MYRModel Year Report

2008 Hyundai Sonata

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Hyundai Sonata
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
425
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2008 425 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2022 2023: 87 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1990 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2008 425 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2011 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2014 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1995 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2001 2002: 319 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2008 425 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2011 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2013 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2015 2016: 726 complaints 2017: 764 complaints 2017 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2019 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2021 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints

2008: 425 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,377
20121,557
20131,912
2014746
20151,148
2016726
2017764
2018374
2019162
2020178
2021133
202293
202387
202446
202517
20263

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

33% · 139 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was maneuvered abruptly to avoid an object and swayed off the road into a ditch, crashing into concrete.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-24

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that shortly after starting, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a parked vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-01

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-01

Visibility

16% · 67 reports

Service brakes

13% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Engine

11% · 48 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. The following day, the vehicle started making a knocking and rattling noise, similar to metal on metal, while driving 40 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-16

Electrical system

8% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing rear compartment/trunk and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The car was parked and turned off, not being driven and ignited on its own. The entire front end of the vehicle was on fire, according to the fire department it was some type of electrical short that started the fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-27

Oil leaks from front valve cover gasket drips onto the alternator causes electrical system to shut down causing engine to shut down in traffic while in…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-30

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. While driving for approximately three hours, the contact noticed that the trunk ajar warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-06-16

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 425 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2008-02-13Exterior lighting08E021000 Hyundai-Kia is recalling 4,085 replacement headlamp assemblies sold for use on 2006-2008 Sonata and Azera vehicles. These headlamp assemblies may not have been aligned properly and fail to conform…

    Remedy: Hyundai-Kia dealers have been notified and instructed to return their supply to Hyundai motor america. None of the headlamps were sold as retail. As a result, an owner notification letter will not…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2008-06-02Air bags08V161000 Hyundai is recalling 393,308 my 2006-2008 Sonata vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system which features an occupant classification system (Ocs) in the right front seat. The purpose of the…

    Remedy: Dealers will verify that the ocs does not properly recognize a properly seated adult occupant. After verification, dealers will remove the right front seat cushion assembly and ship it to an…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2013-03-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-08-20 Rear Control Arm Failure
  6. 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 →

  7. R
    2013-10-10Suspension13V354000 Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or...

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2014-07-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-12-01 Seat Belt Buckle Electrical Malfunction
  9. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities
  10. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 139 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 67 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 55 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08E021000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08V161000 · Air bags
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V113000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V354000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Hyundai Sonata is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata have?
5 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.