Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 315 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V061000 ABS Module May Short Circuit NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V100000 Electric Power Steering Assist may be Disabled NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V113000 Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V179000 DRIVER'S AIR BAG/SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V143000 INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V694000 FUEL PUMP MOTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V429000 FUEL PUMP MOTOR NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 55 complaints
- Air Bags 38 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 36 complaints
- Service Brakes 32 complaints
- Electrical System 31 complaints
- Power Train 29 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra has numerous recalls and complaints, especially related to steering, brakes, and fuel systems, indicating reliability challenges. Key concerns are frequent steering issues and potential ABS module failures. These factors contribute to increased ownership costs over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering system | 50,000–75,000 miles | $400–$800 | very common |
| ABS module | 60,000–90,000 miles | $450–$900 | common |
| fuel pump | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| airbag system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $250–$500 | occasional |
| brake light switch | 40,000–60,000 miles | $100–$200 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- spark plug replacement every 60,000 miles
- brake pad inspection every 20,000 miles
- transmission service every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- steering wheel stiffness
- brake pedal responsiveness
- unusual fuel pump noises
- airbag warning light
- ABS warning light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.