2008 Hyundai Santa FE Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 10%of 541 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE, 10% of the 541 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 7 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 was driving on the expressway when my vehicle picked up 65 MPH. I was pushing on my brakes which didn't do anything, as I was approaching my exit I had my foot holding the brakes all the way which then slowed the car down enough. I got off the exit and was met with a red light and my car accelerated without warning almost causing me to slam into the back of another vehicle. I threw my car in park and it started smoking so I turned the vehicle completely off. Frightening situation as I had my infant twins. May 7 2021”
NHTSA complaint #11415741, filed 2021-05, 150,000 miles“I was pulling into a parking space with my foot on the break pedal when the car inexplicably accelerated and would not stop. Luckily there was a fence to hold me until I was able to turn the car off to stop the acceleration. The engine revved and took off even when foot was applied to break with force. I see many other cases of this and yet still no recall. Hyundai takes zero accountability for this problem. This needs to be addressed. My situation was a lucky one and still terrifying. People could reallly get hurt.”
NHTSA complaint #11307829, filed 2020-02, 140,000 miles“Twice I have experienced sudden unintended acceleration (sua) in the past few weeks. The first time I was traveling on a primary road going the speed limit 45 MPH. While my foot was steady on the accelerator, the car just suddenly accelerated without me pushing down on the accelerator pedal. I tried putting on the brake and that didn't seem to help any. …”
NHTSA complaint #10349198, filed 2010-08, 46,700 miles“While driving on highway, gas pedal stop responding. I was able to go to the curb and put car into parking, then I had problem to shut engine off, only second or third attempt was successful. After couple of minutes I start the ignition and engine warning light come on . Car is drivable, but it hesitates when I push the pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #10339261, filed 2010-06, 17,345 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 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 8% |
| 2025 | 8 | 6% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 15 | 7% |
| 2022 | 16 | 8% |
| 2021 | 7 | 4% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 5% |
| 2017 | 54 | 6% |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% |
| 2015 | 7 | 3% |
| 2014 | 27 | 5% |
| 2013 | 21 | 3% |
| 2012 | 40 | 11% |
| 2011 | 24 | 13% |
| 2010 | 21 | 8% |
| 2009 | 51 | 14% |
| 2008 | 52 | 10% |
| 2007 | 58 | 8% |
| 2006 | 20 | 19% |
| 2005 | 44 | 20% |
| 2004 | 39 | 13% |
| 2003 | 24 | 8% |
| 2002 | 15 | 9% |
| 2001 | 14 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE
273 complaintsElectrical system
74 complaintsAir bags
70 complaintsEngine
60 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 31, 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