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: service brakes
51 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Mar 24, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FRACTURED AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,443.
Service brakes, Sep 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Apr 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY BURNING OUT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE BRAKE LAMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 29, 2014
THE GAS PEDAL GOT "STUCK" IN THE DOWN POSITION WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN A PROBLEM BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, PASSING/MERGING/ACCELERATING IN ORDER TO GET ONTO AN ONRAMP WHICH CURVED SLIGHTLY TO GO INTO ANOTHER MAIN HIGHWAY. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN A BIT FOR THE RAMP, NOTHING HAPPENED. MY CAR CONTINUED TO GO AT THE SAME SPEED. I CONTINUED TO BRAKE, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I SLID MY FOOT OVER THE GAS PEDAL AND COULD TELL IT WAS STILL COMPLETELY "DOWN" AND MAKING THE CAR ACCELERATE AT FULL CAPACITY. I THEN GLANCED DOWN TO CONFIRM THAT THE PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE PEDAL, THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT STUCK UNDERNEATH, NOR WAS IT ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN. I CLICKED MY HAZARDS ON DURING THE PROCESS BECAUSE SINCE IT WAS AN ONRAMP, THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. AS I CONTINUOUSLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR ONLY SLOWED DOWN APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH TOTAL, BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN, THEREFORE THE BRAKES WERE TRYING TO WORK AGAINST THE FULL POWER OF THE ACCELERATION. ONCE THE PASSENGER REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, HE HELPED BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THIS HELPED SLOW THE CAR, AND I THEN PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN HIGHWAY ONRAMP. THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO REACT QUICK ENOUGH TO GO AROUND AND NOT HIT THE CAR. I TRIED TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO HELP DIAGNOSE THIS ISSUE AND HAVE MORE INFORMATION TO TELL HYUNDAI. ONCE ON A STRAIGHTAWAY WITHOUT OTHER CARS NEARBY, I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND SURE ENOUGH I WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE AND THE PEDAL GOT STUCK AGAIN. UPON TRYING TO RECREATE IT A 3RD TIME, IT DID NOT GET STUCK AND SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. BUT IT DID GET STUCK 2 OUT OF THE 3 TIMES. IT WAS TERRIFYING TO NOT BE ABLE TO STOP. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 12, 2014
THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS NOTED TO BE ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A BROKEN WIRE IN THE MAIN ENGINE HARNESS. THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Oct 30, 2013, crash
IF SOMEONE HAD NOTIFIED ME ABOUT MY NEW CAR AND ITS PROBLEMS I WOULD OF NOT BEEN IN THREE DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS FRONT END ALL OF THEM AND CHECK FOR YOUR SELF MY RECORD IN DRIVING WAS PERFECT LAST TEN YEARS OR MORE WHEN I HAD MY OLDER CAR IN YEAR AND NO ACCIDENTS .. HI I HAVE BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN DEC OF 2012 A FEW MONTHS GOES BY AND I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ,, KEEP IN MIND BEFORE I HAD A JETTA OLD MODEL NO ACCIDENTS SINCE THE DAY I GOT MY LICENSE .. I FELT WHEN I TRIED TO JAM ON BRAKES TO NOT GET IN ACCIDENT MY BRAKES STOP ALITTLE BUT LUNGED FORWARD I PUSHED VERY HARD STILL AGAIN STOP LUNGED FORWARD .. NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER IT WAS FIXED AND I SPRAINED MY NECK ANOTHER FRONT END DAMAGE OCCURRED BRAKES AT FAULT BECAUSE PUSHED HARD TO STOP IN SUDDEN ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY DEFECTS OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD LET ME THINK BREAKS ARE NOT PERFECT AS THEY SHOULD BE .. I HAD A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD SINCE I WAS SIXTEEN FOR THE MOST PART LAST TEN YRS NO ACCIDENTS . BUT AS SOON AS I PURCHASE THIS ELANTRA THREE ACCIDENTS I WILL NOT BE PUNISHED FOR REASON I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALLS . *TR
Service brakes, Engine, Aug 30, 2013
THE CRUISE CONTROL ON HYUNDAI ELANTRA FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHILE I DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH DESPITE REPEATEDLY PUSHING THE "CANCEL" AND "OFF" BUTTONS. FIRM BRAKING ALSO FAILED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I MANAGED TO STOP ONLY AFTER PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND APPLYING HEAVY/MAXIMUM BRAKING. SMOKE. TIRES DESTROYED. SCARY! MY CHILD AND I ALMOST DIED. THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. KIA AND HYUNDAI RECENTLY RECALLED 1.9 MILLION VEHICLES TO FIX THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, THIS INCIDENT SUGGESTS THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR HAD THE RECALL PROCEDURE COMPLETED ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT OCCURING.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 18, 2013, crash
TRAVELING 38-40 MPH DAMP ROAD, SWERVED TO MISS ANIMAL. FISH TAIL, SPUN APPROXIMATELY 270 DEGREES; HIT TREE ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR; BROKE PASSENGER WINDOW. PUSHED FORWARD, HIT TREE IN FRONT QUARTER PANEL PASSENGER SIDE THEN AGAIN HIT TREE DIRECTLY FRONT CENTER OF CAR. ESC DID NOT WORK (RECEIVED ESC RECALL WHEN GOT HOME FROM ACCIDENT); BRAKES LOCKED UP (ABS DIDN'T WORK); NEITHER FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR TOTALED: DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER; ENGINE HOOD; FRONT WINDSHIELD; PASSENGER DOOR; PASSENGER WINDOW; FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BENT IN TOWARDS CAR. PASSENGER RECEIVED LACERATIONS FROM BROKEN GLASS, DRIVER & PASSENGER RECEIVED SEVERAL BUMPS, BRUISES, SORE NECKS, SORE BACKS. HAVE ANOTHER HYUNDAI WITH INTERMITTENT TPS LIGHT - DEALER WONT FIX... HUGE CONCERN WITH SAFETY! *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Apr 3, 2013
CAR FOLLOWING ME NOTIFIED ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I HAVE CHANGE MY BRAKE BULBS 3 TIMES LAST YEAR AND 1 TIME BEGING OF THIS YEAR. STOP AND CHECK ALL MY BULBS AND FUSE THEY WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT 2008 ELANTRA'S WERE NOT COVERED BY THEIR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR A DIGNOSTIC THAT WILL COST $110. THEY TOLD ME THAT EVEN IF THEIR WERE A RECALL, THE RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT MY CAR AND IS NOT IN THEIR DATABASE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 21, 2013
CAR FOLLOWING ME NOTIFIED ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. STOP LAMP FUSE I WAS CHECKED AND WAS GOOD AS WELL AS BOTH REAR STOP LAMP BULBS. I INSPECTED THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH NEAR THE BRAKE AND FOUND IT TO STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. AFTER PRESSING THE SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES THE SWITCH WORKED FOR A FEW TIMES AND THEN STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT 2008 ELANTRA'S WERE NOT COVERED BY THEIR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR REPAIR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 2, 2013
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, INCHING ALONG AT LOW SPEED FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILES; STOPPING AND STARTING ALL THE WAY, SUDDENLY DURING ONE OF THESE STOPS, THE MOTOR STARTED TO REV AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, WHILE PARKING THE CAR IN A PARKING SPACE, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAD ALREADY STOPPED AND WAS PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI GARAGE WHERE THEY DID ROAD TESTING. COMPUTER TESTS SHOWED NO CODES; SO NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. WHEN THE TECH LINE OF THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON THIS MATTER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO CASES RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM ON FILE. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SPORADICALLY SINCE 2010. LAST REPORTED AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM TO THE HYUNDAI GARAGE EARLY IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012. NO ONE AT HYUNDAI WANTS TO HELP ME. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 13, 2013
ON 02/12/2013 I OBSERVED THE BRAKES LIGHTS ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TO BE OUT. I CHECKED THE FUSES, ALL WERE GOOD. A PRIVATE MECHANIC CHECKED AND STATED THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH WAS BAD AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Dec 18, 2012
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD MY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND THE BULBS. I LOOKED UP ON LINE AND SEEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HYUNDAI VEHICLES DUE TO THE STOP LAMP SWITCH PROBLEM. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 13, 2012
WAS UNABLE TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE OR PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE. HAD TO USE EXTRA KEY TO ENGAGE THE SWITCH LOCK IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. RESEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND RECALLS FOR MODELS 05-07 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL # 092. INFORMED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151 SO THEY COULD ADD TO THEIR DATABASES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 28, 2011
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. KMJ
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 27, 2011, crash
BRAKES FAILED! I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACKUP IN A PARKING LOT. I WAS MOVING SLOWLY (2MPH) AND THE BRAKES FAILED, GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ROLLED FOR 15 FEET, PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MY CAR STOPPED, SLIGHTLY TAPPING A PARKED CAR, IMMEDIATELY IN MY REAR, IN THE IN OPPOSITE PARKING SPACE. I LOCATED THE OWNER OF THAT CAR AND THERE WAS ONLY A SMALL SCRATCH AND NO DAMAGE. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO EXCHANGE PAPERS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ON 9/27/11 AND ADVISED OF BRAKE FAILURE. MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP, PER FACTORY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. I JUST RECEIVED A MA STATE INSPECTION STICKER IN AUGUST, 2011. MY CAR PASSED MA STATE INSPECTION AT THAT TIME. MY CAR WAS LAST SERVICED ON 8/23/11 AT 50,607 MILES WITH NEW TIRES AND ROTATION, OIL CHANGE, STATE INSPECTION STICKER, CABIN AIR FILTER, FRONT WIPER BLADES, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANING, THE FACTORY ELECTRICAL RECALL FOR THE 099 WS CONNECTOR COVER INSTALLED, AND DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE FOR 'THUMPING NOISE' IN FRONT, FROM PARK TO REVERSE, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND BY TECHNICIAN, STATING' ALL COMPONENTS IN PROPER OPERATING CONDITION AT THIS TIME' ON MY REPAIR ORDER. ALSO RECEIVED THE HYUNDAI MULTI-POINT INSPECTION REPORT ATTACHED TO MY PAPERWORK FROM TECHNICIAN #753 - "BRAKE INSPECTION" WAS MARKED IN GREEN "CHECKED OK?. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN MY DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I FOLLOWED FACTORY REQUIRED 15K, 30K AND 45K MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE NOW BRAKES HAVE FAILED. WHY? *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2011
THE REAR ROTORS ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAD GROOVES WORN IN WITH ONLY A LITTLE OVER 37,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE BRAKE PADS ON THE RIGHT REAR WERE WORN ALMOST COMPLETELY WHILE THE BRAKE PADS ON THE LEFT REAR HAD ENOUGH MATERIAL LEFT ON THEM TO DRIVE ANOTHER 15,000 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED REPAIR CENTER FOR NEW PADS BECAUSE MY BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK.. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE PADS AND THE ROTORS AND STATED THAT IT IS ODD FOR THE PADS ON ONE SIDE TO BE WORN OUT AND THE PADS ON THE OTHER SIDE TO HAVE ABOUT A YEAR'S WORTH OF PAD LEFT. THE SIDE WHERE THE PADS THAT HAD A YEAR LEFT ON THEM THE ROTOR HAD SUBSTANTIAL GROVES. THE ROTOR ON THE SIDE WITH THE WORN PADS HAD LESS DAMAGE. HE STATED THE ROTORS WERE PROBABLY SUBSTANDARD AND THEY WERE PROBABLY MADE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR THEIR PERUSAL. THE SUPERVISOR STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WORN AND THE CAUSE WAS LIKELY A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CAR'S WARRANTY. I CONTEND THE PROBLEM IS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND OR POOR WORKMENSHIP. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOR HELP. THEY ALSO STATED THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THERE MIGHT BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ROTORS ON OTHER ELANTRA'S ON THE ROAD TODAY AND THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE IF IT IS NOT ADDRESSED. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Mar 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD INSTEAD. SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN RESTARTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME NONRESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RESET THE COMPUTER BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2011
BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE
Service brakes, Electric, Sep 3, 2010, crash
I OWN A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING, MY CAR MADE A GRINDING SOUND FOR 4-6 SECONDS (LIKE MY ABS BRAKES WERE TURNING ON, BUT LONGER) AND DIDN?T STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME (ROADS WERE DRY & MY CAR WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 10 MPH). DUE TO THE LOW SPEED, MY CAR ONLY BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT AND ONLY BUMPERS WERE DAMAGED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK MY BRAKES. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN?T FIND ANYTHING. TWO WEEKS LATER, I?M DRIVING AND GO TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT (DIFFERENT LIGHT, ROADS WERE DRY, GOING MAYBE 10-15 MPH) AND MY CAR AGAIN MAKES THE SAME GRINDING SOUND FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES. AFTER I PRESSED AND RELEASED THE BRAKES, THE GRINDING SOUND STOPPED AND THE CAR STOPPED. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEY LOOKED IT OVER, SAW NO COMPUTER READ OUT, AND TOLD ME THEY DIDN?T THINK THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND UNLESS THEY COULD DUPLICATE IT, THEY COULDN?T FIX IT. I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN (AT WHICH POINT THEY COULD TAKE MY CAR FOR 2-3 WEEKS TO TEST IT AND SEE IF THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. (I ASKED, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER!) THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE HAPPENED TWICE MORE (ONCE IN THE RAIN, ONCE ON DRY ROADS, & ALWAYS WHEN I TRY TO STOP WHILE TRAVELING 15MPH OR LESS). I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT APPARENTLY IT IS LIKELY DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE (QUITE A FEW OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THE YEARS AND MAKES DIFFER) AND ALL OF THEM HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE MODULE, BUT THEY WILL REPLACE IT FOR ABOUT $1500+LABOR. I LIVE BY NUMEROUS SCHOOLS, SO I CAN?T RISK HAVING A CAR THAT WON?T STOP (TOO MANY SMALL CHILDREN THAT LIKE TO RUN IN FRONT OF CARS), & HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY TO FIX IT OR GET A NEW CAR, BUT THEY SHOULD REALLY DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. *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
Service brakes, Electric, Jul 31, 2009
FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSED BRAKE LIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING AS WELL AS PREVENTING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FROM PARK, WITHOUT USING SHIFT LOCK OVER-RIDE. NO CRASHES OCCURRED AS HELPFUL MOTORIST NOTIFIED ME OF BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS A RECALL BY NHTSA FOR EARLIER MODEL HYUNDAI ELANTRAS - THE 2008 MODELS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. THE SHIFT LOCK ISSUE WAS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I HAD NO IDEA BOTH PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED BY THE SAME FAILURE. AS MY CAR IS RELATIVELY NEW AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. IF THESE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES ARE STILL FAULTY, THERE COULD BE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AS IT IS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 19, 2009
MY CAR, WHEN DRIVEN IN THE SNOW, WHEN YOU BRAKE, THE CAR STARTS TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL FREEZES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION, AT THE TOP OF THE PEDAL, LEAVING YOU WITH NO BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME, THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS TO ME, MAKES THE CAR A DEATH TRAP, WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW. I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING, I CAN EASILY REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BY DRIVING ON A STREET WITH SNOW, I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT NOW ONTO A HIGHWAY. *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.
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