2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags problems

70 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 19,500. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 70
of this car's complaints: 13%
typical mileage: 19,500
crashes: 5
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Frontal
19
Frontal: sensor/control module
2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Hyundai Santa Fe airbags problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 36

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported July 25, 2012 · 199,118 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.

Recall number 12V354000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported September 9, 2011 · 205,233 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.

Recall number 11V472000 · Recall details

What 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 14, 2025 · Airbags, Seat belts · OH · crash · 1 injury

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

Filed Mar 25, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · PA

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.

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Airbags, Brakes · 140,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer after receiving notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V936000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 12V354000 (Air Bags). The dealer diagnosed the vehicle that the brake lamp switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that while driving, the TPMS, passenger seat belt, and the ESC warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket and alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 64,900 miles · IL

Clock spring contact assembly for drivers airbag. Experiencing high resistance code. Recall 11v472000 covered some 2008 models but not mine. Air bag light came on after starting vehicle on 08/03/2020

Filed Aug 3, 2020 · Airbags · 100,580 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v472000 (air bags) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,580.

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Airbags · KS

Campaign 103 recall. I have this exact problem with my 2008 santa fe but never recieved a recall notice.

Filed Jun 25, 2019 · Airbags · 125,000 miles · MA

Air bag clock spring causing air bag light to come on. Vehicle was made april of 2008 there is an existing recall for vehicles made in march of 2008 for this exact issue

Filed Oct 16, 2017 · Airbags · 229,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. Upon starting the vehicle and driving at unknown speeds, the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (bentley hyundai, 3805 university dr nw, huntsville, al 35816) where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 229,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2017 · Airbags, Seat belts · 124,733 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

On 9/26/2017 at 3:55 p.m. I was involved in a single car rollover accident. I was traveling on hwy 97 in california at approximately 55-60 MPH. No more than 10 miles outside the city of weed. I hit something in the road or blew a tire. The car first went left and then right. The breaks felt as though they locked. When the car hit an asphalt curb it went airborne (there were no guard rails) and went into a small embankment. The vehicle rolled but landed upright. None of the airbags deployed. I also believe the seatbelt did not lock as it is supposed to when a crash occurs. I say that because the right side my head hit the roof of the vehicle and I received a large hematoma. Initially I thought it was because the roof had caved in. When I saw the vehicle the next day it was the left side of the roof that had caved in. What also makes me believe there is a seatbelt issue is I was involved in a rollover in 1985 and did not suffer any head injuries as the seat belt kept me tightly in the seat.

Filed Sep 18, 2017 · Airbags · MA · crash · 1 injury

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. Updated 09/18/2017*js

Questions about the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags

Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 70 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 19,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 12V354000, 11V472000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Hyundai Santa Fe have bad airbags?

The Hyundai Santa Fe model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (102 complaints), 2005 (74 complaints) and 2008 (70 complaints).