2008 Hyundai ELANTRA: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WOULD WOBBLE EXCESSIVELY. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND A CRASH NEARLY OCCURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES IT FELT STRANGE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A BURNING TY…

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212315 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN YOU OPEN THE TRUNK AFTER A RAIN OR DURING IT RUNS OUT OF THE TAIL LIGHTS INTO THE TRUNK ON BOTH SIDES ON THE TRUNK LID FROM THE TAIL LIGHT LENSES DESIGN OF THE CAR IS THE PROBLEM I HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10217133 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 NORTH IN MARYLAND, A MOTORIST CUT ME OFF SUDDENLY, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND CAR SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, CROSSED ALL LANES, AND ROLLED OVER TWICE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE. AS A RESULT, I RECEIVED A FRACTURED STERNUM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 170 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226723 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING BEGAN TO VIBRATE WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS OF MAY 30, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104.

Owner-reported narrative. 104 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229353 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE ON VACATION IN MICHIGAN, MY SPOUSE AND I WERE HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER. WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH BOUND ON US 127 AT 35MPH, CROSSING OVER ADDISON RD (IN THE TOWN OF ADDISON) WHEN THE OTHER DRIVER CROSSED THE ROAD HITTING US. (HE WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.) HE STRUCK US ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND DENTED THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TO THE POINT THAT NEITHER DOOR COULD BE OPENED, AND BUCKLED THE REAR FENDER. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT IT BLEW OUT ALL THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOWS, BLEW OUT THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE, BENT THE B-PILLAR …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229467 at NHTSA ↗

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL DOWN ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN DEPRESSING THE BUTTON AND SOMETIMES IT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10229828 at NHTSA ↗

NEW 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS, HAD PROBLEMS IN 1ST GEAR ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD RUN VERY RUFF ,SOMETIMES STARTING THE CAR I WOULD TURN THE KEY AND IT WAS LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD HAD TO DO IT 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE THE STARTER WOULD CATCH ON AND START THE CAR. I ONLY DROVE THIS CAR FOR 12 DAYS BEFORE TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER FOR A COMPLETE CHECK UP ALSO THE ALARM WASNT WORKING. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD (NEW CAR ONLY 1000 MILES????) AND IT SHOULD TAKE A FEW DAYS TO GET THE PART IN, THEN AFTER A WEEK THEY TOLD ME…

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230228 at NHTSA ↗

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN APRIL OF 2008. THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOOSES ENGINE POWER, SHUTS DOWN AND STOPS. THIS HAS NOW OCCURRED THREE TIMES. ON JUNE 6TH THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN TRAFFIC. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY REPAIRED A PVC HOSE THAT HAD COLLAPSED. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE SAME EVENT OCCURRED, STRANDING US IN THE MIDDLE OF A DIVIDED, HEAVILY TRAVELED, ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THIS TIME THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. AFTER WAITING FIVE DAYS FOR THE PART TO BE DELIVERED…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,839 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231632 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2008-08-25 (August 25, 2008)

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.

Reported: 2008-12-29 (December 29, 2008)

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.

Reported: 2011-03-15 (March 15, 2011)

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.

Reported: 2011-03-15 (March 15, 2011)

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.

Reported: 2013-04-01 (April 1, 2013)

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.

Reported: 2015-02-23 (February 23, 2015)

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.

Reported: 2020-02-04 (February 4, 2020)

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.