Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the contact stated that after depressing the brake pedal the cruise control briefly failed to disengage. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The Electronic Power Control (EPC) and power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the stop lamp switch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V113000 (Exterior Lighting); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 195,000.
Reference Number: 11520065 This is a follow up to a previously submitted incident involving this same vehicle. My first submission was May, 2023, This vehicle experienced the exact same hazardous condition on February 26, 2024. on I-75 south. After driving on an interstate highway for about 1 hour, I noticed a traffic backup and proceeded to slow down as the traffic was nearly stopped. As I slowed my car down to nearly a complete stop, the engine suddenly surged forward with high rpm's as though the accelerator was pushed to the floor. I immediately pressed on the brake pedal as hard as I could to stop the car from surging forward and then quickly decided to put the transmission into neutral so I would not hit the car in front of me. The car eventually stopped surging and may have stalled. I finally got the car to move again by turning off the ignition and restarting it. …
This vehicle has developed a speed sensitive "whirring" sound while the transmission is engaged. We initially thought it was a tire noise, but did not go away when new tires were installed. The dealership told us it was the drive belt rubbing against the cover, but further investigation by another repair facility found no excessive wear on the belt, and no indication of contact with the cover. The noise is actually coming from the transmission, and is exactly as described in recall 102 which applies to 2010 models. I plan to start a fight with Hyundai over this repair as the transmissions are the same on the 2008 models as the 2010.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a whining noise. Also, when the contact shifted from first to second or from third to fourth gear, the transmission shook violently and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After the repair, the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,432.
Hyundai's slave cylinder is a faulty part known about online and in mechanic shops. It has failed twice in 65,000 miles and caused additional damage. It recently failed while driving as the vehicle slowed to turn and shifted to accelerate again. The clutch was damaged by this part and we had a $2,000 bill. There was nothing wrong with the clutch prior to this and the dealership even informed us it was damaged by the slave cylinder. Hyundai doesn't consider the slave cylinder "part of the powertrain warranty" and is denying our claim for reimbursement.
After several hours of normal highway driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power as the engine computer entered "limp home" mode. Pressing the accelerator had no effect. Diagnosed as throttle position sensor failure. This problem occurred several times, with an engine restart clearing the problem temporarily. While these incidents did not result in a crash, they could easily have, depending on traffic circumstances.
On highway, car would no longer accelerate and went into limp mode causing me to slow to 50 MPH and not be able to keep up with speed if traffic. Pulled over, dash lights flashed and car would not restart. Oil had leaked out of valve cover gasket all over the alternator causing the car to malfunction and become inoperable.
Going down interstate at 70 miles an hour and car shut off put car in nutral and restarted . Then the next day driving to work and car cut off again while driving did same and restarted . Went on line and found out this has ben a problem in these cars for years and am afraid for me and my children s lives
The rear differential caught on fire. I heard a clunk on entering reverse in the morning. After 35 miles other drivers alerted me that my car was on fire. After pulling off the road us 90 in newton ma the fire dept was called after the fire went out on it's own. The vehicle was not destroyed.
The car will not shift into drive. Very hard to shift and when I finally got it into "drive", the transmission does not engage. Unable to move the vehicle forward. It will go into reverse, but not drive. Shifter becomes harder to move after attempting to move it several times. The car was stationary.
Transmission complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, 4% of the model year's 541 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.