2008 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
65/100
#8 most-complained of 21 Elantra years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra has a complaint index of 65, ranking 8th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It has 314 complaints, 7 recalls, and its top problem area is the Engine at 20% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 314
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 38 / 23
- Injuries / deaths
- 41 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 24.5 city / 33 hwy
Top 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine62 (20%)
- Brakes56 (18%)
- Steering55 (18%)
- Electrical System53 (17%)
- Fuel System45 (14%)
- Airbags38 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain29 (9%)
- Other26 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while shifting into drive, in one case ending in a collision and fire.
- Steering has vibrated or locked at low mileage, in one instance causing loss of control and a head-on collision.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes despite occupants being properly seated.
- Engines have stalled or shut off unexpectedly during turns or at slow speed, sometimes with no warning.
- Brakes have gone soft and traveled to the floor at low speed, requiring the emergency brake to stop the car.
2008 Hyundai Elantra recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V061000Feb 4, 2020Brakes476,111 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
- NHTSA 15V100000Feb 23, 2015Steering204,768 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
- 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 Elantra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,350
- 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 Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2008 Elantra a complaint index of 65 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years of the Elantra. Engine, brake, and steering complaints are the most common concerns.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine problems lead at 20% of complaints (62 total), followed by Brakes and Steering at 18% each, and Electrical System at 17%.
- Does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Elantra, covering brakes, steering, electrical system, airbags, and fuel system components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2008 Elantra compare to other model years?
- The 2008 model's complaint index of 65 is worse than 2005-2007 (all Good verdicts) but better than 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2017, which all carry Avoid verdicts with higher complaint indexes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
- The EPA rates the 2008 Elantra at 27.5 mpg combined (24.5 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,350.