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2008 Hyundai Veracruz Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Hyundai Veracruz has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Recall 20V705000 parts availability delay.” 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 Veracruz.

Reported to NHTSA

Recall 20V705000 parts availability delay

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

21 NHTSA complaints · 2021-02 → 2023-11

“The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11467823
“The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11440609
“This is a complaint about the failure of the Hyundai company to respond in a timely matter to a recall issued in Nov. 2020 (NHTSA 20V-705/Hyundai Recall 197) which can affect the alternator and electrical system of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11420044

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Shifter stuck in park or drive

POWER TRAIN

14 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2021-09

“RANDOMLY AFTER PULLING UP TO A STOP IN MY GARAGE, I CANNOT MOVE MY SHIFTER FROM DRIVE TO PARK. I CAN ONLY MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10620947
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10662174
“THE VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT SHIFT INTO OR OUT OF PARK. THE ESC LIGHT ALSO COMES ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10534086

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Valve cover gasket oil leak onto alternator

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

43 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2026-05

“The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil, and over time, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle, with a significant amount of oil leaking from the vehicle, resulting in engine damage”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11734317
“ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET AND ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AT THE END OF 2014 BY A RECALL. ENGINE LEAKS AGAIN AND DRIPPING ON TOP OF THE ALTERNATOR. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO FIX IT AS IT IS OVER A YEAR AFTER REPLACING THE PARTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10865160
“The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Vera Cruz. The contact stated that oil was leaking onto the alternator causing the vehicle to shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11469349

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS hydraulic control module failure

SERVICE BRAKES

25 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2024-07

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ABS MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES IGNITED FROM THE BATTERY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11078967
“60,000 MILES, ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED FOR ABS, 3 LIGHTS ON, DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI CORPORATE WON'T WARANTEE OR FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10956461
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10821087

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and clock spring failure

AIR BAGS

21 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2022-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11170231
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FOR THE AIR BAG FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10690877
“THE AIRBAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140834

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight shutoff during turn signal use

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2017-08

“THE HEADLIGHTS FLASH OFF AND BACK ON WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11015302
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND WERE SIGNIFICANTLY DIM WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10984700
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAP THE TURN SIGNAL LEVELER IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10839360

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

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)

5 crashes 1990–2024

How the 5 occupant deaths break down

4

driver deaths

1

passenger deaths

5

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2015 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.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

2

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 Veracruz 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.

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