7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$580
Average Mileage:
87,550 miles
Total Complaints:
38 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace fuel level sensors and gaskets (21 reports)
  2. not sure (14 reports)
  3. replace both fuel sending units (3 reports)
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Jan 152016

Santa Fe GS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

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

Just bought this car today, payed almost $7,000. Within 10 mins the service engine light came on and my fuel went to empty. Took it to service station, they put on computer. Said it reads almost full tank of gas, but my gauge still shows empty. The manufacturer needs to recall his problem. I don't know when gas will be empty and don't have the money to stick into this. Recall this problem.

- Robin S., bath, PA, US

problem #17

Jun 112015

Santa Fe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

I bought my car used so I don't know if the previous owner had the same issue and had it repaired but I'm not the only person who has reported this problem. This is a manufacture issue and should be fixed by such not the consumer. This is a safety issue and should be taken as such. I also smelt smoke as if my car was on fire while I was driving on the highway on 1/3/15 with my daughter in the car I was near an exit so I quickly pulled over and turned my car off and let it sit for a few minutes before restarting it and continuing home. Unknown what the issue is or what caused the smell. A few moths back I got a letter from Hyundai about some recalls on my car and had them all fixed, in November had a diagnostic done on my battery, alternator and starter and all where good. I'm very concerned because of the distance I have to travel to work.

- charliemo, Saint Louis, MO, US

problem #16

May 052015

Santa Fe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,594 miles

FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY EVEN THE TANK IS FULL OF GAS. COST 850.00 TO REPAIR AND MY CAR INSIDE SMALLS LIKE FUEL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK IS UNKNOWN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY HYUNDAI.

- Celina S., Edmonton, AB, Canada

problem #15

Oct 012015

Santa Fe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

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

I think it is ridiculous how many people are having the fuel sensor issue and Hyundai has done nothing to fix this. This should be a huge recall. This should not be happening. This is the only reason I will NEVER buy another Hyundai again.

- Kathy D., Chicago, IL, US

problem #14

Sep 032015

Santa Fe Limited 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

The issue happened several times and the check engine light would illuminate/ go out... I thought it was not closing the fuel cap properly. The fuel gauge also bounced from empty to proper amount regardless of recently filling the tank. I took it to the dealership and was told it was something with the fuel sensor.

Extended warranty covered it, thankfully.

- Edmund A., Millville, NJ, US

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problem #13

Jul 022015

Santa Fe Limited 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,809 miles

This is the second time these sensors have failed. They first failed at approx. 160km and I had them fixed at a Hyundai dealership. The dealership mechanic damaged the rear seat and stripped the anchoring bolts to the floor. At this time they also performed a clock spring recall ( not asked for) and shorted out the passenger side airbag. Now they want almost $1000 to fix the airbag problem they created!

Since the airbag light is a hard code and is on, I cannot sell the vehicle as "certified" in Ontario. Damned if I will pay Hyundai money to fix a problem one of their mechanics created. They retaped the rear seat floor mounts only after I threatened to contact Transport Canada and Consumer and Corporate Affairs. This was my first and last Hyundai. I have also had to replace two front valve cover gaskets ( one of which fried the alternator).

The car was cheaper than most other similar models and know I know why.

This should be a recall at no cost, there is no point in fixing it if they keep putting in the same junk! I just keep track of my mileage between fill ups. Cheap Cheap Cheap!

- jl898, Battersea, ON, Canada

problem #12

Oct 092015

Santa Fe SE 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

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

Started with an Engine Check light and Battery light. When fuel gauge reached half, gauge took a nose dive to empty and Miles to Empty went from 165-ish to "- - - -". Quickly researched the issue and kept the tank filled every time the gauge got near half.

Took the car into dealer for a recall repair (gasket affecting alternator) and explained the condition.

$400 later, fuel sensor replaced.

Two different service reps at dealer acknowledged this is a common problem. Really?! If it's a common problem then that's a manufacturing/part defect.

- gwoolard, Spring Hill, TN, US

problem #11

May 132013

Santa Fe Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I frequently travel from Lubbock, Texas to Houston, Texas and then back again, which is an 8 - 10 hour drive depending on how fast you drive. I travel alone the majority of the time. When I was making the trip to Houston, the sensor went out. It isn't safe to be stuck on the side of the highway by yourself. I've been managing it pretty well, but a couple weeks ago, I was headed to the store and the engine stopped. I was stuck in the middle of the road because I was at a stop light. Luckily, it wasn't too far from the police station, so they helped me move my car pretty quickly. For the most part, it's just a pain in the ass but it can be dangerous if someone got stranded on the side of the highway. I really wish Hyundai would put a recall out for this. It seems to be effecting a lot of people.

- Michelle F., Missouri City, TX, US

problem #10

Jan 302015

Santa Fe 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

My fuel gauge quit working and the check engine light would come on. The car smelled of gasoline. We had to get it fixed as you was never sure how much gas you had, and had to get the gasoline smell out of our vehicle.

- bdgilly, Fleming, OH, US

problem #9

Jul 272015

Santa Fe 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,836 miles

I have seen hundreds of complaints for the same thing online - this should be a recall as it is a safety issue, I just paid $900 for a repair that is only warrantied for a year.

- Rosemary D., Oakville, Canada

problem #8

Jul 052015

Santa Fe SW 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,400 miles

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

I bought this vehicle in April 2015 from Lynne Hyundai in NJ. Within the first week, I had to put brakes and rotors on it for Pa. inspection and take it back for check engine light with a code the 2nd cylinder not firing. Ok they fixed it. Now the check engine light is on again, keeps coming on with a code po464 for fuel sensor. This is ridiculous. At this point I will never purchase another Hyundai since they do not sell reliable cars nor do they stand behind their products for $13,000 dollars I should not see any problems for some time.

- celinecooper8, Bensalem, PA, US

problem #7

Jun 022015

Santa Fe V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,350 miles

The fuel gauge started showing empty after filling up and the check engine light has been staying on. This is a problem that Hyundai should recall and fix at their expense, because they have inferior parts on their cars. Is this another car company waiting for accidents to happen before a recall is ordered by the government?

Why should consumers need to spend hundreds of additional dollars to correct a malfunction when the problem is occurring at low mileages?

How do we file a complaint with the manufacturer to have this problem resolved?

- bbinnie, Butler, PA, US

problem #6

Apr 132015

Santa Fe 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Gas gauge on my 2008 Santa Fe works intermittently, and the check engine light comes on. At times, the gas gauge will work and then suddenly the gauge will read zero. You never know how much fuel is in the tank. On a recent trip traveling on I-95, the gas gauge read 3/4 full when I left. After traveling about 100 miles, the gauge went to zero, the engine sputtered and quit. I was going 70mph in the middle lane and could not get to either side off the highway. Thank God I wasn't rear ended. Called AAA, and was informed that there was no fuel in the tank. Hyundai needs to recall these Santa Fe's and fix the fuel sensors. Is it gonna take someone getting killed before action is taken.

- Bruce H., Darien Center, NY, US

problem #5

Jan 012014

Santa Fe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,710 miles

My Santa Fe has the common problem of the gas gauge not indicating the proper level of gas. This has been on-going for about a year and a half now. It initially started fluctuating from full to empty and everywhere in between. Presently, the gauge now reads empty all of the time, even when it is full. Also the check engine light is always on. I have to get an emissions test, therefore I have to get this problem fixed. Hyundai, your reputation is going down hill quickly. Put out a recall to get this fixed.

- dunner0911, Waterloo, Ontario, canada

problem #4

Jan 152015

Santa Fe SL 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

43.000 on 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe gas gauge not working. I was going to trade but not now . I had it sold to buddy but no thanks to Hyundai. they are looking at new Ford.

- Harley B., ST. Joseph, MO, US

problem #3

Sep 242014

Santa Fe 4 WD 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,450 miles

Like the other complaints the "Fuel sensor" keeps making the engine light go on. I have this issue and also have a code detector that tells me the code of any problem and what the problem is, so I usually full my gas tank and clear my code detector and go by my way. Not a problem. As of right now $670.00 to get this fixed is ridiculous.

Now a different issue. I had to get emissions tested (State of Ct.) and with my luck the engine light goes on, check with my code detector and it's my fuel sensor "again", I go and get gas, use code detector to reset computer, go the station to get tested and it fails. Person tells me after I tell him my story about the Fuel Sensor", you need to drive the car for a couple of hours before the computer resets. So now I have to pay another $20.00 to get the emission test, again. How many more complaints does Hyundai need before they have a recall??? This is ridiculous.

- Sal C., East Haven, CT, US

problem #2

Dec 022014

Santa Fe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

Filled tank 5 days ago. Drove around town only. Gas gauge shows almost empty, so I go fill tank. It only takes $10. When I get back in car after filling it again, gas gauge shows empty and gas light is on! What's up with this and how much does this cost to fix???

- zigma, Chanute, KS, US

problem #1

Mar 072014

Santa Fe Limited 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,938 miles

Fuel gauge just stopped working - would have just gone with mileage on the odometer or "range" but this is the car that we use to drive the kids and not all drivers are comfortable without a traditional way to tell how much fuel is available.

Costly repair, and only somewhat necessary, but really shouldn't have failed. Ended up replacing both fuel levels sensors and gaskets. Labor was more than the parts by a long shot.

- Kristi S., Calgary, Alberta, canada

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