2008 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 425 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 19 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2013
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 currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 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
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 10, 2008
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 OCS IS TO DISABLE THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIR BAG WHEN IT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR SMALL CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG IS DISABLED TO PREVENT INJURIES TO A CHILD THAT MAY RESULT FROM A RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG INFLATION DURING A CRASH.
MISCLASSIFICATION OF A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
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 EVALUATION AND REPAIR FACILITY. THIS FACILITY WILL EVALUATE AND REPAIR OR REPROGRAM THE SEAT CUSHION AND OCS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08V161000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 7, 2008
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 THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 BE ISSUED.
Campaign 08E021000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: visibility
96 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, Jul 27, 2010
PASSENGER-SIDE VISOR MADE A CRACKING NOISE WHEN IT WAS PULLED DOWN, NOW IT WILL NOT STAY UP ALL THE WAY; IT JUST HANGS HALFWAY DOWN. *TR
Visibility, Jul 26, 2010
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS DO NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. THEY DANGLE RIGHT IN THE LINE OF SITE OF DRIVER. NOT SAFE. *TR
Visibility, Jul 25, 2010
THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER (AND PASSENGER) SIDE WILL NO LONGER STAY UP. THE DRIVERS SIDE CONSTANTLY FALLS DOWN WHILE I OR MY WIFE IS DRIVING. IT HITS THE DRIVER N THE HEAD OR FACE AND STARTLES THE DRIVER, BLOCKING THE FIELD OF VISION. I TURN THE VISOR TO THE SIDE BUT IT COVERS THE SIDE WIDOW AND I HAVE DIFFICULTY SEEING OUT THE SIDE WINDOW. MY MOTHER IN FLORIDA HAS A SONATA AND TOLD ME THAT SHE EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, Jul 19, 2010
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO STAY UP. IT DROOPS SO SUN VISOR IS IN DRIVER'S LINE OF SITE. DROOPING SUN VISOR ALSO IS VERY NEAR DRIVER'S HEAD. MAKING IMPACT WITH EDGE OF VISOR HIGHLY LIKELY IN A CRASH. *TR
Visibility, Jul 12, 2010
NORMAL USE HAS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA TO NOT HOLD ITS POSITION. IT WILL NOT REMAIN IN PLACE WHETHER IT IS PLACED IN THE UPRIGHT OR DOWN POSITION. FURTHER, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SUN VISOR WILL DROP SUDDENLY AND OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VIEW. IT HAS ALSO HIT ME IN THE HEAD WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Visibility, Jul 5, 2010
WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES STOP WORKING. *TR
Visibility, Jul 1, 2010
THE SUN VISOR ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND BLOCKING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. IN ITS "UP POSITION" IT HANGS DOWN TO WHERE MY HEAD WOULD HIT THE HARD EDGE IN ANY KIND OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Visibility, Jun 29, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR MADE A CRACKING NOISE AND WILL NOT COME DOWN ANYMORE. IT DOES NOT STAY IN THE FULL UPRIGHT POSITION EITHER. *TR
Visibility, Jun 25, 2010
2008 HYNDAI SONATA LIMITED. DRIVERS SIDE VISOR NO LONGER STAYS UP. CRACKING NOISE HEARD WHEN IT WAS MOVED AND IT THEN WILL ONLY HANG DOWN. IT OBSTRUCTS YOUR FIELD OF VISION AND COULD EASILY BE A SAFETY ISSUE. HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME THING. *TR
Visibility, Jun 24, 2010
I HAVE A HYUNDAI SONATA 2008 4 DOOR GLS FULL SIZE SEDAN 6 CYLINDER VIN: [XXX] THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR , WHEN TAKEN OUT TO PROTECT WHEN DRIVING EAST IN THE MORNING OR WEST IN THE EVENING TO AND FROM WORK, JUST HANGS , AND DOES NOT GO BACK UP TO ITS SOCKET OR GO ALL THE WAY DOWN AGAINST THE WINDOW. IT JUST HANGS BLOCKING THE EYE VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD. I HAD TO PRACTICALLY CATCH THE VISOR AGAINST MY HEAD OR HOLD IT WITH ONE HAND TO COMPLETE THE TRIP THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility, May 21, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY FELL INTO THE CONTACTS LINE OF VISION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE SUN VISOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72000.
Visibility, May 5, 2010
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA, W/SUNROOF, 46K MILES. THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR POSITION-CONTROL MECHANISM FAILED. THE VISOR CAN'T BE PARKED IN ANY POSITION. IT HANGS STRAIGHT DOWN BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW. THE FRICTION MECHANISM BROKE WITH A "CRACKING" SOUND. *TR
Visibility, Apr 30, 2010
DRIVER SIDE SUNVISOR FAILURE ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA 22908 MILES. IT BEGAN WITH A WEEK OF 'CRACKING' WHEN I USED IT UNTIL IT FINALLY BROKE TODAY. IT WON'T STAY UP OR DOWN COMPLETELY AND IT IS AFFECTING MY FIELD OF VISION. IT IS JUST FLOPPING IN THE MIDDLE. I HAVE MOVED IT TO THE SIDE BUT IT IS STILL AFFECTING MY FIELD OF VISION. *TR
Visibility, Apr 30, 2010
THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ON ONE OF THE FIRST 80 DEGREE DAYS OF THE YEAR GAVE A FEW CRACKING SOUNDS AND THEN WENT LIMP. NOW THE SUN VISOR DOESN'T RETRACT BACK TO THE TUCKED AWAY POSITION. IT ALSO DOESN'T STAY UP AGAINST THE WINDOW. IT STAYS RATHER LOW AND SLIGHTLY OBSTRUCTS MY VISION WHEN I AM DRIVING. THIS PROBABLY SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I FOUND MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET ON THIS SITE: HTTP://WWW.HOWTOMENDIT.COM/ANSWERS.PHP?ID=157121 IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW. THE NHTSA SHOULD PRESSURE HYUNDAI TO MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR MINOR YET POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Visibility, Feb 10, 2010
SUNVISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, OBSTRUCTING VISION. *TR
Visibility, Jan 18, 2010
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN - COVERED BY WARRANTY AND REPLACED BY DEALER. *TR
Visibility, Dec 29, 2009
DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR, MECHANISM THAT HOLDS IT UP HAS BROKEN, VISOR IMPEDES DRIVER'S VISION. *TR
Visibility, Dec 7, 2009
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA SUN VISOR WILL NOT HOLD THE DESIRED POSITION. SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10028945 FOR 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. *TR
Visibility, Jul 9, 2009
MY HYUNDAI SONOTA'S DRIVER'S SIDE CAR VISOR IS BROKEN AND DOES NOT STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS BLOCKS THE VIEW WHILE LOOKING FORWARD OR CREATES A BLIND SPOT TO THE LEFT WHEN VISOR IS TURNED DOWN TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE WINDSHIELD/ROAD. I'VE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AND IT HAS 36K MILES (BOUGHT IT WHEN IT HAD 16KMILES). *TR
Visibility, Jun 26, 2009
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA: DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FALLS DOWN, BLOCKS VISION, OR HITS DRIVER IN HEAD. MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Visibility, Jan 15, 2009
PROBLEM: VISOR, WINDSHIELD, DRIVER. PLASTIC SHEATH AROUND METAL BAR, WHICH IS PART OF THE VISOR POSITION CONTROL MECHANISM, BROKE DURING NORMAL USE. THIS RESULTED IN VISOR NOT STAYING IN POSITION SET BY DRIVER. VISOR WILL DROP DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY AND PARTIALLY OBSTRUCT DRIVER'S VISUAL FIELD AND DISTRACT DRIVER'S ATTENTION. *TR