10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,826 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 Sonata drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments

problem #8

Feb 082019

Sonata

  • 152,800 miles

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

2008 Hyundai Sonata 6cyl DOHC 3.3L / 152812 water pump went out. Replaced it. Then water ended up in the oil that got into the lifters. Ended up getting another motor. Then my A/C stopped working (didn't blow cool or cold air). Changed oil and oil filter myself along with the oil sensor ( connected to oil filter spot) that was leaking bad as long as the car was running.I was driving on the interstate, in front of a loaded 18 wheeler, driving 75 then my car jerked real hard then dropped down to 40. I had to pull over illegally to keep from getting hit by the truck. As I was catching my breath I turned the car off. When I started it back up it made a weird tick noise. Haven't heard that noise since. When I pulled off it hesitated to change gears from 2 to 3. it finally changed and did not come out of 3rd. Got it towed home. Had my moms boyfriend to check the transmission. He drove it and it was fine. Next morning started car and it sounded like a vacuum cleaner. (low volume) finally it went away. When I headed to work, it hesitated at first. The vacuum noise came back and was louder. Then I sped up to 50, it hard jerked again, and stayed in 3rd gear. As I went further loss power in inside lane of highway and car was smoking under the hood. Like it didn't know I was pushing the gas pedal. Started shaking at around 20 miles an hour. Pulled over and check engine light came on. Called a friend to pull me back home. It was reversing fine but would not go forward. So I changed the accelerator pedal sensor (whole pedal) that wasn't the problem. So then I changed the entire fuel pump/ injector. Still have all parts by the way. That wasn't the problem either. Put it on the machine and it gave a code for ECM and oxygen sensor. ESC light came on as well as TPMS, when I started the car. I could move forward but it was like I wasn't. this all started in February 2019

- Pittsburg, TX, USA

problem #7

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 116,630 miles
Loud knocking sound from under hood. Gets louder as engine heats. Unsafe to drive

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #6

Dec 162014

Sonata

  • 139,881 miles
When vehicle is started from a cold start, there is a noticeable rattle coming from engine that lasts about 3-7 seconds. Also while accelerating, the rattle is persistent with throttle input. I was told that the problem is the timing chain tensioner and that the Hyundai Sonatas have defective timing chain tensioners. I went to the Hyundai dealership and they quoted me $1,100 to fix the problem and made me aware that there was a tsb but not a recall on the part even though there is a revised tensioner. This is a ongoing issue and a hazard because the chain could have to much slack and cause the the timing to be off and future damage for the engine.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #5

Aug 112014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 104,743 miles

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

ESC light on along with check engine....need push button and turn off engine a couple of time.

- Pasco, WA, USA

problem #4

Sep 102014

Sonata

  • 149,000 miles
Engine failure -lower rod bent no cause by operator car well maintained.

- Cloud, FL, USA

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problem #3

Aug 062014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 143,056 miles
Driving while using cruise control at approximately 65 mph the check engine, air bag, and E.S.C light illuminated. Also, a simultaneous internal engine explosion resulted in an instant fire as well as a rod thrown from the vehicle damaging block and setting the car on fire from a resulting massive oil leak. There was no prior damage leading up to the incident nor any indication to my knowledge that there were any concerns with my car till it was too late unfortunately.

- Elk Grove , CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 102011

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 61,500 miles
While stopped at a busy intersection, with engine running and clutch to the floor (disengaged), the car began to lurch against the brake. The clutch began engaging by itself because the concentric slave cylinder had failed at 61,500 miles. The dealer advised the car was 1,500 miles out of warranty, total cost to repair was $1950 and 3 days of service. Because the leaking hydraulic fluid "soaked" the clutch, the $794 clutch/pressure plate needed replacement as well. Hyundai will not honor any "goodwill" adjustment.

- Amherst, NY, USA

problem #1

Jun 162009

Sonata

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. While driving for approximately three hours, the contact noticed that the trunk ajar warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. Another motorist alerted him that the rear of his vehicle was on fire. The contact pulled over and noticed that the wires in the trunk were on fire. He was able to safely extinguish the flames and resume driving. While driving 40 mph in third gear, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. In addition, the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. He is in the process of having the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the failures. The failure and current mileages were 43,000.

- Bosher City, LA, USA

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