YearToAvoid

2008 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

NHTSA has 62 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 20% of all 314 complaints for this model year. That is #11 highest engine complaint count among 21 Elantra model years. These complaints report 9 crashes, 11 fires, and 4 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 48,000 miles.

Engine complaints
62
20% of 314
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
48,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Hyundai Elantra engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 7, 2008, latest Nov 30, 2025.

2008 Hyundai Elantra engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter62008 Q22009 Q42012 Q42015 Q12017 Q22020 Q12021 Q4
62 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q2 to 2025 Q4; peak 2008 Q3 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Elantra model year

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

  1. 200523 (17%)
  2. 200617 (11%)
  3. 200726 (10%)
  4. 200862 (20%)
  5. 200930 (12%)
  6. 201040 (11%)
  7. 2011109 (25%)
  8. 2012161 (25%)
  9. 2013271 (21%)
  10. 2014180 (47%)
  11. 2015105 (40%)
  12. 2016123 (42%)
  13. 2017303 (40%)
  14. 2018150 (53%)
  15. 2019136 (54%)
  16. 2020117 (47%)
  17. 202125 (19%)
  18. 202213 (13%)
  19. 202322 (22%)
  20. 202413 (24%)
  21. 20254 (18%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have engine problems?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 20% of all complaints for this model year, including 9 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 48,000 miles.
Which Hyundai Elantra year has the most engine complaints?
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has the most engine complaints (303), compared with 62 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.