YearToAvoid

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 70 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, 13% of all 541 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest airbag complaint count among 21 Santa Fe model years. These complaints report 5 crashes and 6 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 16,250 miles.

Airbags complaints
70
13% of 541
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
16,250 mi
Related recalls
2

When 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 25, 2008, latest Jun 14, 2025.

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags complaints: complaints filed per month5Apr 2008Dec 2008Sep 2009Aug 2012Jun 2014Apr 2016Oct 2017Jun 2025
70 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2008 to Jun 2025; peak Feb 2009 (5).

Airbags recalls for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

  1. NHTSA 12V354000Jul 25, 2012Airbags199,118 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 11V472000Sep 9, 2011Airbags205,233 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

Airbags complaints by Santa Fe model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200574 (34%)
  2. 200628 (26%)
  3. 2007102 (15%)
  4. 200870 (13%)
  5. 200929 (8%)
  6. 20109 (3%)
  7. 20117 (4%)
  8. 20126 (2%)
  9. 20135 (1%)
  10. 201413 (3%)
  11. 20159 (4%)
  12. 20169 (4%)
  13. 201720 (2%)
  14. 20186 (6%)
  15. 20197 (4%)
  16. 20207 (3%)
  17. 20212 (1%)
  18. 20225 (3%)
  19. 20232 (1%)
  20. 20241 (1%)
  21. 20252 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 70 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, 13% of all complaints for this model year, including 5 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 16,250 miles.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe has the most airbag complaints (102), compared with 70 for the 2008.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe concern the airbag: 12V354000 and 11V472000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.