2008 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 315 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 38 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 41 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleFeb 4, 2020
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. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Campaign 20V061000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemFeb 23, 2015
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. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
Campaign 15V100000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveMar 15, 2011
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 POSITION AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AT THE PRESSURE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT SEATING POSITION, WITH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IN THE MOST FORWARD SEATING POSITIONS. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE MAY RECEIVE AN UNSTABLE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR SUCH THAT, IN A CRASH THAT REQUIRES DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY AT THE HIGHER PRESSURE THAN INTENDED IF THE SEAT WAS POSITION IN ONE OF THE FORWARD POSITIONS IN WHICH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.
A HIGHER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT THAN INTENDED INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY RESULTING FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveMar 15, 2011
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 DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE RIGHT FRONTAL AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPANTS OF CERTAIN WEIGHTS OCCUPY THE SEAT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT.
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY IN CRASHES IN WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG.
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 BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 11V143000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 29, 2008
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 PRODUCE LESS PUMPING PRESSURE THAN REQUIRED TO SUPPLY THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
AS A RESULT, POOR ENGINE STARING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT. OTHER ENGINE PERFORMANCE ISSUES MAY ALSO RESULT AND LEAD TO A CRASH.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpAug 25, 2008
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 PUMP TO PRODUCE LESS PUMPING PRESSURE THAN REQUIRED TO SUPPLY THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
POOR ENGINE STARTING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT. OTHER ENGINE PERFORMANCE ISSUES MAY ALSO RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Oct 14, 2011, crash
DRIVER WAS DOING ABOUT 50 MPH. CAR COMING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION DECIDED TO DO A U TURN IN FRONT OF DRIVER AND HIT FRONT OF CAR. AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF WHICH WAS ODD. HYUNDAI HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND EXPECT US TO KEEP THE CAR FOR AROUND 2 MONTHS AND NOT GET IT FIXED UNTIL THEY GET AROUND TO LOOKING AT IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DELAYING TECHNIQUE AND THEY ARE VERY ANXIOUS TO CANCEL THE OPEN TICKET. AAA WANT TO GET THE CAR FIXED (WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE AS THEY ARE PAYING FOR RENTAL CAR) AND NEED TO MOVE ON. HAVING DONE SOME INVESTIGATION ONLINE, IT LOOKS EVIDENT THAT THERE ARE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA CARS WITH AIRBAGS THAT HAVE NOT WORKED IN SEVERAL ROAD ACCIDENTS. *TR
Air bags, Sep 9, 2011
DRIVER PULLED CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY, DROVE DOWN BLOCK ABOUT 40-50 FOOT, TURNED CAR AROUND AND PULLED UP IN FRONT OF RESIDENCE, PUT CAR IN PARK AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO "CRASH", NO POTHOLES ON STREET, NO RUTS IN DRIVEWAY HE TURNED AROUND IN. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THE COMPUTER SHOWED CAR SUFFERED IMPACT. THEY ALSO STATED CAR HAD SOME MARKS UNDERNEATH. IF THEY ARE CLAIMING THE INCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF HITTING A POTHOLE, WOULDN'T THE AIR BAG HAVE DEPLOYED AT IMPACT NOT 3-5 MINUTES LATER WHEN CAR WAS PUT IN PARK? ALSO, IRONICALLY, THIS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER 5 DAYS EARLIER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE RECALL WORK AND THE INCIDENT. WE LIVE ON A SMALL DEAD END STREET WITH NO POTHOLES AND THERE ARE NO RUTS OR POTHOLES IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE. TWO NEIGHBORS WITNESSED THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER OFFERED UP THAT SINCE THE COMPUTER SAYS THERE WAS IMPACT, THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR US. THEY STATE THE RECALL REPAIR HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING WHEN IT DID. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY SENT SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THEIR REPORT STATES THAT THERE ARE SOME MARKS UNDERNEATH WHICH MY LOCAL MECHANIC SAYS MOST CARS THAT DRIVE ON OUR ROADS DISPLAY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND NO DAMAGE TO THE FRAME, THE RADIATOR OR ANYTHING ELSE. THE COST OF FIXING THE CAR IS ESTIMATED AT $1793.50. I HAVE A $500.00 DEDUCTIBLE AND I HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE AT MY OWN COST. MY HUSBAND, THANK GOD, SUFFERED NO MAJOR INJURIES. WE ARE TERRIFIED TO GET BACK IN THIS CAR. I TOTE AROUND MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE. I AM HOPING YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS. I WOULD HATE FOR ANYONE ELSE TO GO THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND MAYBE NOT BE SO LUCKY AS MY HUSBAND WAS. *TR
Air bags, Jun 2, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 11V143000 AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE FAILURE WOULD NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 441870, AND STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINING ILLUMINATING WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 99,500.
Air bags, May 5, 2010, crash
DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH OF TWO VEHICLES . THE VEHICLE WITH FAILED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS TRAVELING APPROX 45-55 MPH SECOND VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN SAME DIRECTION TRAVELING EST 10 -0 MPH IN THIS REAR END CRASH. *TR
Air bags, Jan 11, 2010, crash
ON TUESDAY , JAN. 5TH 2010 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. I SUFFERED NECK AND LOWER BACK INJURIES. THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BY A MINIVAN GOING ~35MPH AND MY SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE AND WERE POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Jan 8, 2010, crash
2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS PROCEEDING NORTH WHEN IT HIT A HYDROPLANE ON AN UPGRADE WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES ON DOWNGRADE TO NO AVAIL. CAR CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR, WENT INTO A RESIDENTIAL YARD AND THROUGH RESIDENCE FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A HALT ON UPGRADE OF RESIDENCE YARD. FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED FACE, HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES. CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
Air bags, Feb 28, 2009
THERE WAS NO PARTICULAR INCIDENT RELATED TO A CRASH. TWICE SINCE 10/08 THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT HAS GONE ON FOR NO REASON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE HYUNDAI DEALER SAID THE FIRST TIME THAT THE WIRING WAS LOOSE FROM THE TIME OF INSTALLATION MOST LIKELY, AND THEY TIGHTENED THE WIRES. SECOND INCIDENT WAS 2 WEEKS AGO. THIS TIME THEY TELL US WE HAVE A FAULTY HARNESS AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE PART WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY ON MANUFACTURER BACKORDER. THEY TELL US THE ISSUE IS SO UNCOMMON THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN IT BEFORE. JUST DOING A SEARCH ONLINE I SEE THE RECENT RECALL FOR SIMILAR AIRBAG ISSUES ON THE 01-02 ELANTRAS, SO THIS MAKES ME NERVOUS. PLEASE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE WITH THE 08S AS WELL! THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT, ESPECIALLY WHILE WAITING FOR THE NEW HARNESS..BUT IN THE LONG RUN I WORRY ABOUT FUTURE FAILURES IF AN ACCIDENT DID OCCUR. *TR
Air bags, Jan 8, 2009, crash
THE CAR IS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. MY WIFE AND MOTHER WERE IN A HEAD-ON CRASH WHICH TOTALED HER CAR. THE OTHER AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WE SPECIFICALLY PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE OF ITS SAFETY RATINGS. THE AIRBAGS IN THE OTHER PERSON'S CAR DEPLOYED BUT NOT MY WIFE'S. WE ARE VERY UPSET AND CONCERNED. MY WIFE'S MOTHER WAS HURT. *TR
Air bags, Aug 4, 2008, crash
ON MAY 26 2008 MY WIFE AND I WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ANOTHER CAR RAN THE RED LIGHT AND HIT US. MY WIFE AND I WERE INJURED AND OUR CAR WAS TOTALED. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF ON OUR BRAND NEW 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WE WERE LATER TOLD BY HYUNDAI THAT PASSENGER AIRBAGS DON'T ALWAYS GO OFF BECAUSE OF WEIGHT VARIATIONS IN SOME ADULTS. MY WIFE IS 5' 4" AND HER WEIGHT IS NORMAL FOR HER HEIGHT. HYUNDAI NEVER TOLD US OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE POTENTIAL BUYER LIMITATIONS INVOLVING SAFETY FEATURES! MANY UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED WITHOUT THIS KNOWLEDGE. ALSO THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE POTENTIAL BUYER PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NOT AFTER! WE PURCHASES A SECOND HYUNDAI ( 2008 TUCSON) AND THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ITS PASSENGER AIRBAG - IN FACT IT WAS DURING THIS REPAIR THAT HYUNDAI INFORMED US OF THE WEIGHT ISSUE INVOLVING AIRBAGS. *TR UPDATED 01-26-09 *BF UPDATED 01/2609. *JB UPDATED 07/16/10.*JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 13, 2008, crash
I HAD A NEW 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 3,000 MILES ON IT. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. IT WAS A DIRECT FRONT HIT AT ABOUT 40-45 MPH. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN TO HOLD EITHER MYSELF OR MY PASSENGER BACK. THE AIR BAGS FOR MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE (FIRE DEPT, MECHANICS, TOW YARD, POLICE) STATED REPEATEDLY THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS NOT TO WORK. *TR
Power train, Air bags, Jul 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IN HER VEHICLE WAS DEACTIVATED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. SHE CONSULTED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 11, 2008. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SHE WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH MAXIMUM PRESSURE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO GAIN SPEED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 1,700.
Air bags, Jun 1, 2008, crash
WHILE ON VACATION IN MICHIGAN, MY SPOUSE AND I WERE HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON US 127 AT 35MPH, CROSSING OVER ADDISON RD (IN THE TOWN OF ADDISON) WHEN THE OTHER DRIVER CROSSED THE ROAD HITTING US. (HE WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.) HE STRUCK US ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND DENTED THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TO THE POINT THAT NEITHER DOOR COULD BE OPENED, AND BUCKLED THE REAR FENDER. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT IT BLEW OUT ALL THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOWS, BLEW OUT THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE, BENT THE B-PILLAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND RIPPED THE TOP HINGE COMPLETELY OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR. IT ALSO CREASED THE TOP MIDDLE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ROOF. NONE OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND WE FELT THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, MY SPOUSE INCURRED A BUMP, 2 ' IN DIAMETER BY ' TALL, ON THE BACK RIGHT REAR SIDE OF HER HEAD. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Electric, May 5, 2008
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. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE. AS A RESULT, I RECEIVED A FRACTURED STERNUM. *TR