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: power train
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Dec 14, 2008
WHILE CITY DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR ENGINE RPMS DROP TO AROUND 1000 RPMS OR LESS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME SLUGGISH AND TO VIBRATE. THE ONLY WAY TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM IS TO FORCE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR BY MASHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS KIND OF ACTION COULD FORCE AN UNNECESSARY REAR END COLLISION WITH FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AS WELL AS PERSONAL INJURY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THEY CONCUR THAT IT DOES EXIST. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. THEY BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH A GLITCH IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER SOFTWARE. HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (REF # 3406332) BUT OFFERS NO SOLUTION. I WAS BASICALLY TOLD SORRY THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS AND I'LL JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. IT IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING AS WELL AS DANGEROUS. HOPEFULLY SOMEONE ADDRESS THIS CONCERN BEFORE THEIR IS A SERIOUS INJURY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSTANT SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Nov 13, 2008
I PURCHASED MY 08 ELANTRA THIS SUMMER. DELIVERY DATE 07/05/08. COMPLAINT 1, "CUSTOMER STATES ENGINE WONT START". THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED FUEL PUMP TO CORRECT CONCERN. COMPLAINT 2, INCIDENT 1 INVOICE DATE 09/15/08. I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY CLUTCH. VEHICLE WILL MAKE GRINDING NOISES GOING INTO REV, 1ST, AND 2ND GEAR. CLUTCH WILL NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. WILL STALL OUT WHEN VERY COLD OR RAINING. MAJOR PROBLEMS WHEN AT STOP LIGHTS RAILROAD CROSSINGS(STALLING OUT ON THE TRACKS) OR GOING UP AN INCLINE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO "CORRECT MY CONCERN" THE DEALERSHIP AND ITS SERVICE SHOP HAVE YET TO "DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM OR ANY TO BE EXACT. HOWEVER, MY SERVICE REPORT DATE 09/24/08 STATES "BUT DID FIND HARD TO GET INTO GEAR AT TIMES BLED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND CORRECTED CONCERN." AGAIN ON 10/08/08 DEALER STATED COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM BUT SERVICE INVOICE READS " CUST STATS IN AM TRANS IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND RPM GAGE WILL REV HIGH FOUND HARD SHIFT REPLACED TRANNY GEAR OIL TO CORRECT CONCERN" I TOOK THE CAR BACK ON 11/06/08 BECAUSE IT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AND A FEW NEW ONES. I SPOKE TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP WHO VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. LATER THAT DAY HE CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. LIAR MUCH?I HAVE MY CAR BACK AGAIN TODAY 11/13/08 AND IT IS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS. THESE PROBLEMS CREATE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT STALLS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND AT LIGHTS AND GIVES OFF A WEIRD SMELL LIKE A BURNED CIRCUIT AFTER I GO UPHILL FOR TOO LONG, KEEP IN MIND I'M NOT DRIVING MY CAR INTO THE GROUND. I TOOK A TEST DRIVE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TODAY, THE CAR WAS GIVING ME TROUBLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM AND HE CLAIMS THAT I WAS RIDING THE CLUTCH. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I NEEDED TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM STALLING OUT BUT HE IGNORED ME. I'LL BE GOING BACK ON THE 15TH TO SPEAK TO THE OWNER AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Nov 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JUMP WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT APPLY ANY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT SHUT IT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT WHEN HE RELEASED THE CLUTCH TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR, IT WOULD STALL. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE RESET AND INDICATED LOW VOLTAGE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
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.