10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,754 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #12

Jan 152023

Elantra

  • 127,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while idling at a stop sign, the RPMs dropped extremely low, and the vehicle stalled. After a visual inspection, the contact observed white smoke coming from the engine compartment and a coolant leak underneath the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure became a regular issue over the next 6 months. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Later, the vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic, who also failed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Deerfield Beach, FL, USA

problem #11

Jul 292010

(reported on)

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
2008 Hyundai Elantra. Consumer states vehicle malfunction the consumer stated the vehicle would unexpectedly stall and jerk at high speeds. It would also happen when the cruise control was set. The dealer concluded that no problem existed with the vehicle. The consumer stated the problem happened randomly and without warning. The consumer stated she had an accident during inclement weather due to the vehicle stalling.

- Beachwood, OH, USA

problem #10

Nov 102009

Elantra

  • 20,543 miles
Squeaking noise when turning off vehicle noise occurred every time vehicle was turned off. Under warranty dealer determined noise was coming from water pump due to an internal bearing failure.

- Wilton, CT, USA

problem #9

Sep 012009

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There were two similar incidents on my 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The car shut off suddenly while I was still driving it. The lights stayed on, but the engine shut off. The first time was a few months ago, although I can't remember exactly. I was making a sharp turn when the engine shut off. The second time was a few weeks ago. I was going at a slow speed when the engine shut off. The brakes didn't respond, so I had to use the emergency brake to stop the car. I crashed into a bush.

- Newport, RI, USA

problem #8

May 132009

Elantra

  • 9,000 miles
2008 Hyundai Elantra SE model # 44422 car is "jumping" while driving, feels like it's shifting gears while driving on highway/road. Has not stalled out while driving though. Sometimes check engine light will turn on after these episodes. I have taken car to autoland Hyundai in uniontown, pa (where care was purchased) multiple times now. They first said a wire was loose, and tightened it for problem to happen again. Then they put some type of holster in to correct the problem. Car drove ok for about 1 month, but now is having problem again. Happened twice tonight while driving and check engine light is now on.

- Uniontown, PA, USA

problem #7

Feb 152009

Elantra

  • miles
During a sharp, sudden turn at about 40 mph, the car shut off completely. The car is a 2008 Hyundai Elantra gls.

- Newport, RI, USA

problem #6

Aug 012008

Elantra

  • 1,115 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. While turning at 15 mph, the vehicle suddenly began to lose power when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Instead of accelerating, the engine slowed down, but never lost complete power. The contact pulled the vehicle over for approximately 20 minutes and attempted to restart it, but was unsuccessful. When she proceeded to accelerate, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle back to her residence. The following day the vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle; however, they suspected that the failure could have been due to the fuel quality. Through online research, the contact found numerous complaints and even an investigation on the same failure she is experiencing. The current and failure mileages were 1,115.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #5

Jul 272008

Elantra

  • 4,750 miles
My 2008 Hyundai Elantra started losing power at 70 mph, and almost stalled on the highway. I pulled off the road at the next exit and the car continued to reduce speed. I safely parked the car, and had to have the car towed. I was 300 miles away from my home. If I had stalled on the highway it would have been extremely dangerous.

- East Berlin, PA, USA

problem #4

Jul 212008

Elantra

  • 3,455 miles
I have a 2008 Elantra that stalled on July 21, 2008 on the New Jersey turnpike when it had 3,455 miles. The car decelerated so quickly that I was almost rear ended by an 18-wheeler. A half hour earlier it nearly stalled in an intersection and almost caused an accident. The check engine light turned on approximately 10 minutes before the the intersection incident and 40 minutes before almost being rear ended by the truck. A state trooper stopped to make sure I was okay and to escort me to the toll both / exit but I don't imagine he filed a report. I push the car off the turnpike exit and had it towed to the local Hyundai dealer. They diagnosed the problem as a failed fuel pump and replaced the part. There was no accident and no one was injured but the possibility of injury was very real.

- Newtown, CT, USA

problem #3

Jul 142008

Elantra

  • 1,500 miles
Engine stalled while driving, twice.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #2

Jul 212008

Elantra

  • 9,080 miles
2008 Hyundai Elantra with 9082 miles @ time of incident yesterday, on the way home from work on I-90 in massachussets traveling at highway speed, the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate or maintain speed. Had to make an emergency lane change to get over to the breakdown lane - this could have been dangerous. Vehicle at first would not accelerate beyond 20 mph after pulling over, then ran ok for a while. This morning, it stalled at the end of my driveway, but I was able to start again. Then it would not accelerate above 20 mph several times and would buck/run rough once at 20 mph. I was able to limp it to the local Hyundai dealership in arlington MA, where it is currently.

- Winchester, MA, USA

problem #1

May 082008

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 600 miles
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 they were still waiting on the part and there is a "natl back order on this part" and they should be getting in the part soon they hope. Week 2 there still waiting on the part and he has 4 cars waiting for the same part all Elantras (3from their stock). Week 3 still waiting, still no part, I called Hyundai they told me they dont know of any problems or possible recalls on the part and promised to call me back in 24 to 48 hrs, I had to call them back 4 days later asking why I didnt get a call back, another customer care agent helped me this time saying that she is so sorry im having such problem and promised to call me back that same day after she had a chance to talk to the service manager at the dealership. Im once again waiting with no call backs......the car has now been in their hands for 22 days with no part in hand to repair my car"??????". thought you should know about it...

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

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