Three problems related to engine clicking and tapping noises have been reported for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2008 Santa Fe.
My 2008 Santa Fe with 109,000 miles suddenly shut off on me when approaching a stop sign. The stop sign was on a slight turn and I never realized it until I had no power steering and saw all the lights lit on the dash. I put car in park and it restarted with no issues. Later that day I went to start the car and engine made a loud clunk sound and car shook for a second. I decided not to drive it that day. It has been 3 days since the first shut down and so far the car has been running like normal. Called Hyundai and made note of my complaint but didn't seem to know about this issue or so maybe they are not at liberty to say if they have. They never gave me an answer except to take it to a dealer to see if they can diagnosis the problem. I see recall was put out for the 2010-2012 model years but not for older models.
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.
I was driving to a stop light on a down hill slope with my whole family in the car when all of the sudden my car turned off. All at once my check engine light came on, my battery light came on, and I couldn't get the car to re-start. I turned on the emergency flashers and at the middle of a busy intersection I tried to restart my car but nothing happened. A few moments later I tried again and it started but it wouldn't let me accelerate almost at all (through an intersection!). There was also a clicking sound coming from the front of the car. I pulled into a parking lot, afraid if I was going to be able to drive anywhere, turned the car off, waited about five minutes, restarted it, successfully. I let it idle for a while unsure what else to do. I proceeded to drive home with no other incident. The clicking was off and on the entire drive home but has since gotten quieter.