2008 Hyundai Elantra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 56 of 315 complaints (18%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (30) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 266 in 2007 to 315 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,600 | 2,250–2,300 | 2,250–2,300 | 2,250–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–26 | 27–28 | 27–28 | 26–28 | 26–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–23 / 29–31 | 24–25 / 33 | 24–25 / 33 | 23–25 / 30–33 | 23–26 / 30–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–370 | 317–329 | 317–329 | 317–342 | 306–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 155 | 266 | 315 | 284 | 454 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 28 | 21 | 38 | 28 | 49 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 13 | 23 | 11 | 13 | |
| Injuries reported | 23 | 17 | 41 | 24 | 53 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
Brakes: 56 of 315 NHTSA complaints (18%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 27–28 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
EPA estimates $2,250–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 33 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 33 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 329 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 41 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 45 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical | 30 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 56 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 0 |
| Steering | 55 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 40 | 22 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 24 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 35 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Other | 26 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Campaign 20V061000 · Feb 5, 2020
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 15V100000 · Feb 23, 2015
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. 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.
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 13V113000 · Apr 1, 2013
Defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. 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, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 11V179000 · Mar 16, 2011
Defect: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2007. THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR DETERMINES THE SEAT'S FORE AND AFT POSITION AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AT THE PRESSURE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT SEATING POSITION, WITH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IN THE MOST FORWARD SEATING POSITIONS. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE MAY RECEIVE AN UNSTABLE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR SUCH THAT, IN A CRASH THAT REQUIRES DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY AT THE HIGHER PRESSURE THAN INTENDED IF THE SEAT WAS POSITION IN ONE OF THE FORWARD POSITIONS IN WHICH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.
Consequence: A HIGHER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT THAN INTENDED INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY RESULTING FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 11V143000 · Mar 3, 2011
Defect: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A WEIGHT SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE RIGHT FRONTAL AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPANTS OF CERTAIN WEIGHTS OCCUPY THE SEAT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT.
Consequence: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY IN CRASHES IN WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WEIGHT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 08V694000 · Dec 30, 2008
Defect: HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO (HPR) IS RECALLING 347 MY 2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES. THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER, UNIFORM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SURFACE CONTACT. THIS MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO PRODUCE LESS PUMPING PRESSURE THAN REQUIRED TO SUPPLY THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, POOR ENGINE STARING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT. OTHER ENGINE PERFORMANCE ISSUES MAY ALSO RESULT AND LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP SUBASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HPR AT 1-800-981-0188.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 08V429000 · Aug 25, 2008
Defect: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 65,000 MY 2008 ELANTRA VEHICLES WITH 2.0 LITER BETA ENGINES. THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER UNIFORM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SURFACE CONTACT. THIS MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO PRODUCE LESS PUMPING PRESSURE THAN REQUIRED TO SUPPLY THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Consequence: POOR ENGINE STARTING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT. OTHER ENGINE PERFORMANCE ISSUES MAY ALSO RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SUBASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.