Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while reversing out of his driveway at 1 MPH, the front end on the passenger's side of the vehicle collapsed almost causing the wheel to detach. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. There was no injury sustained. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the control arm and ball joint had shattered. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the arrival of the replacement part. The manufacturer was contacted and provided the contact a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. Repaired at cost of $1666.67 at Napelton Hyundai 3703 Northlake BLVD Lake Park Florida 33403. The car had a faulty fuel gauge which could NOT be repaired after 3 attempts. …
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after a visual inspection of underneath the vehicle, he observed excessive corrosion on the subframe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed the excessive corrosion of the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 205,000.
2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE- The car goes to the dealer every 6 months for the grease and oil and then the New York State Inspection every November. That car has been up on the lifts numerous times since 2008 and I am now just being informed the undercarriage - driver side frame was rotted. I don't think the frame could have rotted out since my last inspection in November of 2022. I found the recall was from 2017 campaign #947.I was never notified of this recall, I feel Hyundai has put me as risk to be involved in an accident if the undercarriage falls out. If it was a warranty job back in 2017 I would have been covered as I had a 10 year warranty which would have expired November 2018. Hyundai should repair the vehicle at no cost to me as I was never notified of of the recall for service campaign 947 and I would have been covered under the 1O year warranty . …
Rusted out subframe, less than 95k miles. No "salt belt" treatment offered to this vehicle. Vehicle in Ohio since bought. Took to dealer for engine recall, found $1200 subframe replacement bill. Car was garage stored all of the time.
I noticed a Crack in the lower part of the windshield on the driver's side. I was told by Safelite there was rust around the windshield and they would not replace the windshield unless the rust was repaired.
Takata recall my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe has paint that chipped away above the driver side, right above the windshield. The paint still continues to remove itself from the body in chunks. The issue began about a year ago. And I do not expect paint to remove itself with any rust/ rock chips in the area of paint missing. The SUV has 136,800 miles on it, but paint should not be coming off in chunks. I looked online and other individuals had a similar issue with their Hyundai. It's not just a problem with the Santa Fe. It's also sonata's, elantra's and other Hyundai models. The missing pearl white paint now shows bare metal and is now showing signs of surface rust.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact took the vehicle to wright Hyundai (10677 perry hwy, wexford, pa 15090) because he heard squeaking noises coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact was informed that there was a hole in the frame of the vehicle. The contact questioned the dealer about the noises, but no diagnostic test was rendered. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 326790. The manufacturer offered a buyback above the kbb vehicle value. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Driving down a road at night and the sunroof suddenly flew off the top of car. I have been driving a rental since it happens and have contacted Hyundai corp and finally received a call from them on feb tues 27th but have not resolved what they are going to do about this with me or carstar collision center where my car is sitting now. The consumer stated the sunroof was repaired under the recall, the under carriage had not. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the rental car.
I was backing up to turn around and as I was turning my steering wheel I heard and felt very loud pulsing thumps coming from the front of the vehicle. I got out and saw my drivers side front wheel was leaning out from the vehicle. The arm broke of from my wheel also I found out when I had it repaired the axel also broke!! Good thing I wasn't on a highway or driving I or others might have been hurt or worse!!!
Was second vehicle at stop light with foot on brake. Vehicle suddenly lunged forward overriding brake, and hit back of vehicle in front causing damage and possible injury to other driver. Had pedestrians been in front, could easily have run over them. Months prior, twice on same day engine power died while driving. Hyundai replaced throttle position sensor.
Body complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the body & structure of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, 4% of the model year's 541 complaints. The component named most often is body (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.