10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,282 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Hyundai Elantra electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Sep 142023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We received a citation for brake lights not functioning. I realized that there had been a safety recall on the brake light switch, and contacted Brandfon Hyundai in New Haven, CT. They did nothing. Upon further investigation on the Hyundai website, I noticed that the brake light switch campaign was marked "closed" in 2013, when the car was still owned by my mother-in-law whom has since gone blind and has sold the car to us. I took it upon myself to purchase and install a new brake light switch, and all new bulbs, but to no avail. Not only are we likely to get cited again, but having no brake lights is a safety hazard. At first, it was only the right side brake light out. Then the brake lights would stay on by themselves. Now, not even the rear window light, which should go on without the signal going through the computer, will go on.

- West Haven, CT, USA

problem #25

Aug 222022

Elantra

  • miles
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.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

problem #24

Sep 182021

Elantra

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving when a person waved the driver down that there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was driven some more until the contact noticed that there was heat come up the leg on the driver's side. The contact stated that once exit from the vehicle, noticed that there were flames coming from the hood. The fire department extinguished the fired and informed that it was due to electrical. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

- Deerfield Beach, FL, USA

problem #23

Apr 232021

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I am driving the vehicle all of a sudden it will jump back really fast And the check engine will go on and If I continue to drive the vehicle it seems like I'm putting pressure on the gas for it to go But then once I turn off the vehicle the check engine light will all of a sudden be gone. If I drive the vehicle again the problem won't happen right away it will be some time before it happens again all of a sudden.

- Shafter , CA, USA

problem #22

Jun 052020

Elantra

  • miles
Eps light is on. Knocking noise when moving steering wheel. Vehicle was taken to dealer. Diagnosed problem that would cost me $3000 to repair. I was told the whole steering column would have to be replaced. After long research, recall 127 should have covered my vehicle, but it did not. Please advise.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #21

Feb 182020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
My 2008 Hyundai caught fire in my garage on February 18, 2020. The fire destroyed my car and my garage. My neighbor happened to be taking his dog out at 4:00 am and smelled smoke. He looked over and saw smoke coming out of my garage.he frantically rang the doorbell, woke me and my husband up and we called 911. We could have died as a result.

- Saint Peters, MO, USA

problem #20

Apr 142020

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upon receipt of an important safety recall notice of anti ABS module trigger short circuit and engine fire while engine is turned off; I called the sacramento Hyundai and spoke with recall agent "[xxx]" today 4/14/20 who stated that the service center do not have the available part to fix or repair this safety recall. [xxx] stated all statewide Hyundai service center do not have the parts from Hyundai usa manufacturer and do not know when it will be available for the consumer. Please investigate this failure of Hyundai usa to address and rectify the NHTSA safety recall or delay which will affect the engine fire due to electrical short circuit of anti ABS electrical module on Hyundai Elantra 2008 in California. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #19

Feb 162020

Elantra

  • 168,000 miles
While driving home on the highway after a rainy day, the ABS light and parking brake lights came on. I checked the parking brake; it was not engaged. The car seemed to be braking on its own as I continued to drive. Upon arriving home, there was some smoke coming from the left front wheel which, after it dissipated, I assumed to be hot, locked up brakes. About an hour later my housemate called to me from the living room telling me my car was on fire and to call 9-1-1. the car was parked in front of my house, under a magnolia tree. The flames engulfed the entire front end of the car, and were about 4-5ft high. The fire department came and hosed the car down, taking about an hour to put out the blaze. The front tires were flat, had melted, and the entire front end was decimated. The drivers side of the windshield had shattered from the fire, and the drivers side floorboard had burned through to the cabin. The entire cabin is damaged from the smoke, the drivers side visor melted through. While there is damage to the entire front end, the drivers side is worse, and the drivers side of the engine compartment appears to have the most damage. There is no visible fuse box or battery after the fire.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #18

Feb 092019

Elantra

  • 180,000 miles
After sitting for 43 hours in our driveway the 2008 Hyundai Elantra caught fire starting on the driver's side of the engine compartment and continued across and through the vehicle. It should be noted the vehicle had a smoking issue in the compartment a month previous and was taken to the Hyundai shop and a repair estimate provided that included the master cylinder and the antilock brake system. At that time when the smoke incident happened the antilock system engaged and the brake pedal went to the floor. I observed where the smoke was coming from and pointed at the ABS block to the service manager. Vehicle went back into use and I ordered parts. Installed master cylinder but ABS parts did not arrive before vehicle immolated itself. In the 43 hour non use gap, the vehicle did not have the remote entry fob used nor any key entry. Fire department put the cause as being an electrical fire.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #17

Feb 252018

Elantra

  • 120,000 miles
Car caught on fire in the middle of the night, while parked on my driveway the entire day. Fire department said the cause of fire is unknown but it appeared to have start at the left side of the hood.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #16

May 282017

Elantra

  • 161,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Drove car to grocery store 6 mile round trip parked car in garage at 10:15 am. I performed yard work in front of and was in and out of garage for 4 hours. At no time was there a hint of smoke or burning. Then cut grass for 2 hours. At about 4 pm smoke was billowing out of the garage. I observed flames and smoke coming from around the front hood. Unable to lift hood to reach fire source with extinguishers or get car into neutral to push out of garage. I was driven by smoke and flame out of garage. Both the 2008 Hyundai and another vehicle in the two car garage burned completely. All contents in garage destroyed extensive smoke damage throughout house. Fire forensic investigator thinks it was caused by the battery but there was too much damage to make much of an informed comment as to precise reason car caught fire. Reason for fire is unknown. Advanced auto battery purchased October 17, 2014. Part # 121R1. #420 D2lnm1C1Q21B5J. Repair of rear main seal in July 2016 by cochran of monroeville Hyundai service department. Fog lights MINIlamps a total of twenty, 20, lights (fog, break, headlights, license plate) front right and left, rear right and left were replaced. Rear left lamp and bulb housing replaced June 28, 2016 at a cost of $236 by dealer.

- Export, PA, USA

problem #15

May 012008

Elantra

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced trouble starting. The contact had to buy approximately five batteries since purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #14

Aug 162016

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 111,565 miles
On 8/16/16 at approximately 1130 hours the aforementioned 2008 Hyundai Elantra bearing a VIN number of [xxx], had spontaneously caught on fire without cause. Local fire department came to the scene and extinguish the flames suspected it to be a manufacturers defect of possible faulty electrical wiring. I have contacted Hyundai directly and brought to their attention the incident in which occurred on the said date. Hyundai is still in the process of having a third party vehicle inspection company en route to conduct the preliminary investigation. There has only been a recall to my knowledge in 2011 in which I personally took the said vehicle to Hyundai of welsey chapel Florida and never had a problem since. It should be noted the vehicle was parked for approximately 3 hours before it caught on fire. I am aware of the past recalls conducted by Hyundai due to the possibility of engine fires and feel as thought my vehicle is one of the vehicles affected my the negligence in the manufacturers end. I urge and plead you to look into this matter as my only means of transportation has been totaled due to the bizarre fire. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #13

Jul 192014

Elantra

  • 63,000 miles
The light indicating there is low air pressure came on. I took it to have the tires looked at. The pressure is supposed to be set at 32. They were all between 29-32 so they adjusted the pressure to the correct setting. Said my tires were fine and the sensor is still on. Why is this" and has there been any other problems with this light"

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #12

Aug 052013

Elantra

  • 81,382 miles
The factory radio in the car stopped working properly. The auxiliary port does not work and the display on the radio is not working. I have not had this repaired yet, the local Hyundai said that this is a recurring problem but there are no recalls therefore it will be at my own expense.

- Daleville, AL, USA

problem #11

Feb 122013

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
On 02/12/2013 I observed the brakes lights on my 2008 Hyundai Elantra to be out. I checked the fuses, all were good. A private mechanic checked and stated the stop light switch was bad and would need to be replaced.

- Patterson, NY, USA

problem #10

Dec 032012

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
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. I called Hyundai and they said my VIN number was not part of their recall campaign.

- March Air Reserve Base, CA, USA

problem #9

Dec 222008

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated the instrument panel lights would blink sporadically. In addition, the vehicle would become hesitant to acceleration and would sputter when driving between 35-40 mph. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the dealer was unable to duplicate or repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 86,000. The consumer stated the engine would vibrate and it would feel as though the vehicle was going to stall. There was also a shudder coming from the vehicle. Updated 07/26/11

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #8

Jul 132010

Elantra

  • 40,000 miles
Multiple electrical failures for unknown reasons. Car has required multiple jumps because of drained battery, both battery and alternator tested within normal ranges and dealer could not find source of issue. Seems to occur after episodes of heavy weather, radio also dies completely and not fuse related. Lights (day/night) burn out periodically at an accelerated rate. Bought car brand new in 2008.

- Shiloh, NC, USA

problem #7

Sep 152010

Elantra

  • 7,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the brakes and steering locked abnormally. The contact shifted into reverse and the vehicle went forward instead. She shifted into park and turned the vehicle off. When restarted, the failure recurred and the vehicle became nonresponsive. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who reset the computer but could not confirm that the failure would recur. The failure recurred twice and the vehicle was not taken back to the dealer for further diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was approximately 11,500 and the failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

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