repaired · 2022 Q1
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Risk. 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.
2008 Hyundai ElantraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 315 owner complaints about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the steering. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-061 the manufacturer reports only 31% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 26, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Hyundai Elantra has problems
315 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
55Steering5 crash/fire/injury
38Air bags24 crash/fire/injury
36Fuel system, gasoline
32Service brakes8 crash/fire/injury
31Electrical system12 crash/fire/injury
29Power train3 crash/fire/injury
24Exterior lighting2 crash/fire/injury
24Engine12 crash/fire/injury
24Vehicle speed control6 crash/fire/injury
10218 other systems17 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 55 | 5 |
| Air bags | 38 | 24 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 36 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 32 | 8 |
| Electrical system | 31 | 12 |
| Power train | 29 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 24 | 2 |
| Engine | 24 | 12 |
| Vehicle speed control | 24 | 6 |
| 18 other systems | 102 | 17 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2008 Hyundai Elantra recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q3
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Brake lights: switch
Risk. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. A HIGHER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT THAN INTENDED INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY RESULTING FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. AS A RESULT, POOR ENGINE STARING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT.
no report yet
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. POOR ENGINE STARTING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
71kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 48 steering complaints. 67% were reported before 100,000 miles.
10under 30k miles32under 100k miles16100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Elantra year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Elantra median. How we score
'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings
2008 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, and the recalls they led to.
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURELed to recall 08V-429
In owners' words
What Elantra owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
The EPS sensor trips when making a turn rendering the vehicle completely inoperable. I have to put the vehicle in park, shut it off, then turn it back on to continue moving. This is highly dangerous if it were to happen on the highway.
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel was making an abnormal clicking noise. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power…
Own a 2008 Elantra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.