2008 Hyundai Elantra
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 29 |
| 1993 | 24 |
| 1994 | 78 |
| 1995 | 112 |
| 1996 | 100 |
| 1997 | 115 |
| 1998 | 55 |
| 1999 | 128 |
| 2000 | 197 |
| 2001 | 315 |
| 2002 | 342 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2004 | 182 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 266 |
| 2008 | 314 |
| 2009 | 251 |
| 2010 | 379 |
| 2011 | 432 |
| 2012 | 651 |
| 2013 | 1310 |
| 2014 | 382 |
| 2015 | 261 |
| 2016 | 292 |
| 2017 | 764 |
| 2018 | 281 |
| 2019 | 247 |
| 2020 | 247 |
| 2021 | 129 |
| 2022 | 99 |
| 2023 | 96 |
| 2024 | 52 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
18% of complaints: steering — 55 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 NORTH IN MARYLAND, A MOTORIST CUT ME OFF SUDDENLY, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, CROSSED ALL LANES, AND ROLLED OVER TWICE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20080505
Also filed under AIR BAGS and SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
16% of complaints: service brakes — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The engine bay of my car caught fire due to the abs pump and module not turning off. I bought a part but never opened the box because I received a piece of mail stating the recall of that exact issue that they would replace all parts damaged.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250820
Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13% of complaints: air bags — 42 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the wife was driving at 30 MPH, the contact's wife was involved in a no-fault accident.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231101
TAKATA RECALL. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND OVER CORRECTED AND HIT A TREE WHICH PUSHED HER INTO ANOTHER TREE. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS WRECKED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171205
Also filed under ENGINE and STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120518
13% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 40 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump.
10% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and horn.
CRASH FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 65,000 MY 2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES WITH 2.0 LITER BETA ENGINES. THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER UNIFORM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SURFACE CONTACT. THIS MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUM
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SUBASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08V429000 — check if this car was fixed
HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO (HPR) IS RECALLING 347 MY 2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES. THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER, UNIFORM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SURFACE CONTACT. THIS MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO PROD
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP SUBASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HPR AT 1-800-981-0188.
Campaign 08V694000 — check if this car was fixed
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A WEIGHT SENSOR DESIGNE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WEIGHT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEG
Campaign 11V143000 — check if this car was fixed
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2007. THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR DETERMINES THE SEAT'S FORE AND AFT
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151
Campaign 11V179000 — check if this car was fixed
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, 2008-2
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 13V113000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 15V100000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 20V061000 — check if this car was fixed
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (55 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (51 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (42 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V429000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V694000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V143000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V179000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V100000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V061000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Hyundai Elantra is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.