2008 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra. Part of Generation 4 — 2007–2010.

20072009
Complaints
423
per 10K Sold
44.7
US Sales
94,720
Crashes
57
Fires
39
Injuries
66
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2008 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#153 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:73,764 mi
Crash-related:4
#233 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:87,673 mi
Crash-related:17
#332 complaints

Gasoline Fuel System

Avg mileage:3,902 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra.

Steering Defects
53
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
73,764
Airbags
33
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
Avg Miles
87,673
Gasoline Fuel System
32
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
3,902
Brakes
32
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Avg Miles
99,181
Electrical Faults
28
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
8
Avg Miles
77,067
Engine Problems
24
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
11
Avg Miles
112,460
Unintended Acceleration
24
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,761
Headlight/Taillight Failures
19
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
67,287
Transmission / Drivetrain
19
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
69,296
Hydraulic Brakes
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
58,894
Engine & Cooling
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
19,671
Suspension Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
94,149
Automatic Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
10,296
Fuel Pump
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
27,591
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
91,636
Electronic Stability Control
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
103,430
Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
123,600
Wipers & Visibility
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
86,797
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
24,900
Air Bags:Side/Window
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Hyundai Elantra

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,677,695 vehicles.

20V061000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~476,111 affected

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

15V100000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~204,768 affected

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.

13V113000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~1,712,336 affected

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

11V143000Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
~188,697 affected

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A WEIGHT SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE RIGHT FRONTAL AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPANTS OF CERTAIN WEIGHTS OCCUPY THE SEAT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT.

11V179000Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
~95,783 affected

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2007. THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR DETERMINES THE SEAT'S FORE AND AFT POSITION AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AT THE PRESSURE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT SEATING POSITION, WITH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IN THE MOST FORWARD SEATING POSITIONS. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE MAY RECEIVE AN UNSTABLE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR SUCH THAT, IN A CRASH THAT REQUIRES DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY AT THE HIGHER PRESSURE THAN INTENDED IF THE SEAT WAS POSITION IN ONE OF THE FORWARD POSITIONS IN WHICH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

Other Hyundai Elantra Years

2008 Hyundai Elantra — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Hyundai Elantra has 423 NHTSA complaints, 57 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 53 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (53 complaints, avg 73,764 mi); Airbags (33 complaints, avg 87,673 mi); Gasoline Fuel System (32 complaints, avg 3,902 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 69,040 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra include 57 crash-related reports, 39 fire reports, 66 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,677,695 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Hyundai Elantra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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