2008 Hyundai Santa FE Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE, 13% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 16,250 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (71% of reports).
- 70air bags complaints
- 16,250median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 29%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 50 of 70 complaints (71%)
- Passenger seat: mentioned in 22 of 70 complaints (31%)
- Clock spring: mentioned in 11 of 70 complaints (16%)
- Airbag sensor: mentioned in 6 of 70 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 56 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 70 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 5 an injury.
Hyundai Santa FE air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Santa FE | 2 | 1% | 10,024 |
| 2024 Santa FE | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 Santa FE | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Santa FE | 5 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Santa FE | 2 | 1% | 38,000 |
| 2020 Santa FE | 7 | 3% | — |
| 2019 Santa FE | 7 | 3% | 3,800 |
| 2018 Santa FE | 6 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2017 Santa FE | 20 | 2% | 35,000 |
| 2016 Santa FE | 9 | 4% | 73,000 |
| 2015 Santa FE | 9 | 4% | 75,355 |
| 2014 Santa FE | 13 | 3% | 70,100 |
| 2013 Santa FE | 5 | 1% | 24,000 |
| 2012 Santa FE | 6 | 2% | 72,174 |
| 2011 Santa FE | 7 | 4% | 31,000 |
| 2010 Santa FE | 9 | 3% | 55,000 |
| 2009 Santa FE | 29 | 8% | 80,000 |
| 2008 Santa FE | 70 | 13% | 16,250 |
| 2007 Santa FE | 102 | 15% | 45,500 |
| 2006 Santa FE | 28 | 26% | 80,000 |
| 2005 Santa FE | 74 | 34% | 93,500 |
| 2004 Santa FE | 43 | 14% | 90,412 |
| 2003 Santa FE | 42 | 14% | 66,299 |
| 2002 Santa FE | 5 | 3% | 90,500 |
| 2001 Santa FE | 3 | 1% | 82,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.
Risk: Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 hyundai veracruz vehicles manufactured from december 26, 2006, through march 21, 2008, and model year 2007-2008 hyundai santa fe vehicles manufactured from april 19, 2006 through march 20, 2008. The clock spring contact assembly for the driver's air bag supplemental restraint system (srs) may become damaged through usage over time. The driver's air bag electrical circuit will experience a high resistance condition, potentially causing the driver's air bag to not deploy.
Risk: If the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Hyundai dealers will replace the vehicle's driver's air bag clock spring contact assembly free of charge. The safety recall began in november 2011. Owners may contact hyundai customer connect center at 1-800-633-5151.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My suv was involved in a Roll Over accident. The front driver tire blew out causing the driver to hit the curb which caused the SUV to roll 4 times. The driver was ejected from the vehicle while wearing a seat belt and not one air bag deployed. Major safety issues
My car has a recall, and the dealership is unable to fix it. There is also an issue with the oem control module that they are unable to get the part and unable to fix this because they do not have the correct software.
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer after receiving notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V936000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 12V354000 (Air Bags). The dealer diagnosed the vehicle that the brake lamp switch needed to be…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2008 Hyundai Santa FEs have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 70 owner complaints about air bags for the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE (13% of the 541 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE air bags?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 16,250 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 50 of 70 complaints, followed by “passenger seat” (22).
Other 2008 Hyundai Santa FE problems
See all 2008 Hyundai Santa FE problems or air bags problems across all Santa FE years.