2008 Hyundai Sonata
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 |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 11 |
| 1990 | 16 |
| 1991 | 29 |
| 1992 | 22 |
| 1993 | 26 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1995 | 66 |
| 1996 | 23 |
| 1997 | 49 |
| 1998 | 49 |
| 1999 | 124 |
| 2000 | 276 |
| 2001 | 205 |
| 2002 | 319 |
| 2003 | 199 |
| 2004 | 202 |
| 2005 | 165 |
| 2006 | 1047 |
| 2007 | 696 |
| 2008 | 425 |
| 2009 | 460 |
| 2010 | 345 |
| 2011 | 3368 |
| 2012 | 1551 |
| 2013 | 1895 |
| 2014 | 740 |
| 2015 | 1123 |
| 2016 | 717 |
| 2017 | 758 |
| 2018 | 364 |
| 2019 | 153 |
| 2020 | 165 |
| 2021 | 119 |
| 2022 | 88 |
| 2023 | 83 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
28% of complaints: air bags — 119 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20130524
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, 20120501
16% of complaints: visibility — 67 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: engine — 48 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20181016
7% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 30 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON 6/11/12 AS I WAS DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR DROPPED SUDDENLY AS I WAS BRAKING, MY FOREHEAD SLAMMED INTO THE EDGE OF THE VISOR. MY GLASSES PROTECTED MY EYES, BUT MY FOREHEAD IS SORE AND TENDER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120612
7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 30 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 TO
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 B
Campaign 08E021000 — check if this car was fixed
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 O
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 EVALUA
Campaign 08V161000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
Rear Control Arm Failure
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 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.
Campaign 13V354000 — check if this car was fixed
Seat Belt Buckle Electrical Malfunction
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Loss of Motive Power
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (119 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (67 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (48 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08E021000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V161000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V354000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.