2008 Hyundai Accent Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Hyundai Accent carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 59, ranking 8th worst of 18 model years. Airbags are the top problem area at 34% of complaints, with 11 crashes and 9 injuries reported overall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 59/100
- #8 of 18 Accent years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 101
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 25.5 city / 32.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2008 Hyundai Accent problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags34 (34%)
- Visibility & Wipers24 (24%)
- Electrical System15 (15%)
- Brakes12 (12%)
- Engine11 (11%)
- Other9 (9%)
- Structure & Body9 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
- Fuel System2 (2%)
- Seat Belts2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and side-impact crashes at speeds around 40 mph, sometimes causing injuries.
- Owners describe the driver's side sun visor suddenly falling and blocking forward view while driving, leading to loss of control in some cases.
- One owner reported the vehicle igniting into flames while parked in the driveway, with fire department response and no injuries.
- A driver's seat reportedly collapsed backward after a rear-end collision, sending the driver's body forward into the vehicle ahead.
- One owner described the brake pedal traveling to the floorboard while parking, resulting in a crash into a residence.
2008 Hyundai Accent recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System1,712,336 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
2008 Hyundai Accent fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,275
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Accent years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Hyundai Accent reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2008 Accent has a Caution verdict, with a complaint index of 59 that ranks it 8th worst among 18 model years of the Accent. Airbags are the leading concern, making up 34% of the 101 logged complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Hyundai Accent?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 34% of complaints and involved in 7 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 58,692.
- Does the 2008 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 13V113000) for the electrical system involving the stop lamp switch, covering the 2008 Accent among several other Hyundai models.
- How does the 2008 Accent compare to other Accent years?
- The 2008 model's complaint index of 59 is worse than years like 2011 (29) and 2018-2021 (0-24, all rated Best), but better than 2012 and 2013, which scored 94 and 100 with Avoid verdicts.