CarRecallDB

2008 Hyundai Sonata recalls and problems

3 recalls and 425 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata.

3
recalls
425
owner complaints
19
complaints mentioning a crash
11
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 Sonata recalls

Suspension: rear

NHTSA campaign 13V354000 · reported August 12, 2013 · Hyundai Motor Company · 364,502 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

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

NHTSA campaign 08V161000 · reported April 10, 2008 · Hyundai Motor Company · 393,308 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

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.

Mar 21, 2026 · Air bags

Car has a B1448 (ACTIVE) Passenger Occupant Detecting System (PODS) Circuit Fault Related to the passenger detecting pad in the front passenger seat problems started at 120,000 miles

Nov 6, 2025 · Steering

I find replacing the light bulbs for head lights and brake lights and flood lights more often than any other cars I have owned. The steering wheel makes a noise when turning left. And a noise is getting louder not sure what it’s related to.

Apr 25, 2025 · Power train

Bought in 2023 @ 98k miles. Have had trouble with 1.it would only start in drive, then that seems to have self corrected. 2. In drive, car would not accelerate properly, and would slow as though I was braking, but no foot on brake. Had rear brake sensor replaced, seemed better for a while. 3. Developed oil leak at 120…

Nov 23, 2024 · Service brakes

On November 4, 2024 while coming to a stop in traffic, the brake pedal went to the floor without any warning. Just prior to using the brakes, there was no feeling of softness in the pedal, and no indication a low pedal situation, and there was no indicator of pending brake failure. The brake light indicator only lit…

Aug 27, 2024 · Air bags · 181,000 miles

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V161000 (Air Bags); however, the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay for a diagnostic test prior to the recall repair…

Sonata model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2005 1165262
2006 91,047439
2007 5696306
2008 34251911
2009 24602111
2010 2345193
2011 143,379116112

Across all years, the 2011 Sonata has the most complaints (3,379). All Hyundai Sonata years →

Questions

Does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, the most recent reported on August 12, 2013 (Suspension: rear). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Sonata?
Owners have filed 425 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (137 complaints), followed by visibility (67).
How many 2008 Hyundai Sonata complaints mention a crash or fire?
19 of 425 complaints report a crash and 11 a fire; 14 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 21, 2026.