YearToAvoid

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

NHTSA has 115 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, 21% of all 541 complaints for this model year. That is #9 highest engine complaint count among 21 Santa Fe model years. These complaints report 8 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 72,114 miles.

Engine complaints
115
21% of 541
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
72,114 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe engine complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 1, 2009, latest Mar 20, 2026.

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter92009 Q42011 Q32013 Q32015 Q32017 Q22019 Q22024 Q12026 Q1
115 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2015 Q3 (9).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Santa Fe model year

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

  1. 200559 (27%)
  2. 200626 (25%)
  3. 2007122 (18%)
  4. 2008115 (21%)
  5. 2009116 (32%)
  6. 201063 (24%)
  7. 201187 (48%)
  8. 2012264 (75%)
  9. 2013293 (48%)
  10. 2014289 (59%)
  11. 2015163 (64%)
  12. 2016157 (67%)
  13. 2017701 (73%)
  14. 201859 (54%)
  15. 201980 (40%)
  16. 202088 (41%)
  17. 202142 (25%)
  18. 202264 (32%)
  19. 202348 (23%)
  20. 202420 (13%)
  21. 202520 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe have engine problems?
NHTSA has 115 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, 21% of all complaints for this model year, including 8 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 72,114 miles.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe year has the most engine complaints?
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has the most engine complaints (701), compared with 115 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.