10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,501 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #47

Mar 252020

Sonata

  • 116,000 miles

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

My ervin ceased up on the highway at 60 mph. It thru an engin rod.the engin oil made it impossible to see anything. Now after just buying this car used, there are no engines available for replacement. Too many have blown up. And Hyundai says they are not being recalled. Same engin as the failures with the fatalities.I am stuck.

- Finksburg, MD, USA

problem #46

Mar 162020

Sonata

  • 236,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle overheated with the low oil level warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 236,000.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #45

Aug 142019

Sonata

  • 180,000 miles
Was heading to work on interstate 81, engine made loud boom sound scared me pulled over being afraid to drive had it towed to an auto repair shop. No engine light on. Repair done a diagnostic test said engine was blown, oll good no engine light but engine wouldn't turn over trying to do manually. My car only had 180,000 miles always did belts and maintenance.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #44

Mar 222019

Sonata

  • 3,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact took the vehicle to crown Hyundai (5301 34th St N, St. Petersburg, fl 33714, (888) 727-9161) regarding the rear back-up sensors and an unknown NHTSA recall related to the engine control module (ECM) cluster. When the dealer attempted to update the ECM cluster, they disabled the vehicle. The dealer kept the vehicle for twelve days, but did not provide a remedy. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a loaner vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 3,000.

- Parrish, FL, USA

problem #43

Oct 192017

Sonata

  • 13,000 miles
Car made a popping noise going down the highway then lost acceleration. The car then burst into flames.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #42

Feb 082019

Sonata

  • 152,800 miles
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 #41

Feb 262019

Sonata

  • 35,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 40 mph, there was an abnormal tapping noise and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to coconut creek Hyundai (4960 N. state road 7, coconut creek, fl 33073, (954) 283-1002), but was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the engine failed three times previously and was replaced under warranty. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 35,000.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #40

Jan 172019

Sonata

  • 174,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle from a small car dealership, when purchased the vehicle had a pretty high mileage however when test drived no service lights came on and the car ran smoothly. After four months of owning the car with only around 2K miles added to it, while I was driving down the freeway a knocking noise suddenly became apparent and the check engine light came on, I pulled over as soon as possible since there was visible smoke coming out of the hood of the vehicle.

- Tulare, CA, USA

problem #39

Dec 032018

Sonata

  • 77,000 miles
The engine out of nowhere began to knock (engine knock) and nobody from any point of management will help me out with this problem, even though it their engine and they will not take responsibilty for it, not help or anything was provided, the vehicle had began knocking after I had started it up one day and began driving it, I noticed the warmer the engine got, the louder it got, I took it to 2 different dealers and one of them being a Hyundai dealership and one being a Kia, both said the same thing

- Lansdale, PA, USA

problem #38

Oct 142018

Sonata

  • 125,500 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. The following day, the vehicle started making a knocking and rattling noise, similar to metal on metal, while driving 40 mph. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed flames under the hood near the engine. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was totaled and towed to a junk yard. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 125,500.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #37

Oct 062017

Sonata

  • 35 miles

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

I have a 2008 Hyundai Sonata and I have well maintained my vehicle but one day I hear a small ticking noise I took it to the dealership and they said it was the spark plugs so I got the full tune up. The very next day the car didnt want to start. Ive tried everything but nothing seems to work. I also did research and a few others were having the same exact symptoms in their cars. Also lots of people were complaining about the 2011 Hyundai Sonatas also. I also found out that they use the same engines for the 2008 I think we alll should get a fair play

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #36

Oct 012016

Sonata

  • 98,500 miles
This issue effects 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine model Sonatas. Metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. If the debris was not completely removed, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage. A worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure resulting in the need to rebuild or replace engine. My engine first failed out in October of 2016 and caused me to require an engine replacement. In August 2017 that same engine had the exact same issue happen to it. This has been 2 of the 2.4 cyl I-4 engines having the exact same issue on the exact same care with around the same mileage on both engines. There have been many various complaints reported all over the internet effecting this engine. Additionally, there is an open recall by Hyundai for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata for the exact same issue because the 2011 Sonata used the exact same engines that are in the 2008 Sonata. The link for that recall is here: NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 url: Https://www.NHTSA.gov/vehicle/2011/Hyundai/Sonata/4%252520dr/fwd%252520latest%252520release#recalls

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #35

Apr 102017

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
Driving on the highway at approximately 70 mph when my vehicle lost power without any warning whatsoever, including power steering. Momentum and struggle steering allowed me to move from center lane to shoulder of the road safely. Initially thought it was the leaky head cover gasket that slowly leaked onto the alternator. Had it towed to a reputable mechanic who later informed me the engine had seized. He did verify that was oil in the engine at the time. The car was not even 10 yrs old and purchased brand new.

- Marengo, IL, USA

problem #34

Mar 242017

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 30 mph, the air bag warning indicator illuminated for the driver side without warning. In addition, the check engine and tire pressure sensor warning indicators illuminated and turned off independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 141,000....updated 06/13/17 updated 10/11/2017

- Kingston, NY, USA

problem #33

Dec 272015

Sonata

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that there was a premature failure with the motor, there was no oil lean and that the vehicle was consuming a high volume of oil every 30 days. The oil and engine warning light randomly flashed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection and diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure to determine a solution to repair the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if the manufacturer may be able to provide a remedy to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V568000 (engine). The failure mileage was 30,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #32

Apr 122016

Sonata

  • 124,000 miles
Engine seized at around 124000 while driving. I have replaced with a used motor and now I believe the engine is going to blow again at the same mileage. I have used only mobil one synthetic oil in both motors.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #31

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 #30

Mar 062017

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
On the 3.3L engine there is a fault in the intake manifold gasket that causes oil to leak onto the alternator causing premature alternator failure. If the vehicle loses power while driving this can increase the risk of a crash. This problem has happened on other vehicles with this same engine such as the veracruz and a recall has been initiated. For some reason the recall does not extend to the Sonata as it should. The following is from the veracruz recall involving the same engine. "Hyundai motor company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative." My alternator has failed twice now, once while driving and I experienced a total loss of vehicle power. I was able to force the vehicle to the side of the road without incident but it easily could have gone bad on me as I was on the freeway in traffic. Once my alternator and subsequently my battery died I was left without control of the vehicle and without lights on the vehicle to warn other drivers of my situations.

- Syracuse, UT, USA

problem #29

Dec 152016

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 179,000 miles
The engine started knocking loudly, slowing down and idling rough. I pulled over and the car would not remain running in idle. I had the vehicle towed and inspected at the house and the valves are bad. It happened without any warning, lights or gauges coming on or prior noise. I was driving around 45-50 to work when this happened out of the blue. 179,000 miles on the car and regular oil changes since I had the vehicle. I purchase the vehicle with 60,000 miles.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #28

Sep 292016

Sonata

  • 118,000 miles
Engine control module(ECM) failed without warning while the vehicle was stationary, requiring extensive repairs. May have also caused battery, alternator, brake switch, condenser fan, and other electrical components to fail.

- Miami, FL, USA

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