2008 Hyundai Veracruz Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 6 Veracruz years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Hyundai Veracruz ranks worst of 6 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 230 complaints, mostly tied to the engine (46%) and electrical system (33%). It carries 5 recalls and earns an Avoid verdict.
- Complaints
- 230
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2008 Hyundai Veracruz problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine106 (46%)
- Electrical System75 (33%)
- Brakes64 (28%)
- Airbags19 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (7%)
- Steering15 (7%)
- Other10 (4%)
- Structure & Body9 (4%)
- Fuel System5 (2%)
- Seat Belts4 (2%)
What owners report
- Some owners report unwanted acceleration or the accelerator sticking, paired with rough or delayed shifting.
- Owners describe the accelerator becoming unresponsive after a loud clunk while driving at varying speeds, sometimes tied to a throttle position sensor issue.
- Some describe the vehicle unexpectedly moving into gear or lurching forward when shifted into park, with unresponsive brakes.
- Owners report the ABS module malfunctioning and causing under-hood fires with visible smoke and flames near the battery.
- Some describe airbags failing to deploy during collisions, including crashes involving swerving or road obstacles.
- One owner noted the rear liftgate opening on its own due to a proximity key fob malfunction, even with doors locked.
2008 Hyundai Veracruz recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V705000Nov 13, 2020Engine60,097 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:seals/gaskets
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.
Risk: An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.
- NHTSA 14V415000Jul 8, 2014Engine61,122 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative.
Risk: If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive power while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 121.
- 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 Veracruz fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 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 Veracruz years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Veracruz is the least reliable year in the lineup, ranking worst of 6 model years with a Complaint Index of 100 and 230 complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz?
- Engine problems account for 46% of complaints and electrical system issues account for 33%, followed by brakes at 28%. The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 104,500 miles.
- Does the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 Veracruz, covering the engine valve cover gasket, stop lamp switch, and driver's airbag clock spring assembly. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Hyundai Veracruz should I avoid?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2008 Veracruz worst of 6 model years with a Complaint Index of 100, followed by 2007 at 80. The 2009 Veracruz has the lowest Complaint Index at 0 and a Good verdict.
- Are there fire risks with the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz?
- NHTSA complaints report 2 fires for the 2008 Veracruz, including one case where an ABS module malfunction ignited a fire near the battery while driving at low speed.