to the side of the road, turned the car off for a few minutes and then restarted with the same results. When I restarted, the ecs indicator was no longer lit, but the check engine light remained on until the deceleration occurred again and then both lights were illuminated. …”
NHTSA complaint #10893147, filed 2016-08, 153,000 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 9 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 11 | 2% |
| 2013 | 10 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 2% |
| 2008 | 16 | 3% |
| 2007 | 68 | 10% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE
273 complaintsElectrical system
74 complaintsAir bags
70 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsOther or unknown
19 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