Five problems related to side/window air bag 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.
Clock spring contact had to be replaced on the driver side of my Hyundai sante fe 2008 built on April 03, 2008. The NHTSA recall did not go far enough and ended March 20,2008. The driver side air bag continuously lit up indicating a problem. The clock spring contact had to be replaced and I was charged for the replacement. The recall should be extended beyond March 20,2008 so that my car is included in the recall since this is a severe safety issue which may have caused multiple deaths. .
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning lamp illuminated, indicating that the air bag was turned off while the seat was occupied. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger side air bag sensor needed to be re-calibrated to the lowest weight limit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12v354000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 41,000.
See attached email updated 06/04/2013 the occupant classification system (osc) does not consistently recognize small-statured adults, causing the passenger side air bag to deactivate when such person occupy the front seat. Also, there were problems with the transmission, a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle, the vehicle shutting down, an issue with the throttle cable, and a whining sound upon acceleration.
Since I bought my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe and pulled it off the lot the passenger side airbag does not register me. I am 5'3" 105 lbs. Rarely does it ever work and if it does its only for a minute. Took to dealership and they state there is nothing they can do about it. Lady stated she has heard complaint numerous time and Hyundai wont do anything about it. They tell you to restart the car and sit with perfect posture. This still does not work and even if it does move an inch and it turns back off. I feel very unsafe in the passenger side and I have read numerous complaints about this from other consumers. Its like Hyundai is waiting for someone to die before they do anything about it!.
Passenger side air bag disengages frequently with adult in seat. Dealership says it is functioning as it is supposed to . . . . . . Not acceptable. This is not a safe situation.