2008 Hyundai ACCENT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
101 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
49,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 82 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 101 complaints (30.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 14.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 31 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Visibility | 6 |
| Engine | 4 |
Air Bags: 31; Visibility/Wiper: 17; Service Brakes: 10; Exterior Lighting: 9; Electrical System: 7; Unknown Or Other: 6; Visibility: 6; Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2008: 6; 2009: 5; 2010: 8; 2011: 5; 2012: 6; 2013: 17; 2014: 20; 2015: 9; 2016: 9; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10237551 · 2008-08-09 (August 9, 2008)
2008 ACCENT, I BOUGHT IN FEBRUARY HAS GROUND HOG PROBLEMS. TWO WEEKS AGO, I SAW A GROUND HOG GO UNDER MY CAR AND SEVERAL TIMES AFTER. ABOUT TEN DAYS AGO, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STAY IN 1ST GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT (WHEN STARTING). WHEN IT FINALLY DID SHIFT,AT ABOUT 4 K RPM, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REMAIN IN THE HIGHER GEARS. TRYING TO START FROM A DEAD STOP IS QUITE SLOW. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERS. THE REPAIR MAN SAID THAT 3 OF THE CABLES WERE CHEWED. ONE FOR THE TRANS., ONE FOR THE BRAKE LEVEL IN…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,710 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10244930 · 2008-10-09 (October 9, 2008)
I RENTED AN HYUNDAI ACCENT FOR ONE DAY, AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN I BRAKE TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC OR FOR A RED LIGHT THE CAR ENGINE WOULD SURGE AND YOU HAD TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING. THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE TO 2,000 RPMS WHILE IN DRIVE, AND WHEN I SHIFTED IT TO NEUTRAL ONCE IT SURGED TO 5,000 OR 6,000 RPMS. I REPORTED IT TO THE RENTAL COMPANY WHEN I RETURNED IT, BUT THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD ALSO REPORT IT HERE. I DO NOT KNOW THE YEAR OF THE CAR, BUT IT HAD 15,000 MILES ON IT, SO I WOULD GUESS THAT IT WAS A 2008. IF YOU DID NEED …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10247455 · 2008-11-02 (November 2, 2008)
I HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY THE FACTORY REP, AND SERVICE MGR. AT CRESTMONT HYUNDAI VIA A ROAD TEST. I DESCRIBED THE VIBRATION PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES AND THEY BOTH AGREED TO "LOAD " BALANCE THE TIRES, WHICH TOOK AWAY MOST OF THE TIRE PROBLEMS. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS WITH THE SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION ( AUTOMATIC) WHEN COLD OR HOT. WHEN COLD GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE CAR HAS A " DEAD" ZONE BEFORE IT WILL ENGAGE INTO DRIVE. THESE FEW SECONDS THAT I WAIT FOR IT TO ENGAGE HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS IN TRAFFIC, WHICH I FEEL WILL RESULT IN A ACCIDENT. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10247455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10428339 · 2011-10-03 (October 3, 2011)
MY 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT GS WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A FUEL PUMP. I HAD IT REPLACE. THE CAR WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL I WENT TO PUT GAS IN IT. I'VE GOTTEN STUCK AT THE GAS STATION 3 TIMES AFTER I HAVE PUT GAS IN MY TANK. IT SEEMS THAT EVERYTIME I PUT GAS IN IT DOES NOT WANT TO START. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I'VE SEEN ONLINE THAT HUNDREDS OF HYUNDAI VEHICLE OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. AND I FEEL THAT HYUNDAI NEED…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10428339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11043280 · 2017-11-04 (November 4, 2017)
THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST UNDERBODY, AND THE FUEL TANK STRAPS ARE RUSTED ALONG WITH JUST ABOUT THE WHOLE FRAME. THE BRAKES ARE NOW SQUEALING AND RUBBING AFTER AN ALLEGED UNDERBODY RUST TREATMENT, WHICH SPRAYED OVER THE OLD RUST! HYUNDAI HAS OFFERED A "WAX TREATMENT" WHICH IS BASICALLY WAXING MY RUST. THE FUEL STRAPS SEEM TO ME TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT ALWAYS FASTEN AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUES, STA…
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10659879 · 2014-11-20 (November 20, 2014)
LEFT SUN VISOR SNAPPED OFF AS I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY ON A SUNNY DAY. I DISCONNECTED THE WIRING AND VISOR SO AS TO IMPROVE VISIBILITY. I AM WAITING FOR A RECALL IN ORDER TO HAVE THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COMPLETED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10659879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853910 · 2016-04-06 (April 6, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DAMAGE OCCURRED AT THE ENGINE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 116,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329280 · 2010-05-07 (May 7, 2010)
I OWN A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT, AND IT HAS ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD IT IN THE SHOP TWICE THIS MONTH THE FIRST TIME FOR THE COILS AND THE SECOND FOR A MISS FIRE. THIS IS GETTING TO BE RIDICULOUS, I JUST GOT IT OUT THE SHOP 2 DAYS AGO AND NOW THE STEERING IS OFF, REALLY BAD. IT WAS SO BAD I COULD BARELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. NOW I'LL BE TAKING THIS CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ONE MONTH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10366665 · 2010-11-18 (November 18, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT GL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SHAFT, TWO FRONT RIMS, TIRES AND A POWER STEERING PUMP. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FRONT END CONTINUED TO SHAKE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11233115 · 2019-07-18 (July 18, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOSHEN MOTORS (3220 ELCOTT RD, GOSHEN, IN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 121,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11233115 at NHTSA ↗