2008 Hyundai Elantra recalls and problems

7 recalls and 314 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra.

7
recalls
314
owner complaints
38
complaints mentioning a crash
23
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2008 Hyundai Elantra recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module

NHTSA campaign 20V061000 · reported February 4, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America · 476,111 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Steering: electric power assist system

NHTSA campaign 15V100000 · reported February 23, 2015 · Hyundai Motor America · 204,768 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V113000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Hyundai Motor Company · 1,712,336 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 11V143000 · reported March 15, 2011 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 188,697 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 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.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 11V179000 · reported March 15, 2011 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 95,783 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A higher pressure deployment than intended increases the risk of injury resulting from airbag deployment.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 08V694000 · reported December 29, 2008 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO · 347 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
As a result, poor engine staring and hesitation may result. Other engine performance issues may also result and lead to a crash.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 08V429000 · reported August 25, 2008 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 65,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Poor engine starting and hesitation may result. Other engine performance issues may also result increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Apr 17, 2026 · Steering

Power steering went out, only had manual steering.

Feb 18, 2026 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 199,950 miles

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…

Nov 30, 2025 · Service brakes

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…

Aug 20, 2025 · Service brakes · fire reported

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…

Jul 18, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system

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…

Elantra model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2005 4137303
2006 1155280
2007 62672113
2008 73143823
2009 42542811
2010 3380459
2011 5433178

Across all years, the 2013 Elantra has the most complaints (1,314). All Hyundai Elantra years →

Questions

Does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, the most recent reported on February 4, 2020 (Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (55 complaints), followed by air bags (38).
How many 2008 Hyundai Elantra complaints mention a crash or fire?
38 of 314 complaints report a crash and 23 a fire; 41 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 17, 2026.