2008 Hyundai Santa Fe: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

Engine rattles noise when starting the car after sitting for more than an hour it makes that sound another issue is that when i turn the headlights on all interior lights shuts off including the instrument cluster radio and ac climate control buttons

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I have taken my car to my local dealership for the Service Campaign 976 (Oil Gasket leak) back in Nov 2023. Ever since then my car has had starting issues until one day it needed a jump start in 2024 during the summer. Didn't think anything of it at the time, until the beginning of 2025. Car needed a jump start in the winter before leaving for work in the morning and before going back home from work. My brother who is a auto mechanic suggested I needed a new battery by now so I did that. Once I replaced the battery on my car I noticed that I didn't have headlights, power steering or heat working in my car. He came to my home and checked my engine and noticed that my alternator was covered in oil. I remembered that I took my car to the dealership for this issue with the Service campaign. I've been back and forth with this issue between the dealership and corporate to look at this issue. The dealership can't provide any photo proof or documentation stating what work was done. The dealership claimed that Hyundai doesn't need photo proof as of 2023 and started needing it in 2024, they simple state that the work was done and sign the car off on the recall. I don't see how this isn't a safety issue when the description of the campaign says that my vehicle can shut off while driving causing a crash. I have a family that I drive in this vehicle and our safety isn't being a concerning issue with this matter because "It's outside of the warranty" that shouldn't matter if the dealership can not provide any proof that work was done besides putting a oil shield on the vehicle. The head gasket leak didn't seem to be resolved if the alternator is saturated in oil enough that it doesn't hold a charge.

Filed Sep 10, 2016 · Fuel system, Lights · 89,000 miles · FL

Our gas gauge shows empty, and the fuel light stays on, all the time. This occurs even after we fill the car up. This occurs whether the car is stationary or running. We have to track our fuel level by keeping track of the mileage. Also, if we turn the car off when fueling, it will not turn back on. We have to try over and over again until it turns on. We have found that if we leave the car running while fueling, it usually stays running; however, a lot of times, the car stops running and then, we struggle to get it started again. This is our 2nd santa fe (our first was a 2004, with which we never had a problem). If hyundai doesn't do something to fix this problem, this will be our last hyundai. This is dangerous on many levels, and as we all can see, there are currently about 350 other 2008 santa fe owners who have posted on this site with the same problem, this is an obvious safety defect, and needs to be recalled. Also, I noticed someone else mentioned they change low beams about once a month. We too, are having the same problem. We have changed more headlamps in this car than we have in all of our cars combined over 40 years.

Filed May 20, 2016 · Engine, Lights · 141,000 miles · WI

After 141,000 miles the engine threw a rod, I had heard a clicking noise for a while but was assured it was a normal engine sound after taking it to the dealer. I change my oil regularly and have my slips, the engine completely failed while driving. In the last year and a half I am having to replace approximately one low beam headlamp per month.

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 134,000 miles · MA

When driving and you hit the breaks, the vehicle attempts to stall, or if you use the high or low breams the radio shuts off and the GPS turns on or you loses it all, while on high way way if you use your high or low beams the engine starts to stall then keeps going causing the vehicle behind you have to break quickly to avoid hitting you as you loose all power for a matter of seconds this happen while moving or parked, I mhave installed two new alternators in the past three weeks and the problem coniinues

Filed May 20, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 79,404 miles · WI

The 2008 santa fe traveling between 55& 60mph on divided highway would not slow down when I took my foot off of accelerator. I applied brakes but difficult to make vehicle stop. I think I slowed it down a lot but did not or would not be able to stop. It was like idle got stuck on high! After 20 seconds or so the acceleration returned to normal & I proceeded. It was scary ! First time this happened. I just had it in for service to replace to headlights & missing screw under front seat.

Filed Apr 27, 2011 · Lights · 8,640 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that the headlights, fog lights, license plate lights and taillights all failed at different times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times where the bulbs were replaced but the failure continued. The contact received several citations due to the failures. The failure became worse until no exterior lights were operable. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance and the vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 46,600 and the failure mileage was approximately 8,640.

Filed Sep 29, 2008 · Lights · PA

2008 hyundai santa fe low beam headlights. *nj while driving on an un-lighted or hilly roadway, there was a discernable horizontal line between the lighted roadway and darkness. The consumer could see the line about 3 feet above the road surface. The line also extended off to the side of the vehicle. At times, the lighted roadway was less than 30 feet while going up and down the hilly road. The consumer believed that 30 feet or less was too short of a lighted lane of travel. A visual inspection, showed the low beam headlight was mounted too far behind the front of the vehicle, which caused the hood to block the low beam reflecting up.