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
315 reports, newest first.
Tires, Aug 31, 2008
HAVE A 08 ELANTRA. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR FEW MILES I HAD MY TPMS LIGHT WENT ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, HE CHECKED AND SAID THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. AGAIN THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT WENT ON. THE TIRE PRESSURES WERE ACCURATE. DEALER ORDERED A FRONT TPMS VALVE. AGAIN AFTER SOME MILES THE LIGHT STARTED TO GLOW IN THE PANEL. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM. AGAIN THE NEXT DAY MORNING THE LIGHT WENT ON. I DRIVE A LOT OF HIGHWAY MILES, IT WAS ALWAYS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO PARK THE CAR IN THE EMERGENCY STOPPING AREA AND CHECK WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. DEALER AGAIN ORDERED NEW VALVE AND REPLACED IT (TOOK 3 DAYS). CALLED HYUNDAI LEFT A MESSAGE WITH ONE OF THE MANAGERS. THEY TOLD IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS THEY ARE GOING TO SEND ME A FIELD OFFICER FOR INSPECTION. BUT I THINK MY DEALER CHANGED ALL THE TPMS VALVES AND HE SAID THEY ARE RECALIBRATED AND I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ANY PROBLEM. AFTER THAT I STOPPED TRAVELING HIGHWAY MILES. NOW I DRIVE IN THE CITY AND A FEW DAYS BACK THE LIGHT AGAIN WENT ON. I NEED CALL DEALER AND HYUNDAI AND SPEAK WITH THEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS TPMS SAYS WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR TIRE, SO IF THE LIGHT GOES ON WE THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND WE PULL OUR CAR BACK AND CHECK IT. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS AND ALSO HARD TO PULL CAR BACK IN A HIGHWAY(NEED TO SEARCH FOR REST AREAS). I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE PAPERS WHICH HAVE THE MILEAGE RECORDS IN THEM. SORRY TO HAVE NOT POSTED IT. *TR
Structure, Aug 31, 2008
THE IN-DASH FRONT-PANEL CONSOLE PIECES MAKE VERY IRRITATING SQUEAKY NOISES WHEN DRIVING OVER EVEN LITTLE BUMPS DISTRACTING THE DRIVER FROM NORMAL DRIVING EXPERIENCE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 26, 2008
I TOOK MY 2008 ELANTRA IN FOR SERVICE. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP DUE TO A RECALL. THAT SAME DAY THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. THEY JUST REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 25, 2008
DRIVING NORTH ON HWY 5 FROM BAKERSFIELD CA WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISS AND LOOSE POWER. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AT AVENAL WHERE I PUT GAS IN HOPING IT WOULD WORK BETTER. I LET IT REST AND WHEN I STARTED IT UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE IT A BIT AND CALLED INTO THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM HYUNDAI AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM. I SAID I WAS DRIVING NORTH BUT KEEPING IT AT 65 MPH. I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE AND CALL BACK IF ANY OTHER ISSUES OCCURRED. SOON AFTER THAT THE CAR BEGAN LOOSING POWER INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ENGINE WAS MISSING. FINALLY, AT 10 MILES BEFORE RTE 152 BETWEEN MENDOTA & FIREBAUGH, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AGAIN AND THEY CALLED FOR A TOW AND A POLICE OFFICER. THE TOW DRIVER ARRIVED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AND TOOK IT TO THE GILROY DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SINCE BEEN INFORMED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THIS IS A NEW CAR, 2008, WITH ONLY 770 MILES ON IT. I'VE ONLY HAD IT 4 DAYS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 15, 2008
WAS DRIVING NEW ELANTRA (1100 MILES AND 12 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP) ON HIGHWAY WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING AND LOST POWER NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I FED IT. PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF CAR. RESTARTED VEHICLE WITH DIFFICULTY AND "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT INDICATING EMISSIONS PROBLEM CAME ON. CAR SEEMED FINE UNTIL 2-3 MILES LATER WHEN SAME SYMPTOMS (LURCHING, LOSING POWER) RECURRED.. THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES, EACH TIME I MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD, TURNED OFF CAR, LET IT SIT AND THEN TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT STARTING BEFORE IT ENGAGED AND RAN VERY ROUGH, WITH VERY LITTLE POWER. INTENT WAS TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST HUYNDAI DEALERSHIP (I WAS 150 MILES FROM HOME) WHERE THEY INITIALLY DIAGNOSED BAD GAS. BUT CAR RAN 175 MILES ON THAT TANK OF GAS BEFORE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THEN THEY DIAGNOSED BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP. HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS USELESS -- HAD TO ARRANGE FOR OWN TOW TRUCK -- HYUNDAI DID NOT OFFER REPLACEMENT VEHICLE OR EVEN REIMBURSEMENT FOR GAS FOR ME TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO PICK UP MY DEAD NEW CAR FROM BEING REPAIRED 150 MILES FROM HOME. WE'VE NOT HAD FURTHER PROBLEMS (NOW HAVE 7500 MILES ON IT) BUT I AM ON EDGE EXPECTING ANOTHER BREAK-DOWN AFTER READING OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 14, 2008
6/26/08 - CAR LOOSES POWER ON EXPRESSWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER FIXES FAULTY "DOWNSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR" 7/10/08 - CAR LOOSES POWER, ENGINE HESITATION AND RACING RPM'S IN SPEEDS OF 20-40 MPH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER REPLACES FUEL PUMP 8/14/08- CAR HESITATING AND RPM'S RACING IN SPEEDS OF 20-40 MPH. WILL TAKE BACK TO DEALER WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 14, 2008
TOOK A 375 MILE/ 8 HOUR TRIP. NEW 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA W/LESS THAN 1800 MILES. UPON EXITING EXPRESSWAY, ENGINE STRUGGLED, AS IF TRYING TO SHIFT TO NEXT GEAR, BUT BUCKED & HESITATED. AFTER STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, PROCEEDED TO CROSS BUSY INTERSECTION. CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED .CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. 5 FAILED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART BUT DID AFTER 9 MINUTES. MADE IT TO DESTINATION. LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER CLOSED. FORCED TO ATTEMPT TRIP BACK NEXT DAY. HAD TO DRIVE THROUGH VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC - INCLUDING THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE, AND WINDING MOUNTAIN ROADS IN PA. CAR ACTED UP 3-4 TIMES, EACH TIME LOSING SPEED, SPUTTERING & BUCKING. WHILE NEVER ACTUALLY STALLED, COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. ACTED WORSE WHILE ACCELERATING - SOUNDED LIKE ENGINE CUTTING OUT. DROPPED IT OFF TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED 8/10/08. NEXT DAY, INFORMED OF BROKEN FUEL PUMP. BEING REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE - READY TODAY, 8/14/08. AFTER READING SO MANY SIMILAR STORIES ON-LINE, I FELT I HAD TO INFORM YOU OF MY INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL - ESPECIALLY AS THERE ARE SO MANY 2008 ELANTRAS ON THE ROAD. HAD WE NEEDED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY ESCAPE OF OUR STALLED CAR, IN NY TRAFFIC, WE WOULD HAVE LIKELY BEEN KILLED TRYING TO EXIT, AND PROBABLY BEEN RUN OVER BY A TRACTOR TRAILER HAD WE STAYED IN THE CAR. WE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUR CRATED PUPPY OUT OF THE BACK SEAT, AS A PARENT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RESCUE A BABY IN AN INFANT SEAT. THIS IS A SERIES OF TRAGEDIES WAITING TO HAPPEN!!!! I WILL STILL NOT FEEL CONFIDENT DRIVING MY 3 1/2 MONTH OLD CAR, AS MANY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO HAVE TROUBLE EVEN WITH REPLACED PARTS. I IMPLORE YOU TO PROBE DEEPER IN TO THIS MATTER AND HAVE HYUNDAI CORRECT THIS PROBLEM...BEFORE MANY PEOPLE BECOME A FATALITY STATISTIC! *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 9, 2008
PURCHASED A NEW 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE NEW CAR AND AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES, NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS HESITATING AND COULD NOT INCREASE SPEED AND SHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR. THE CAR FINALLY SHIFTED TO THE FINAL GEAR AND ALL WAS WELL FOR ABOUT 10 MORE MILES; THEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE FEEDING GAS WAS NOT HELPING. THE CAR CRAWLED TO A STOP AT A FREEWAY EXIT (FORTUNATELY) AND I CONTACTED THE DEALER. THEY ARRANGED TOWING AND DELIVERED ME A LOANER. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AFTER ONLY 20 MILES OF DRIVING THE NEW CAR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 6, 2008
I HAVE A HYUNDAI ELANTRA WHICH ONE HAD 3500 MILES ON IT AND THE CARS FUEL PUMP WENT WHILE I WAS DIVING IT. JUST STARTED TO SPUTTER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO HAVE IT TOW TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 5, 2008
MY 2008 ELANTRA SE WHICH I BOUGHT IN MAY HAS HAD TWO "EPISODES" OF STALLING. THE FIRST (OD 1100 MI) ON JULY 14 OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY AND BEGAN AS A SLIGHT HESITATION THAT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SUCH THAT WE TOOK THE NEXT EXIT AND LIMPED HOME ON BACK ROADS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED TWICE BEFORE WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR WHICH THEY DIDN'T HAVE IN STOCK. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE OK TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE NEW SENSOR ARRIVED. IT RAN FINE AND 3 DAYS LATER I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AGAIN AND SAID THE SENSOR WAS OK AND NEEDN'T BE REPLACED. THEY SAID MAYBE IT WAS BAD GAS OR VAPOR LOCK AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE CAR RAN FINE UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON (AUG 5) WHEN IT BEGAN HESITATING (OD 1432 MI) ON THE FREEWAY AND ONCE AGAIN I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT AND LIMPED HOME, UNABLE TO EXCEED 25 MPH, BUCKING ALL THE WAY. MY WIFE FOLLOWED ME TO THE DEALER AND FOR THE LAST MILE WERE UNABLE TO GO OVER 5 MPH (EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON). WE NEVER MADE IT AS THE ELANTRA SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I CALLED HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE CAR TRUCKED TO THE DEALER, ONLY ABOUT 4 BLOCKS AWAY. I UNDERSTAND NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING 07-08 ELANTRA STALLING COMPLAINTS AND WANTED TO ADD ANOTHER DATA POINT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 4, 2008
BRAND NEW CAR THAT AFTER THREE WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP REPLACED AIR SENSORS, CAR STALLED AGAIN. FINALLY DETERMINED FUEL PUMP WAS BAD AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP FROM A CAR ON THE LOT, CAR STALLED AGAIN. FUEL PUMP REPLACED WITH NEW FUEL PUMP, CAR STILL STALLING. HAVE BROUGHT CAR IN 7 TIMES NOW AND AM NOW BEING TOLD TO GO HOME WITH THE CAR BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE TURNING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN, BUT NEVER LOST COMPLETE POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. WHEN SHE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HER RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY SUSPECTED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE FUEL QUALITY. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND EVEN AN INVESTIGATION ON THE SAME FAILURE SHE IS EXPERIENCING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,115.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 1, 2008
I GOT INTO MY CAR 120 MILES FROM HOME AND NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I CALLED MY DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND TOLD THEM. THEY MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO BRING IT IN. I PROCEEDED TO TRAVEL BACK HOME 120 MILES AWAY AND WAS AT A LIGHT. THE LIGHT CHANGED I PUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL AND IT WENT 5 MILES AND HOUR. I PULLED OVER CALLED THE 800 NUMBER ON THE CAR FOR HYUNDAI WAS TOLD THEY WOULD TOW THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST DEALER. I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THAT BUT I WANTED TO KNOW HOW I COULD GET BACK HOME 120 MILES. THEY TOLD ME THE DEALER SHOULD GIVE ME A LOANER CAR. THEY WOULD NOT BECAUSE I DID NOT PURCHASE THE CAR FROM THEM..I CONTINUED TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME AND THE CAR BROKE DOWN 30 MILES INTO THE DRIVE. CALLED THE DEALER I GOT THE CAR FROM AND THEY HAD A TOW TRUCK COME AND GET ME. THE FINAL PART OF THE STORY IS THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF AND OTHERS IF I DID NOT STAY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. HYUNDAI WAS NOT A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH. I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD MY CAR 30 DAYS AND IT BROKE DOWN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2008
MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA STARTED LOSING POWER AT 70 MPH, AND ALMOST STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO REDUCE SPEED. I SAFELY PARKED THE CAR, AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. I WAS 300 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME. IF I HAD STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2008
I HAVE A 2008 ELANTRA THAT STALLED ON JULY 21, 2008 ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE WHEN IT HAD 3,455 MILES. THE CAR DECELERATED SO QUICKLY THAT I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY AN 18-WHEELER. A HALF HOUR EARLIER IT NEARLY STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE THE INTERSECTION INCIDENT AND 40 MINUTES BEFORE ALMOST BEING REAR ENDED BY THE TRUCK. A STATE TROOPER STOPPED TO MAKE SURE I WAS OKAY AND TO ESCORT ME TO THE TOLL BOTH / EXIT BUT I DON'T IMAGINE HE FILED A REPORT. I PUSH THE CAR OFF THE TURNPIKE EXIT AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED THE PART. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY WAS VERY REAL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2008
ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, TWICE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 22, 2008
OUR HYUNDAI ELANTRA, WITH APPROX. 1000 MILES ON IT, STALLED NOT FAR FROM OUR HOME. WE LEFT HOME AND WITHIN TWO MILES THE CAR BEGIN TO HESITATE. AFTER A MILE OF SEVERAL HESITATING INSTANCES, WE TURNED AROUND BUT COULD NOT MAKE IT HOME. THE ENGINE DIED AND WE HAD TO PARK IN A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY. THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 22, 2008
OUR 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA STALLED ON I-5 OUTSIDE OF CHICO CA WITH LESS APPROXIMATELY 900 MILES ON THE CAR. WE WERE JUST BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. WE WERE TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 22, 2008
PURCHASED 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN MID-MAY 2008. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE CAR ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS STALLING AND RUNNING SLUGGISH. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY HAD AN ERROR CODE, SAID A SENSOR HAD WENT OUT. CAR WORKED FINE FOR LESS THAN 24 HOURS, I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR JUST SPUTTERED AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 5 MILES AN HOUR. I SPENT 20 MINUTES DODGING TRAFFIC TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY INTERSECTION TO WHERE I COULD HAVE THE CAR IN A SAFE SPOT. LET IT SIT AND IT STARTED BACK UP NO PROBLEMS, UNTIL THE NEXT DAY, IT JUST DIED ON THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, FIVE DAYS LATER THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. IT'S BEEN A MONTH NOW SINCE THE REPAIR AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SO FAR, BUT I AM CROSSING MY FINGERS EVERY TIME I START IT UP AND DRIVE SOMEWHERE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 22, 2008
MY FIANCEE AND I RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW(HAD 7 MILES ON WHEN WE GOT IT) 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. IN ABOUT THE THIRD WEEK OF OWNERSHIP, WE TOOK A ROAD TRIP OUT OF STATE. WHILE RETURNING HOME, ON THE NY STATE THRUWAY, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHUDDER, AND LOSE SPEED RAPIDLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER ABOUT HALF AN HOUR, I TRIED TO DRIVE AGAIN AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. WE WERE TOWED OFF OF THE THRUWAY, THEN TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BY HRA, WHERE THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE FOR A MORNING. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS 'BAD GAS'. WE WERE TOLD TO BUY A CONTAINER OF DRY GAS AND SENT ON OUR WAY. THE CAR SEEMED TO BEHAVE FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS, THEN THE NEXT WEEKEND I VENTURED OUT OF TOWN AGAIN IN MY STILL NEW CAR. ABOUT AN HOUR INTO MY TRIP, THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING AND SHAKING ON INTERSTATE 84. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEAREST EXIT, AND THE CAR DIED COMPLETELY. I WAS NOT IN A SAFE LOCATION, SO I TRIED TO START IT TO MOVE THE CAR. IT WOULD NO LONGER START. I GOT TOWED ALL THE WAY HOME AT GREAT EXPENSE TO MYSELF, AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. AFTER 5 COMPLETE DAYS OF WORKING ON THE CAR, THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. I AM NOW READING THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES WITH FAR WORSE CONSEQUENCES. I HAVE NOT YET OPERATED MY NEW CAR ON A HIGHWAY SINCE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT, BUT I PLAN TO TONIGHT, AND AM QUITE NERVOUS ABOUT IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Jul 22, 2008
PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA JUNE 5, 2008. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IT BROKE DOWN WITHIN 30 DAYS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND THE ENGINE LOSING POWER. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND PART OF THE EXHAUST BECAUSE THE SENSOR WAS SEIZED UP INSIDE IT. WITHIN 2 DAYS OF GETTING THE CAR BACK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE WAS ROUGH. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND DURING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, THE ENGINE REGAINED POWER AND I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP NOW PLANS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, IT IS ON BACKORDER AND WE WILL PROBABLY BE WITHOUT THE CAR A TOTAL OF AT LEAST 30 DAYS OR MORE DUE TO THESE REPAIRS. WE HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY BECAUSE WE NO LONGER HAVE TRUST IN THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WILL BE USED TO TRANSPORT OUR 4 MONTH OLD TO DAY CARE EVERY DAY. WE HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR 60 DAYS YET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2008
2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH 9082 MILES @ TIME OF INCIDENT YESTERDAY, ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK ON I-90 IN MASSACHUSSETS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED. HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANE CHANGE TO GET OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE - THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. VEHICLE AT FIRST WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH AFTER PULLING OVER, THEN RAN OK FOR A WHILE. THIS MORNING, IT STALLED AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY, BUT I WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN. THEN IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH SEVERAL TIMES AND WOULD BUCK/RUN ROUGH ONCE AT 20 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN ARLINGTON MA, WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 19, 2008
FUEL PUMP FAILURE AFTER 2,000 MILES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 18, 2008
I'VE 2008 ELANTRA SE AUTOMATIC WITH 5400 MILES ON IT. YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING FROM BOSTON TO UPSTATE AFTER FINISHING MY YOUNGER ONE'S TREATMENT AT BCH. AND HALF WAY THROUGH SHE STOPPED AT A REST AREA. AFTER PULLING OUT FROM REST AREA THE CAR STARTED DECELERATING AND IT WAS FEELING AS IF CAR WAS TRYING TO SHIFT GEAR BUT HAVING ISSUES. IT REACHED UP TO SPEED OF 60-65 AND AFTER THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS SHE APPLIES IT WONT GO ANY FURTHER BUT STARTED TO DECELERATE. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON SIDE AND CALLED HRA TO GET CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. JUST HOUR AGO GOT CALL BACK FROM DEALERSHIP STATING IT WAS ISSUE WITH FUEL PUMP AND THEY HAVE REPLACED IT AND CAR IS READY FOR PICKUP. THIS IS FIRST TIME THIS FAILURE HAPPEN WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. WE HAVE FELT COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING LIKE CAR WITH HAS SOME KIND OF THRUST (PROBABLY TRYING TO CHANGE GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). BUT THIS WAS FIRST TIME WHEN IT WONT TAKE ANYMORE GAS AFTER PUSHING GAS PEDAL. IT IS SERIOUS ISSUE AND MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF IT OR SHOULD TAKE SOME ACTION AGAINST MANUFACTURER. *TR