2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,028 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 9 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #55

Nov 302012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The fuel level sensors began to malfunction as soon as the 30 day warranty from the dealership expired, right around the 60K mile mark in 2012. We began to see that the fuel gage would not indicate whether or not there was any fuel, and the check engine light began to come on, and eventually stay on. We began to have to count miles to ensure we didn't run out of gas and become stranded. I checked online and found a significant amount of complaints for the same issue, yet no recall from Hyundai. This year, we need to have a smog check in order to renew our dmv registration. Well, since the check engine light is permanently lit, the car did not pass the smog check. The only reasons listed on the diagnostic test were the 3 fuel level sensor malfunctions: P0463, P0464 and P2068. So, now we are forced to pay an enormous amount of money to fix it in order to successfully complete the registration with the dmv. Not only is the unfair, it is unethical for Hyundai to not issue a recall for something that is clearly a manufacturing issue, and nothing to do with the "normal wear and tear" that comes with owning a vehicle. This problem has been continuous since November of 2012 until today, October 24, 2014. If they do not issue a recall, I will be pursuing a lawsuit against Hyundai for the reimbursement of the cost to fix this problem.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #54

Jul 092014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 74,209 miles
The fuel sensor on my 2008 Santa Fe is malfunctioning and not reporting the actual level of fuel in the tank. It is also causing the empty fuel indicator and the check engine light to stay lit all the time, so not only do I have to manually measure my fuel usage by miles driven, I also have no idea of any potential engine problems since that light/warning system has effectively been rendered useless. Hyundai dealerships are currently offering to fix the problem for about $800 and have the parts readily on hand since the problem is occurring so frequently now. This appears to be a defect with the earlier Santa Fe models and considering the potential consequences of accidentally running out of fuel or having an engine problem and not knowing it until it's too late, a recall should be issued.

- Walled Lake, MI, USA

problem #53

Jul 012014

Santa Fe

  • 75,000 miles
As is the case with many others filing complaints, we too have the defective fuel level sensor in our 2008 Santa Fe. It has also resulted in the check engine light being on at all times. The fuel gauge shows an empty tank at all times. We are forced to rely on the trip odometer to know when we need fuel.

- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA

problem #52

Sep 012014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fuel gauge warning light goes on and off regardless of amount of fuel in tank.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #51

Sep 022014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 72,869 miles
Gas gauge would not register the amount of gas in the tank. Reading on this there seems to be a lot of failures on the Santa Fe around the 72,000 mark.

- Prospect , CT, USA

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problem #50

Aug 012014

Santa Fe

  • 57,000 miles
The fuel gauge started bouncing from full to empty and we keep our tank above half most of the time. We went in to our local dealer and they said it is "normal" for fuel sensors to go out this early. Upon further pressing they said that it is happening on a lot of the Santa Fe's, but there was no recall at this time. 500-600 dollars to replace the sensors. For now we are just running it while filling up every time and keeping track of our mileage. These need to be recalled and fixed.

- Nampa, ID, USA

problem #49

May 012014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Gas gauge fluctuates, and reads empty even when tank is nearly full. Appears to be the common fuel sensor failure that is well-documented on these vehicles. One forum suggested that everyone should report failures to NHTSA to apply pressure for a Hyundai recall, so add me to the list of frustrated owners.

- Manchester, MO, USA

problem #48

Sep 112014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
I see I am not the only one with a fluctuating fuel gauge sensor. I have been having this problem for the past six months. The sensor is always going up and down causing the fuel light to come on as well as well as the ck engine light. The code always indicates it is the fuel gauge sensor that is failing. According to what I have read, this car has two sensors located under the back seats. The dealer said it would cost me around $700 to get one repaired, but what's the use if they replace it with another Hyundai part that is defective as done to another complaintant on this site. This defect is obiviously a result of manufacturing so why does Hyundai delay in getting this issue resolved by doing a recall. This is also the result of Hyundai not taking due diligence in making sure they were installing a quality part. So why do we have to pay for their negligence?

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #47

Apr 092014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
Shortly after purchasing my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe my check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership and they said my fuel sensors to my sending unit needed replaced. Upon doing research I have discovered lots of other people with my same vehicle have had the same problem. What does it take for this part to be recalled" also after being referred to this website from my local news station I see that my complaint is one of the most common complaints on here also. Why has this sensor not been recalled"

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #46

Dec 102013

Santa Fe

  • 80,697 miles
Like many other complaints I have read, the fuel gauge indicated empty when it was full. It would jump erratically from full to empty and in between. Cost over $550 to fix.

- Spring Lake Heights, NJ, USA

problem #45

Jun 282014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check engine light came on and took the car to the nearest dealership and the mechanic read the codes and said that it was the fuel sensor (fuel level sender). Since then, the fuel gauge continuously moves giving an inaccurate fuel level. I have researched this problem and found out that many others are having the same problem and the Hyundai company is not willing to do a recall on the parts affected. What does it take to get a company to recall a defective part?

- Wagener, SC, USA

problem #44

Jun 202014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 116,500 miles
After filling the gas tank at the pump and then starting the engine, I noticed that the dashboard fuel gauge indicated empty, with the "low fuel" indicator light on. Driving around for 5 miles did nothing to move the needle. After a day or so the gauge slowly worked its way up to register a full tank. This same problem re-occurred several times over 6-8 weeks, making it very difficult to know how much fuel was actually in the gas tank. At one point the "check engine" indicator came on and stayed on for a day and a half before turning off. Upon taking the car to the Hyundai dealership and explaining the problem, I was told immediately, before they even inspected the car, exactly what was wrong. The service manager said it was the fuel level sensors and that they've replaced "hundreds"..."it's a common problem with Hyundai". replacing two sensors cost a jolting $650, but I couldn't ignore the safety risk of never knowing when, where, and how I might run out of gas. When I asked why there hasn't been a recall issued, the sales manager said that there has to be a "safety issue" involved.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #43

Feb 142014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
Check engine light came on and the reading came back as a bad fuel sensor. Sounds like this is a common problem yet Hyundai is not willing to recall. Despite trying to keep track of how much gas I have I did once run out in the middle of an intersection and was lucky enough to get to a safe location. Hyundai knew what they were doing when they installed these, there's non point in replacing it without replacing the fuel pump as well. This car has given me more issue than any other car I've owned. First a cylinder misfire which was a bad coil pack, then I had to replace a purge valve and now this. I'm selling it back to the dealership asap.

- Galloway, OH, USA

problem #42

Jun 012014

Santa Fe

  • 62,000 miles
The fuel level sensor in the tank began to fail, causing the fuel gauge to behave erratically. Fuel levels would swing wildly from full to empty. The cel was thrown, but not until after the erratic behavior was observed. Without a cel to warn of a problem, the driver may think they have fuel when they do not and potentially run out of gas. This would be a serious safety hazard at highway speeds. We've spoken with Hyundai and this is not a recall or even a tsb issue, despite the fact that the problem is well documented among owners of this vehicle. The problem is common and this vehicle should be recalled.

- Carmel, IN, USA

problem #41

Jun 092014

Santa Fe

  • 112,000 miles
My 2008 gas gauge is not working properly or reading the correct levels of fuel. When I fill the tank up, the low level indicator light illuminates and stays on for several days. The check engine light also illuminates. After several miles of driving (few days), both lights will go off and gas gauge works properly. Around the half tank mark, the indicator light comes back on showing empty and check engine light appears. I've taken the vehicle to dealership and they quoted nearly $800 to fix this problem. Even though they admitted that this is a common occurrence, there is no recall"?" this is very dangerous and should be investigated.

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

problem #40

Jun 252014

Santa Fe

  • 18,000 miles
6/25/14, on interstate with cruise control at 65mph. Depressed the throttle pedal to pass a vehicle. Throttle stuck wide open. Applied brakes but kept on increasing speed. Depressed throttle pedal several times but no change. Turned cruise control off, no change. Turned key to acc and then back to on but no change. Turned key to acc and waited several seconds then back on. Throttle pedal started to respond. Pulled over and checked if floor mat was jamming throttle pedal. No problem, no jamming. Problem repeated again. Continued to destination and tried cruise control but it would not set. Turned cruise control off. SUV was parked overnight at destination. On return trip throttle and cruise control worked fine. 6/30/14, took SUV to ray brandt Hyundai, they found no codes set and could not duplicate the problem. It seems if both the throttle is wide open and the brakes are being applied then a code should be set.this is a major safety problem! the site below documents 3 additional occurrences:

- Harvey, LA, USA

problem #39

Jun 022014

Santa Fe

  • 74,500 miles
The check engine light came on in the car, I took it to be diagnosed and it is a failure of the fuel level sensor. Apparently Hyundai is well aware of this very common problem and refuses to issue a recall. Additionally, the entire assembly is only sold together, therefore this is a fix that will cost at least $800 which I cannot afford. So now I just have to drive around with the check engine light on at all times, having no idea how much fuel I have or if any other engine issues have come up. Shame on Hyundai.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #38

May 122014

Santa Fe

  • 90,000 miles
My check engine light came on and when I got it checked it was for fuel level sensor. I also noticed shortly after I filled up with gas the gauge would go down and when 1/2 or less it would drop and gas light would come on. Took to dealership, while I was pulled into service center, car stopped and running, service tech saw gas gauge go down and light came on even though I had at least 3/4 gas. No longer covered under warranty and quoted me $605 to fix. Should be a recall since so many other owners have the same problem!!

- Smithfield, VA, USA

problem #37

Jun 042014

Santa Fe

  • 80,000 miles
The fuel gauge doesn't seem to be working properly. When I fill up the tank it works fine but when its about half a tank, the low fuel light turns on and gauge reads empty.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #36

May 042014

Santa Fe

  • 85,000 miles
Fuel gauge and fuel sensor not working properly. The gauge registers less fuel than is in the tank. The gauge will indicate that the tank is empty when there's more than 1/2 a tank left, and the malfunction indicator light comes on. The issue occurs sporadically. It will register a false reading for several consecutive days with the warning light on even after filling up the gas tank, and then some days it will self correct and the warning light will turn off.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

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