VehicleVerdict

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags problems

The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe has 70 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

70

Airbags complaints

10%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

12V354000AirbagsJuly 25, 2012 · 199,118 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

11V472000AirbagsSeptember 9, 2011 · 205,233 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DESIGN FLAW WITH AIRBAG. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE PROPELLANT THE DEPLOYS THE AIRBAG THE CONTAINED A CHEMICAL THAT LEFT THE CONSUMER WITH TWO SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON THE ARM.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 1, 2016 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

NHTSA has 70 complaints about the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 11V472000, 12V354000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.