MYRModel Year Report

2008 Hyundai Elantra

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
314
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2008 314 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2012 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 384 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 283 complaints 2019: 250 complaints 2020: 252 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1995 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2001 2002: 342 complaints 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2008 314 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2010 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2013: 1,312 complaints 2013 2014: 384 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2019: 250 complaints 2019 2020: 252 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2025 2026: 2 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1994 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1996 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2000 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2006 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2008 314 2009: 253 complaints 2010: 379 complaints 2010 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2012 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 384 complaints 2014 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2018 2019: 250 complaints 2020: 252 complaints 2020 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2024 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026

2008: 314 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199478
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009253
2010379
2011433
2012652
20131,312
2014384
2015262
2016293
2017767
2018283
2019250
2020252
2021131
2022101
202397
202454
202522
20262

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

18% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2008-05-05

Also filed under Air bags and service brakes, electric

Service brakes

16% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2025-08-20

Also filed under Electrical system

Air bags

13% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2023-11-01

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, 2017-12-05

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, 2012-05-18

Fuel system, gasoline

13% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump.

Electrical system

10% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and horn.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 314 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2008-07-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-09-03 Engine stalling - fuel pump failure
  3. R
    2008-09-15Fuel system, gasoline08V429000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-02-09Fuel system, gasoline08V694000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2011-04-08Air bags11V143000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2011-04-08Air bags11V179000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2013-04-22Exterior lighting13V113000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2015-04-14Steering15V100000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2020-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic20V061000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 42 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08V429000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 08V694000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 11V143000 · Air bags
  • Recall 11V179000 · Air bags
  • Recall 13V113000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V100000 · Steering
  • Recall 20V061000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.