The Lemon Index2008 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is worse than average by owner complaints: 136 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 116, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about visibility, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 22 to 25 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 425 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Sonata 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 34K to 102K miles on the car (343 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 29K–115K miles
- visibility complaints mostly came at 34K–65K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 71K–130K miles
Recalls 5
- suspension 2013
Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion o.
- 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…
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- airbags 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 393,308 MY 2006-2008 SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH FEATURES AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT.
- lights 2008
HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 4,085 REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2006-2008 SONATA AND AZERA VEHICLES.
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 56 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ecm and tcm update - vibration, shudder or boom noise at 38-42 mph
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedSeat belt buckle electrical malfunction2014
- ClosedRear control arm failure2013
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 $2550–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Passenger-side visor made a cracking noise when it was pulled down, now it will not stay up all the way; it just hangs halfway down.
2008 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 10345668
More owner reports
The passenger side sun visor will not stay up and is a danger because it hangs down in view. Its in the arm where something is broken, needs replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10406103
Driver's side sun visor flops down in front of the driver's eyes.
NHTSA complaint 10380802
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Hyundai Sonata 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 116; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (35%), airbags (32%) and brakes (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata have?
5 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 34,000 and 102,000 miles. The middle report was at 62,000 miles, from 343 complaints.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 4% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
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