YearToAvoid

2008 Hyundai Elantra Brakes Problems

NHTSA has 56 owner complaints about brake problems in the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 18% of all 314 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest brake complaint count among 21 Elantra model years. These complaints report 7 crashes, 6 fires, and 8 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 72,000 miles.

Brakes complaints
56
18% of 314
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
8
Median mileage
72,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Hyundai Elantra brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 19, 2007, latest Feb 18, 2026.

2008 Hyundai Elantra brakes complaints: complaints filed per month6Dec 2007Sep 2010Dec 2012Oct 2013Mar 2016Mar 2020Nov 2021Aug 2025
56 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2007 to Feb 2026; peak Apr 2020 (6).

Brakes recalls for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra

  1. 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.

Brakes complaints by Elantra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200511 (8%)
  2. 200633 (21%)
  3. 200740 (15%)
  4. 200856 (18%)
  5. 200934 (13%)
  6. 201051 (13%)
  7. 201175 (17%)
  8. 2012131 (20%)
  9. 2013315 (24%)
  10. 201498 (26%)
  11. 201555 (21%)
  12. 201619 (7%)
  13. 201753 (7%)
  14. 201815 (5%)
  15. 20196 (2%)
  16. 202015 (6%)
  17. 20218 (6%)
  18. 20228 (8%)
  19. 20239 (9%)
  20. 20243 (6%)
  21. 20252 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have brake problems?
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints about the brake in the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 18% of all complaints for this model year, including 7 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 72,000 miles.
Which Hyundai Elantra year has the most brake complaints?
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra has the most brake complaints (315), compared with 56 for the 2008.
Is there a brake recall for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra concerns the brake: 20V061000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.