The Lemon Index2008 Hyundai Elantra.
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra is worse than average by owner complaints: 116 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 124, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 27 to 28 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Elantra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 315 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Elantra year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 13K to 100K miles on the car (259 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 36K–103K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 19K–115K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 0K–5K miles
Recalls 7
- brakes 2020
On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles.
- steering 2015
The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.
- lights 2013
Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe…
Show all 7 recalls
- airbags 2011
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2007.
- airbags 2011
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008.
- fuel system, gasoline 2008
HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO (HPR) IS RECALLING 347 MY 2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 65,000 MY 2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES WITH 2.0 LITER BETA ENGINES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- After a vehicle has been stored for a while and is started there is a check engine light and…
- Higher-than-expected engine oil
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedEngine stalling - fuel pump failure2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 Hyundai Elantra recall for fuel pump motor problem. Consumer states that the dealership is having a problem with getting the parts for the car.
2008 Hyundai Elantra owner · NHTSA complaint 10254608
More owner reports
I took my 2008 Elantra in for service. They replaced the fuel pump due to a recall. That same day the car stalled in the middle of a busy highway. They just replaced the fuel pump again.
NHTSA complaint 10239774
2008 Hyundai Elantra. Consumer states vehicle has a mileage problem.
NHTSA complaint 10321960
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 124; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Elantra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (34%), airbags (16%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have?
7 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra get?
27 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,100 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 54,000 miles, from 259 complaints.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Elantra year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2014 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works