NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Hyundai Elantra Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 315 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Hyundai Elantra owner complaints

Owners have filed 315 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, describing incidents dated October 29, 2007 to October 5, 2026.

Most-cited components

Steering 55 complaints
Service Brakes 51 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 45 complaints
Engine 41 complaints
Air Bags 38 complaints
Electrical System 31 complaints

Of the 315 complaints on file, 38 report a crash and 24 a fire; across all 315 complaints, owners report 41 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11773810 · Filed October 26, 2026
The contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon pulling into the driveway, the power steering and ABS warning lights illuminated. After researching the warning lights online, the contact turned off and exited the vehicle. The contact became aware of smoke coming from…
ODI #11731913 · Filed April 17, 2026
Power steering went out, only had manual steering.
ODI #11718875 · Filed February 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that a week after the dealer performed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V061000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the contact was made aware that the brake lights had remained illuminated after the vehicle was parked and turned…

Read all 315 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Hyundai Elantra mileage at failure

258 of the 315 complaints on file for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Steering	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–105,000 miles	Based on 47 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 25,000–155,000 miles	Based on 39 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System	Median 2,000 miles	Middle half 800–7,000 miles	Based on 41 complaints
Air Bags	Median 55,000 miles	Middle half 17,000–100,000 miles	Based on 32 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Hyundai Elantra in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP21-003: Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Closed June 20, 2023
Preliminary Evaluation PE08-044: ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
Closed September 3, 2008
- Recall 08V-429

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

ABS Module May Short Circuit

NHTSA #20V061000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 4, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 476,111 vehicles

Repair completion: 44.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 188 · Owners notified April 2, 2020 · Vehicles built August 26, 2005 – November 23, 2010 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Electric Power Steering Assist may be Disabled

NHTSA #15V100000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported February 23, 2015 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 204,768 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.61% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 127 · Owners notified April 14, 2015 · Vehicles built June 1, 2008 – April 30, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently

NHTSA #13V113000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2013 · Hyundai Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,712,336 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 110 · Owners notified April 22, 2013 · Vehicles built May 1, 2007 – October 31, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

DRIVER'S AIR BAG/SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR

NHTSA #11V179000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported March 15, 2011 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 95,783 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 100 · Owners notified April 8, 2011 · Vehicles built July 14, 2006 – August 29, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A HIGHER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT THAN INTENDED INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY RESULTING FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

HYUNDAI'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 100.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

NHTSA #11V143000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported March 15, 2011 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 188,697 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 099 · Owners notified April 8, 2011 · Vehicles built July 14, 2006 – November 1, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

HYUNDAI'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 099.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL PUMP MOTOR

NHTSA #08V694000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported December 29, 2008 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO

Potentially affected: 347 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 086 · Owners notified February 9, 2009 · Vehicles built November 5, 2007 – June 28, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

AS A RESULT, POOR ENGINE STARING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT. OTHER ENGINE PERFORMANCE ISSUES MAY ALSO RESULT AND LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

HPR RECALL NO. 086.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL PUMP MOTOR

NHTSA #08V429000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported August 25, 2008 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 65,000 vehicles

Owners notified September 15, 2008 · Vehicles built November 5, 2007 – June 28, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

POOR ENGINE STARTING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT. OTHER ENGINE PERFORMANCE ISSUES MAY ALSO RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2008 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

2 investigations

315 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra.

Electrical System; Firerelated

ODI #11773810

Fire

Incident: October 5, 2026 · Filed: October 26, 2026

The contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that upon pulling into the driveway, the power steering and ABS warning lights illuminated. After researching the warning lights online, the contact turned off and exited the vehicle. The contact became aware of smoke coming from underneath the hood. Upon opening the hood, the contact noticed that the under hood was on fire and called the Fire Department. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact was informed that fire had originated under the dashboard nearby the computer. The vehicle was inspected, towed, and then deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for an engine overheating failure two weeks prior to the fire. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Steering

ODI #11731913

Incident: March 10, 2026 · Filed: April 17, 2026

Power steering went out, only had manual steering.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11718875

Incident: February 16, 2026 · Filed: February 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that a week after the dealer performed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V061000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the contact was made aware that the brake lights had remained illuminated after the vehicle was parked and turned off. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 199,950.

Electrical System; Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11702148

Incident: November 29, 2025 · Filed: November 30, 2025

The car was being driven nomore than 1hr. It began to smoke under the hood. The ABS EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE Then the EPS lights were on. The vehicle was pulled over and stopped. Fire was then observed falling from under the car. The hood was then popped to see the engine mainly on the driver side was totally catching fire. Then it spread. The engine needle never showed over heated. The car took no more than 6 minutes to catch fire from the time it started smoking. It was very scary

Electrical System; Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11681965

Fire

Incident: August 8, 2025 · Filed: August 20, 2025

The engine bay of my car caught fire due to the abs pump and module not turning off. I bought a part but never opened the box because I received a piece of mail stating the recall of that exact issue that they would replace all parts damaged. Which they didn't just installed their relay After Hyundai recall 188 was completed, my ABS pump failed. I believe it was caused by continuous power being applied post-shutdown — the exact defect the recall was meant to fix. The dealer performed an inspection but misrepresented the results and refuses to replace the damaged component under recall. This ABS pump failure is a direct result of the original recall condition — or a failed installation of the relay fix — which continued to keep power applied to the pump while the vehicle was off. This is the exact scenario the recall was intended to prevent. If the failure is caused by that condition, Hyundai is still responsible under recall. The facility which did the recall falsely recorded the mileage on my vehicle as to void any "warranty" associated with the recall as the car hasn't been driven since the module was replaced. I also instructed the diagnosis team of Wesley chapel Hyundai to keep my battery unplugged due to the parasitical drain in order to protect the battery from being dead celled and now I have to replace the battery as well. They also illegally opened a mailed box I had in my car with a part I bought prior to the recall being mailed out which I never took out of the box nor did I open the box and it was fully sealed which is a federal crime. I opened a case in which Hyundai denied helping with this faulty service and are refusing to provide me documents Case no. 41355389.

Unknown or Other; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11674602

Incident: July 15, 2025 · Filed: July 18, 2025

Has not yet been officially diagnosed by a dealer or independent service center, but while turning into a neighborhood at around 15-25 mph the car jerked and the engine suddenly stalled while I was still in the middle of the road. Thankfully I rolled into the neighborhood before an oncoming car made its way over, but it was close. The gas pedal no longer worked, and I had to restart the car. It only drove once more before shutting down and the engine will no longer turn over.

Suspension; Structure; Service Brakes

ODI #11664566

Incident: January 1, 2023 · Filed: June 3, 2025

The entire undercarriage of the vehicle is rusted, allowed for 3 sections is not sufficient as it does not accurately account for the damage. The Fuel Suspension is also affected from the known Corrosion and Rust issue. I have had to make many costly repairs in the last 4 years and I did not know about this issue with the vehicle I have now had for 17years. Had I , I would have done my own repairs to ensure the unit was safe and operational and not only relied on Hyundai's very delayed and subpar solution - considering my unit is a 2008 and the campaign did not come out until May 2014, of which I know for a fact my car was never listed.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11655889

Incident: November 15, 2024 · Filed: April 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with fuel pump failure. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,600.

Steering; Service Brakes

ODI #11597834

Incident: June 30, 2024 · Filed: June 30, 2024

I want to go start my car just now to go to the store and when I turned it on and started it up the ABS lights emergency brake light and EPS light always lit up on my dashboard so I grabbed the manual to try to figure out what it is seen what each was individual thing standard for so I googled each individual and that's when I realized there's a recall for this from my vehicle for the ABS malfunction

Carry Handle, Shell, Base; Other/I am not sure

ODI #11579001

Incident: March 22, 2024 · Filed: March 22, 2024

When we rotate the car seat to lock it in place, the shell doesn't immediately lock in and we have to try several times to get it to lock in. Weve had this issue happen multiple times and fear for our son's safety. Our son's safety was put at risk when it didn't immediately lock into place. It has not been inspected by any one.

Other Hyundai Elantra model years

Check your 2008 Hyundai Elantra VIN

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