Page 4 of 7 · complaints 151–200 of 315

2008 Hyundai Elantra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 7, 201463,980 milesIL

ENTERING A CROWDED PARKING LOT IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, I SLOWED DOWN TO APPROX. 2 MPH (ALMOST IDLE SPEED) AS I APPROACHED THE TICKET DISPENSER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED OVER 6000 RPMS AND TOOK OFF. AS REFLEX, I SLAMMED THE BRAKES (SINCE THE ABS DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT POWER) BUT THE ACCELERATION KEPT INCREASING AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT INHIBITING MOVEMENT SO I THEN FORCED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BREAK - ALL WITHIN A SECOND OR TWO. THE CAR STOPPED WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING A FEW OTHER CARS AND PEOPLE INSIDE THOSE CARS AFTER THE FORWARD MOMENTUM HAD BEEN OVERCOMPENSATED BY THE INITIAL BRAKE PUSH AND EMERGENCY BRAKING. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNT RUBBER AND OIL SMELL BUT IT WASN'T FROM THE TIRES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER TWO DRIVING CYCLES AND HAS REMAINED ON. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS ATTENTION! I AM VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND KNEW WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT BUT WAS STILL WITHIN INCHES OF SERIOUSLY HURTING OTHERS AND DESTROYING PROPERTY. I ALSO SUFFERED WHIPLASH ON MY NECK AND HIT THE STEERING COLUMN AS A RESULT OF THE SUDDEN STOP. AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. THERE ARE SEVERAL INCIDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS (MARCH 2013 - MAY 2013) BY DRIVERS IN SEVERAL STATES ON THIS SAME YEAR MODEL. I AM URGING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS. I WILL ALSO CONTACT HYUNDAI AND IF HYUNDAI DOESN'T RESPOND I WILL BE CONTACTING MEDIA OUTLETS BECAUSE HYUNDAI OWNERS NEED TO BE INFORMED OF THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND POTE

Steering
Filed Apr 21, 201444,348 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED AND THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED AND CLEARED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,348 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,967.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 16, 201420,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY BURNING OUT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE BRAKE LAMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 29, 201444,500 milesNJ

THE GAS PEDAL GOT "STUCK" IN THE DOWN POSITION WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN A PROBLEM BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, PASSING/MERGING/ACCELERATING IN ORDER TO GET ONTO AN ONRAMP WHICH CURVED SLIGHTLY TO GO INTO ANOTHER MAIN HIGHWAY. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN A BIT FOR THE RAMP, NOTHING HAPPENED. MY CAR CONTINUED TO GO AT THE SAME SPEED. I CONTINUED TO BRAKE, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I SLID MY FOOT OVER THE GAS PEDAL AND COULD TELL IT WAS STILL COMPLETELY "DOWN" AND MAKING THE CAR ACCELERATE AT FULL CAPACITY. I THEN GLANCED DOWN TO CONFIRM THAT THE PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE PEDAL, THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT STUCK UNDERNEATH, NOR WAS IT ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN. I CLICKED MY HAZARDS ON DURING THE PROCESS BECAUSE SINCE IT WAS AN ONRAMP, THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. AS I CONTINUOUSLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR ONLY SLOWED DOWN APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH TOTAL, BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN, THEREFORE THE BRAKES WERE TRYING TO WORK AGAINST THE FULL POWER OF THE ACCELERATION. ONCE THE PASSENGER REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, HE HELPED BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THIS HELPED SLOW THE CAR, AND I THEN PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN HIGHWAY ONRAMP. THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO REACT QUICK ENOUGH TO GO AROUND AND NOT HIT THE CAR. I TRIED TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO HELP DIAGNOSE THIS ISSUE A

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 24, 2014132,000 milesWI

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AS IF CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, WHICH IT WASN'T. WE PULLED OVER AND PULLED THE FLOOR MATS OFF IN CASE THEY WERE MAKING THE GAS PEDAL STICK. WHEN WE STARTED BACK UP, THE CAR DID IT AGAIN. WE TRIED TO PULL OVER AGAIN AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE ACCELERATION UNTIL WE THREW THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. EVEN THEN, THE BRAKES WERE FIGHTING THE INCREASED ACCELERATION. WE THEN MADE OUR WAY OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND WERE ABLE TO BRAKE THE CAR ENOUGH TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO BRING IT TO THE SHOP. WE ARE GRATEFUL WE DIDN'T GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND ARE STILL PRETTY FREAKED OUT ABOUT IT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 201489,000 milesCA

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS NOTED TO BE ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A BROKEN WIRE IN THE MAIN ENGINE HARNESS. THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 12, 201330,000 milesCA

IN MARCH OF THIS YR, A FRIEND INFORMED ME THAT MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT. I HAD THE BULB REPLACED & THEN GOT A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE WORK WAS PERFORMED IN JUNE (REPLACEMENT OF A STOP SWITCH I BELIEVE IS WHAT IT WAS CALLED)..........LAST WEEK I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A COUPLE OF PROBLEMS THAT I FELT WERE RECALL RELATED. BOTH MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT AGAIN, MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT & I INFORMED THEM THAT ONE DAY I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ALL OF THESE I FELT WERE RECALL RELATED BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT.........THAT THE ELANTRA HAS A HISTORY OF BURNING BRAKE LIGHTS OUT. AND I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE PROBLEM W/THE GEAR SHIFT HAPPENS AGAIN, TO BRING MY CAR IN. I FEEL THAT THIS RECALL, BETWEEN THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT, CRUISE CONTROL CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DISENGAGE & HAVING A PROBLEM W/THE GEAR SHIFT ARE ALL PRETTY SERIOUS ISSUES. I FEEL LIKE THERE IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE W/THE ELANTRA. I DON'T THINK THE WORK THEY DID FIXED ANYTHING. *TR

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 30, 201380,000 milesMA

IF SOMEONE HAD NOTIFIED ME ABOUT MY NEW CAR AND ITS PROBLEMS I WOULD OF NOT BEEN IN THREE DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS FRONT END ALL OF THEM AND CHECK FOR YOUR SELF MY RECORD IN DRIVING WAS PERFECT LAST TEN YEARS OR MORE WHEN I HAD MY OLDER CAR IN YEAR AND NO ACCIDENTS .. HI I HAVE BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN DEC OF 2012 A FEW MONTHS GOES BY AND I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ,, KEEP IN MIND BEFORE I HAD A JETTA OLD MODEL NO ACCIDENTS SINCE THE DAY I GOT MY LICENSE .. I FELT WHEN I TRIED TO JAM ON BRAKES TO NOT GET IN ACCIDENT MY BRAKES STOP ALITTLE BUT LUNGED FORWARD I PUSHED VERY HARD STILL AGAIN STOP LUNGED FORWARD .. NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER IT WAS FIXED AND I SPRAINED MY NECK ANOTHER FRONT END DAMAGE OCCURRED BRAKES AT FAULT BECAUSE PUSHED HARD TO STOP IN SUDDEN ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY DEFECTS OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD LET ME THINK BREAKS ARE NOT PERFECT AS THEY SHOULD BE .. I HAD A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD SINCE I WAS SIXTEEN FOR THE MOST PART LAST TEN YRS NO ACCIDENTS . BUT AS SOON AS I PURCHASE THIS ELANTRA THREE ACCIDENTS I WILL NOT BE PUNISHED FOR REASON I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALLS . *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 201378,000 milesND

THE CRUISE CONTROL ON HYUNDAI ELANTRA FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHILE I DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH DESPITE REPEATEDLY PUSHING THE "CANCEL" AND "OFF" BUTTONS. FIRM BRAKING ALSO FAILED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I MANAGED TO STOP ONLY AFTER PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND APPLYING HEAVY/MAXIMUM BRAKING. SMOKE. TIRES DESTROYED. SCARY! MY CHILD AND I ALMOST DIED. THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. KIA AND HYUNDAI RECENTLY RECALLED 1.9 MILLION VEHICLES TO FIX THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, THIS INCIDENT SUGGESTS THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR HAD THE RECALL PROCEDURE COMPLETED ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT OCCURING.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Aug 21, 201383,600 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO OBJECT THROWN AT THE CAR OR ANYTHING, IT JUST SHATTERED. WHEN I CONTACTED THE AUTO GLASS COMPANY TO FIX IT THEY SAID THEY HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE BUT I NEVER HAVE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 19, 201381,382 milesAL

THE FACTORY RADIO IN THE CAR STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. THE AUXILIARY PORT DOES NOT WORK AND THE DISPLAY ON THE RADIO IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS REPAIRED YET, THE LOCAL HYUNDAI SAID THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS THEREFORE IT WILL BE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 11, 201373,184 milesTN

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE COMPLAINT CONCERNING CAMPAIGN 110. SUN VISOR WILL FALL RANDOMLY AND OBSTRUCT THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 25, 201355,000 milesRI

TRAVELING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jul 19, 201378,900 milesAZ

BOTH VISORS BREAK AND DETACH AT PRIMARY SWIVELING ELBOW HANGING DOWN, UNABLE TO SECURE IN ANY WAY, UNABLE TO DETACH ELECTRICAL WIRE WITHOUT SEVERE DAMAGE, MUST DRIVE ONE HANDED TO OPERATE THE CAR. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 1, 201394,000 milesVT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN EMPTY TANK READING ALTHOUGH THE FUEL CAPACITY LEVEL WAS AT ONE QUARTER FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2008 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V694000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 19, 201329,123 milesCA

THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON A 4 LANE, NON DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK IN NORMAL MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.THERE WAS NO WARNING. WHILE MOVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR.THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAD NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY TYPE THAT THE STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE OR WOULD FAIL. IT FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE HAD VERY DIRE RESULTS. *TR

Steering
Filed Jun 7, 201389,381 milesVA

THE EPS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 3, 2013OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR AN ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,700.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed May 18, 2013189,148 milesVA

TRAVELING 38-40 MPH DAMP ROAD, SWERVED TO MISS ANIMAL. FISH TAIL, SPUN APPROXIMATELY 270 DEGREES; HIT TREE ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR; BROKE PASSENGER WINDOW. PUSHED FORWARD, HIT TREE IN FRONT QUARTER PANEL PASSENGER SIDE THEN AGAIN HIT TREE DIRECTLY FRONT CENTER OF CAR. ESC DID NOT WORK (RECEIVED ESC RECALL WHEN GOT HOME FROM ACCIDENT); BRAKES LOCKED UP (ABS DIDN'T WORK); NEITHER FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR TOTALED: DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER; ENGINE HOOD; FRONT WINDSHIELD; PASSENGER DOOR; PASSENGER WINDOW; FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BENT IN TOWARDS CAR. PASSENGER RECEIVED LACERATIONS FROM BROKEN GLASS, DRIVER & PASSENGER RECEIVED SEVERAL BUMPS, BRUISES, SORE NECKS, SORE BACKS. HAVE ANOTHER HYUNDAI WITH INTERMITTENT TPS LIGHT - DEALER WONT FIX... HUGE CONCERN WITH SAFETY! *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 26, 201384,000 milesOH

ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 16TH, MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA (84000 MILES) STARTED MAKING AN UNUSUAL SOUND FROM THE REAR RIGHT. AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME, THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. AS I WAS WITHIN MILES OF A MECHANIC, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT PUT ON THE LIFT. ONCE IT WAS ON THE LIFT AND THE WEIGHT WAS OFF THE SUSPENSION, THERE WAS A LOUD METALLIC NOISE FROM THE RIGHT REAR. UPON INSPECTION, THE BOLT FOR THE RIGHT REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM HAD SHEERED, BUT THE CONTROL ARM ITSELF WAS FROZEN IN PLACE BY RUST AGAINST THE VEHICLE BODY. ADDITIONAL BOLTS WERE ALSO FROZEN IN PLACE WITHIN THE SUSPENSION BUSHINGS AND COULD NOT BE MOVED BY HAND. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THEY RECOMMENDED THE CAR BE TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM THE LIFT TO BE TOWED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE COLLAPSED INWARD AGAINST THE WHEEL-WELL. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A FLAT BED AS IT COULD NOT BE TOWED DUE TO THE SUSPENSION PROBLEM. AT THE COLLISION SHOP, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE BOLTS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION WERE RUSTED, ALONG WITH THE CROSS-MEMBER. THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER AND ATTACHED COMPONENTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, IT WAS NOTED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS MISALIGNED AND "BADLY CUPPED" DESPITE HAVING BEEN REPLACED AND ALIGNED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 12, 201377,366 milesCA

I HAD STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. I STARTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I NOTICED THE EPS SENSOR ON THE DASHBOARD WAS ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR STRANGE SOUND. I WAS PROBABLY GOING 5 MPH SINCE, THERE APPEARED TO BE NO POWER IN CAR. I PULLED OVER LEAVING THE VEHICLE ON. I PRECEDED TO MAKE MY WAY HOME. HAVING NO REAL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS STILL A GOOD DISTANCE FROM VEHICLE. I DID HEAR A CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN. I TOOK INTO TO THE DEALER IN 2011, THEY WE'RE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SOUND. AT THAT TIME IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THAT IS THE ONLY WARNING I COULD OF POSSIBLY HAD THERE WAS SOMETHING UNSAFE ABOUT THE VEHICLE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 3, 201377,951 milesCA

CAR FOLLOWING ME NOTIFIED ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I HAVE CHANGE MY BRAKE BULBS 3 TIMES LAST YEAR AND 1 TIME BEGING OF THIS YEAR. STOP AND CHECK ALL MY BULBS AND FUSE THEY WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT 2008 ELANTRA'S WERE NOT COVERED BY THEIR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR A DIGNOSTIC THAT WILL COST $110. THEY TOLD ME THAT EVEN IF THEIR WERE A RECALL, THE RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT MY CAR AND IS NOT IN THEIR DATABASE. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 1, 201328,600 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 21, 2013102,043 milesFL

CAR FOLLOWING ME NOTIFIED ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. STOP LAMP FUSE I WAS CHECKED AND WAS GOOD AS WELL AS BOTH REAR STOP LAMP BULBS. I INSPECTED THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH NEAR THE BRAKE AND FOUND IT TO STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. AFTER PRESSING THE SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES THE SWITCH WORKED FOR A FEW TIMES AND THEN STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT 2008 ELANTRA'S WERE NOT COVERED BY THEIR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR REPAIR. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 20, 201376,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WHO STATED THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 14, 201337,128 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SOMEONE ALERTED HER AND ADVISED HER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 37,128. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 4, 2013120,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BUT THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 05/10/13*LJ UPDATED 05/21/2013 *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 2, 201323,950 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, INCHING ALONG AT LOW SPEED FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILES; STOPPING AND STARTING ALL THE WAY, SUDDENLY DURING ONE OF THESE STOPS, THE MOTOR STARTED TO REV AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, WHILE PARKING THE CAR IN A PARKING SPACE, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAD ALREADY STOPPED AND WAS PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI GARAGE WHERE THEY DID ROAD TESTING. COMPUTER TESTS SHOWED NO CODES; SO NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. WHEN THE TECH LINE OF THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON THIS MATTER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO CASES RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM ON FILE. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SPORADICALLY SINCE 2010. LAST REPORTED AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM TO THE HYUNDAI GARAGE EARLY IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012. NO ONE AT HYUNDAI WANTS TO HELP ME. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 25, 201367,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DECELERATED AND APPLIED FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 13, 201372,000 milesNY

ON 02/12/2013 I OBSERVED THE BRAKES LIGHTS ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TO BE OUT. I CHECKED THE FUSES, ALL WERE GOOD. A PRIVATE MECHANIC CHECKED AND STATED THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH WAS BAD AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 11, 201358,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 9, 201329,755 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN,HAD TO PUSH HARD ON BRAKES TO AVOID, HITTING ANOTHER CAR.BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED HARD. *TR

Power TrainCrash
Filed Jan 24, 201339,000 milesPA

DEAR MADAM/SIR, MY NAME IS [XXX], AND ALONG WITH MY HUSBAND [XXX] I OWN AN AUTOMATIC SILVER HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2008, PLATE NUMBER: [XXX], VIN: [XXX]. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, SERVICED IT IN A TIMELY FASHION, AS REQUIRED, ONLY AT HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVES. THE CAR METER CURRENTLY READS CLOSE TO 40,000 MILES. ON JANUARY 2ND, 2013 ARUND 4:15 PM I PARKED MY CAR ON THE STREET, IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, FACING UPHILL, LIKE I USUALLY DO. HALF AN HOUR LATER A FRIEND ARRIVED, PARKED HER CAR DOWN THE STREET, FACING DOWNHILL, 100 FEET AWAY FROM MY CAR, SAME SIDE OF THE STREET. AT THAT TIME SHE REMEMBERS SHE SAW MY CAR IN THE SAME SPOT I INITIALLY PARKED IT. AN HOUR LATER, AS MY FRIEND WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE, MY HUSBAND LOOKED OVER THE WINDOW AND SAW MY CAR AROUND 50 FEET DOWN THE ROAD FROM MY USUAL PARKING SPOT. HE INITIALLY THOUGH THAT THE PARKING SPACE WAS OCCUPIED WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, SO HE HANDED ME THE CAR KEYS SO I CAN BRING THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. WHEN I WALKED WITH MY FRIEND TOWARDS HER CAR, WE SAW THAT MY CAR HAS SLID DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 50 FEET, PROBABLY PUSHING MY FRIEND'S CAR AROUND 10 FEET AWAY FROM HER INITIAL PARKING LOCATION. THE FRONT BUMPER OF MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE SCRATCHES, SO IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN PUSHED BY ANOTHER CAR. AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS A COMPLETELY DAMAGED REAR BUMPER, WITH CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK ALSO. MY FRIENDS CAR (A LEXUS RX, 2012) HAS THE REAR BUMPER DAMAGED. WE BELIEVE THIS INCIDENT WAS DUE TO F

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 24, 201255,819 milesGA

WHILE DRIVING EAST TOWARD HOME, A LARGE SUV OR PICKUP TRUCK CAME AROUND THE CURVE WITH BRIGHT LIGHTS ON, THUS BLINDING ME. I DID NOT SEE A CAR TURNING LEFT UNTIL TOO LATE TO STOP. RESULTING IN REAR ENDING THE OTHER CAR. THE AIR BAGS ON MY HYUNDAI FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO I DO NOT THINK THE RIGHT SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH ALLOWING MY WIFE, THE PASSENGER TO TRAVEL TO ITS END AND HITTING HER HEAD ON THE DASH OR WINDSHIELD, ALSO INJURING HER RIGHT SHOULDER. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RECALLS ON SEAT BELTS OR AIR BAGS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 18, 2012120,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD MY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND THE BULBS. I LOOKED UP ON LINE AND SEEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HYUNDAI VEHICLES DUE TO THE STOP LAMP SWITCH PROBLEM. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 5, 201269,000 milesTX

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON FM 429 AND HIT A PATCH OF LOOSE GRAVEL. THE CAR BEGAN TO SKID AND LANDED FRONT FIRST INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO ROLL MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL IT RESTED ON ITS SIDE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY AIR BAG THAT DEPLOYED WAS WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE DOOR TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTED ON IT'S SIDE AND SHE HAD A HARD TIME GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 2, 201225,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL AWAY AND COME OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PARK PAWL FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD ALWAYS ENGAGE ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,125.

Steering
Filed Oct 29, 2012112,000 milesAL

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON ROAD. ALMOST WRECKED. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 2, 201234,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THEY FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 95 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,143.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 25, 201292,846 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ADVISED BY A POLICE OFFICER THAT HER TAIL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,846.

Power Train
Filed Sep 17, 201288,000 milesTN

2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. TRIED MOVING THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER LOCATION, ADJUSTING STEERING WHEEL AND SHIFT LEVER. FINALLY, DEPRESSED SHIFT LOCK OVERRIDE BEFORE I COULD GO TO PARK AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. HAD TO DEPRESS SHIFT LOCK OVERRIDE TO START THE CAR. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 13, 201240,000 milesVA

WAS UNABLE TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE OR PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE. HAD TO USE EXTRA KEY TO ENGAGE THE SWITCH LOCK IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. RESEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND RECALLS FOR MODELS 05-07 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL # 092. INFORMED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151 SO THEY COULD ADD TO THEIR DATABASES. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 2, 201248,000 milesNJ

I STARTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN PARK ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN IT STARTED BUCKING FORWARD AND I ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I TOLD HYUNDAI SERVICE THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AND THEY SAID TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON BEFORE I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE. I HAVE DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF CARS AND NEVER HAD A CAR START JERKING FORWARD IN PARK NO MATTER WHAT INCLINE I WAS ON. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS AND HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX IT. THE SHIFTER STAYS IN PARK WHILE THIS IS OCCURRING. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 18, 201285,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 9, 2012MO

RECALL ON 2008 ELANTRA HYUNDAI. CONNECTOR COVER PROBLEM AFTER INSTALL- COLD WEATHER. AFTER STARTING, UNABLE TO SHIFT GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE UNTIL THE WEATHER WAS WARM. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE GEAR IN PARK. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A POLE.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed May 3, 201261,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ALL THREE BRAKES LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FUSES WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 UPDATED 06/18/12 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HER VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL# 09V12000 DUE TO EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/21/12

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed Apr 30, 201265,000 milesMO

CAME TO STOP LIGHT, THE GENTLEMAN IN THE CAR NEXT TO ME AT THE STOPLIGHT TOLD ME HE ALMOST HIT ME A LITTLE WAYS BACK WHEN I STOPPED TO LET A VEHICLE TURN. HE STATED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. CHECKED AND IT WAS TRUE THE BACK WINDOW LIGHT AND BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CHECKED THE FUSES AND BULBS. ALL WERE GOOD. NOTIFIED THAT STOP LAMP SWITCH IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THROUGH RESEARCH APPEARS THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI ELANTRAS, UNFORTUNATELY, THE 2008'S HAVE YET TO BE RECALLED. CALLED HYUNDAI TO DOUBLE CHECK RECALLS AND THEY CONFIRMED NO RECALL AT THIS TIME ON THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. *JS

Steering
Filed Apr 19, 201269,660 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE, BUT ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,660 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,900.

Structure
Filed Jan 6, 2012VT

MY CAR I BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN MARCH OF 09 I HAD ABOUT 9200 MILES WHEN THINGS STARTED TO BANG THEY CHANGE RUBBERS MOUNTS I TOOK IN BACK THEY SAID WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS WE CAN NOT FIX IT THEN I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING THEY HAD PEOPLE FROM HYUNDAI NEW JERSEY AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND COULD NOT FIND NOTHING ITS STILL BANGING I TOOK IT BACK 7-8 TIMES THERE LAZY OR DON'T KNOW WHAT THERE DOING I DO HAVE A WARRANTY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 28, 201165,000 milesAZ

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. KMJ

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra → · Every Elantra year → · How the figures are calculated →