2008 Hyundai Santa FE Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 2%of 541 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,375miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE, 2% of the 541 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,375 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The check engine light came on in the car, I took it to be diagnosed and it is a failure of the fuel level sensor. Apparently Hyundai is well aware of this very common problem and refuses to issue a recall. Additionally, the entire assembly is only sold together, therefore this is a fix that will cost at least $800 which I cannot afford. So now I just have to drive around with the check engine light on at all times, having no idea how much fuel I have or if any other engine issues have come up. Shame on Hyundai.”
NHTSA complaint #10596673, filed 2014-06, 74,500 miles“On 12/26/2010,my husband and 2 children were returning from nj to ct via the garden state parkway, new jersey turnpike and the george washington bridge. Four times during that trip, our Hyundai Santa Fe suddenly lost power. Each time the loss of power occurred there was no precipitating event, just a sudden and random loss of power followed by the ESC light illuminating on the dash. He had to coast thru traffic, find a safe place to stop and turn the car off and back on again to regain power. We took the car to the Hyundai dealer in meriden ct and they interrogated the computer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10374446, filed 2011-01, 53,375 miles“See attached email updated 06/04/2013 the occupant classification system (osc) does not consistently recognize small-statured adults, causing the passenger side air bag to deactivate when such person occupy the front seat. Also, there were problems with the transmission, a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle, the vehicle shutting down, an issue with the throttle cable, and a whining sound upon acceleration.”
NHTSA complaint #10514334, filed 2013-05, 56,000 miles“When trying to park the car, the car does not recognize it is in park, even though the gear shift is in park. Therefore, you cannot turn your car completely off or remove the key from the ignition. The car has been serviced 6 times over the course of 3 years for the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10449950, filed 2012-03, 6,820 miles“Gas gauge started to malfunction. Also check engine light comes on. Gas tank is full and is reacting wildly. Dealer says it's a $650 fix. This should be a recall !!! Safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10555127, filed 2013-12, 107,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253276Apr 9, 2024Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankâs valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator…
- 10247610Dec 19, 2023Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankâs valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator…
- 10247609Dec 19, 2023Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankâs valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator…
- 10245012Nov 3, 2023Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankâs valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator…
- 10245011Nov 3, 2023Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankâs valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator…
- 10247189Oct 13, 2023This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
- 10243322Sep 13, 2023Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankâs valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator…
- 10243321Sep 13, 2023Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankâs valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator…
- 10217251Jul 28, 2022Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or…
- 10190044Mar 30, 2021This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 23 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 6 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 10 | 2% |
| 2007 | 19 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 22 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 14 | 8% |
| 2001 | 33 | 16% |
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 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsExterior lighting
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 29, 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