2008 Hyundai Elantra Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Hyundai Elantra has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear subframe and control arm corrosion.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear subframe and control arm corrosion

SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2025-06

“I own a ‘08 Hyundai Elantra. On July 21 my boyfriend and I were driving home when the rear sub-frame assembly failed, it rotted and broke where the control arms attach. The left rear tire was no longer attached to the frame of the car properly. It is available for inspection”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11428310
“RECALL FOR UNDERCOATING DONE JAN. 2016 (TT1). ON 11/1/17, WHILE DRIVING ON A TOWN ROAD, THE REAR RIGHT TRAILING ARM FELL OFF CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE ABRUPTLY OFF THE ROAD DUE TO EXTREME RUST ON THE SUB FRAME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11042953
“ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 16TH, MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA (84000 MILES) STARTED MAKING AN UNUSUAL SOUND FROM THE REAR RIGHT. AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME, THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. AS I WAS WITHIN MILES OF A MECHANIC, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT PUT ON THE LIFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10509737

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake lights fail to illuminate

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

15 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2023-09

“IN MARCH OF THIS YR, A FRIEND INFORMED ME THAT MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT. I HAD THE BULB REPLACED & THEN GOT A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE WORK WAS PERFORMED IN JUNE (REPLACEMENT OF A STOP SWITCH I BELIEVE IS WHAT IT WAS CALLED)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10551971
“WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD MY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND THE BULBS. I LOOKED UP ON LINE AND SEEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HYUNDAI VEHICLES DUE TO THE STOP LAMP SWITCH PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10489145
“CAME TO STOP LIGHT, THE GENTLEMAN IN THE CAR NEXT TO ME AT THE STOPLIGHT TOLD ME HE ALMOST HIT ME A LITTLE WAYS BACK WHEN I STOPPED TO LET A VEHICLE TURN. HE STATED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. CHECKED AND IT WAS TRUE THE BACK WINDOW LIGHT AND BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10456950

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sun visor detaches and obstructs driver view

VISIBILITY

8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2016-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR SEPARATED FROM THE INSERT IN THE ROOF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10643830
“PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR FAILED. THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS IT TO THE CEILING OF THE CAR BECOMES VERY BRITTLE AND BREAKS. THE VISOR FELL INTO THE FIELD OF VISION WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHE DECIDED TO PULL THE ENTIRE VISOR OFF, SEVERING THE WIRES THAT IT WAS DANGLING BY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10885810
“BOTH VISORS BREAK AND DETACH AT PRIMARY SWIVELING ELBOW HANGING DOWN, UNABLE TO SECURE IN ANY WAY, UNABLE TO DETACH ELECTRICAL WIRE WITHOUT SEVERE DAMAGE, MUST DRIVE ONE HANDED TO OPERATE THE CAR. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10525701

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric power steering loss while driving

STEERING

43 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2026-04

“Power steering went out, only had manual steering”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731913
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE EPS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE INDICATOR TURNED OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11266076
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10913698

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine fire linked to ABS hydraulic module

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

22 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2026-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11681965
“The contact's husband owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while asleep, she heard a loud, popping sound emit from outside. The contact looked out the window and saw flames emitting from her husband's vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11431257
“14 HOURS AFTER PARKING THE CAR, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED SMOKE SOURCE. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO SAID THE ABS SYSTEM SHORTED CAUSING A FIRE AND DESTROYING WIRING HARNESS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308829

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbags fail to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

11 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2023-11

“WE PULLED THE CAR OUT OF AN INTERSECTION AND T BONED ANOTHER CAR. BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED IN THIS ACCIDENT, YET NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON A FLAT ROADWAY. THE DRIVER OF THE HYUNDAI WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT. PLEASE SEE PICTURES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10790714
“THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AUTO CARTWHEELED, HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10653585
“VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON FM 429 AND HIT A PATCH OF LOOSE GRAVEL. THE CAR BEGAN TO SKID AND LANDED FRONT FIRST INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO ROLL MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL IT RESTED ON ITS SIDE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10487455

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration or stuck accelerator pedal

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

16 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2017-05

“THIS MONTH, WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD PERIODICALLY ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE NEVER PREVIOUSLY HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MY CAR CHECKED OUT BY THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO CANNOT EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10991684
“WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AS IF CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, WHICH IT WASN'T. WE PULLED OVER AND PULLED THE FLOOR MATS OFF IN CASE THEY WERE MAKING THE GAS PEDAL STICK. WHEN WE STARTED BACK UP, THE CAR DID IT AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10574584
“WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, INCHING ALONG AT LOW SPEED FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILES; STOPPING AND STARTING ALL THE WAY, SUDDENLY DURING ONE OF THESE STOPS, THE MOTOR STARTED TO REV AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10501067

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission rolls out of park

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2012-06 → 2019-12

“THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL AWAY WHEN PLACED IN PARK (WHILE STATIONARY) IF ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON ANY SLIGHT INCLINE OR DECLINE. A RATCHETING SOUND IS HEARD COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THIS OCCURS AS THE VEHICLE IS ROLLING OUT OF CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11292224
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL AWAY AND COME OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PARK PAWL FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10483176
“I STARTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN PARK ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN IT STARTED BUCKING FORWARD AND I ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10460325

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

159 crashes 1990–2024

How the 159 occupant deaths break down

123

driver deaths

36

passenger deaths

159

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

38

complaints mentioning a crash

23

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.