10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,982 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 Sonata electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Apr 042022

Sonata

  • miles

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

Just about 2 months ago i exit my vehicle after parking up. As i exit i smelled a burning smell and heard sparks so i stepped away from vehicle asap and then the horn start honking and lights flashing on own. Then the car started up by itself and started to run without me in car and keys in my hand. Police came from noise distubing and took the battery off to stop. After that i couldnt start car so had towed in shop for 5 weeks. Hot out of shop and can start now but now my a.c. and windows doesnt work because mechanic said that something keep blowing those fuses out and if he puts yhem back in then the car will go back to not starting. I am guessing this is part of the recall.

- Middletown , NY, USA

problem #27

Mar 222019

Sonata

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact took the vehicle to crown Hyundai (5301 34th St N, St. Petersburg, fl 33714, (888) 727-9161) regarding the rear back-up sensors and an unknown NHTSA recall related to the engine control module (ECM) cluster. When the dealer attempted to update the ECM cluster, they disabled the vehicle. The dealer kept the vehicle for twelve days, but did not provide a remedy. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a loaner vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 3,000.

- Parrish, FL, USA

problem #26

Feb 082019

Sonata

  • 152,800 miles
2008 Hyundai Sonata 6cyl DOHC 3.3L / 152812 water pump went out. Replaced it. Then water ended up in the oil that got into the lifters. Ended up getting another motor. Then my A/C stopped working (didn't blow cool or cold air). Changed oil and oil filter myself along with the oil sensor ( connected to oil filter spot) that was leaking bad as long as the car was running.I was driving on the interstate, in front of a loaded 18 wheeler, driving 75 then my car jerked real hard then dropped down to 40. I had to pull over illegally to keep from getting hit by the truck. As I was catching my breath I turned the car off. When I started it back up it made a weird tick noise. Haven't heard that noise since. When I pulled off it hesitated to change gears from 2 to 3. it finally changed and did not come out of 3rd. Got it towed home. Had my moms boyfriend to check the transmission. He drove it and it was fine. Next morning started car and it sounded like a vacuum cleaner. (low volume) finally it went away. When I headed to work, it hesitated at first. The vacuum noise came back and was louder. Then I sped up to 50, it hard jerked again, and stayed in 3rd gear. As I went further loss power in inside lane of highway and car was smoking under the hood. Like it didn't know I was pushing the gas pedal. Started shaking at around 20 miles an hour. Pulled over and check engine light came on. Called a friend to pull me back home. It was reversing fine but would not go forward. So I changed the accelerator pedal sensor (whole pedal) that wasn't the problem. So then I changed the entire fuel pump/ injector. Still have all parts by the way. That wasn't the problem either. Put it on the machine and it gave a code for ECM and oxygen sensor. ESC light came on as well as TPMS, when I started the car. I could move forward but it was like I wasn't. this all started in February 2019

- Pittsburg, TX, USA

problem #25

Mar 212018

Sonata

  • 73,000 miles

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

Oil leaks from front valve cover gasket drips onto the alternator causes electrical system to shut down causing engine to shut down in traffic while in motion

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #24

Apr 252017

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles
I have the 3.3L V6 engine that is also in two other vehicles made by hyndai. Both of those vehicles have been recalled due to the fact that the engine leaks oil from a faulty gasket and drips onto the altenator. This causes the alternator to fail prematurely and often without warning. I am on my third one now and it is showing signs of failure. This can be extremely dangerous on the freeway when the vehicle all of a sudden loses all electrical power. This scenario has happened to me twice now. No headlights, no dashboard indicators, no brake lights, no turn signals. At 70mph this creates an extremely dangerous scenario.

- Syracuse, UT, USA

problem #23

Jan 172018

Sonata

  • 115,000 miles
Noticed oil was leaking onto my alternator, causing the car to shut off. Issue with the valve cover gasket.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #22

Dec 032017

Sonata

  • 86,000 miles

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

Car will not start. It's not battery related. I've found several complaints from Sonata owners of model years 2006-08. People have come to find out that it's ignition switch related. My car was parked, it has a brand new battery in it.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #21

Oct 062017

Sonata

  • 35 miles
I have a 2008 Hyundai Sonata and I have well maintained my vehicle but one day I hear a small ticking noise I took it to the dealership and they said it was the spark plugs so I got the full tune up. The very next day the car didnt want to start. Ive tried everything but nothing seems to work. I also did research and a few others were having the same exact symptoms in their cars. Also lots of people were complaining about the 2011 Hyundai Sonatas also. I also found out that they use the same engines for the 2008 I think we alll should get a fair play

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #20

Jun 212017

Sonata

  • 121,738 miles
When I put my car in park turn off the car my parking lights come on cant turn them off at switch have to disconnect my battery for fear my car wont start, also at dark while im driving I switch my lights to just the running lights my windshield wipers come on. No matter if my switch is on auto or off my lights still stay on. When I turn off the car and at times I cant get my key out of the ignition I have to wiggle the shiftier, and if that dose not work then I put my seat belt back on and push the lock and unlock button on my key fob. So with all of this I cant use the alarm nor the ability to unlock my door and to have my interior lights come on at night. This needs to be fixed because of the night time security features.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #19

Jun 012016

Sonata

  • 115,000 miles
Air bag light will not go off, dealership said it was the passenger seat belt receiver, which I replaced with a new part, airbag light is still on and now I am told it is the passenger seat pressure sensor. I saw there have been recalls but was told my car was not included. I am unable to inspect the car in the state of Maine now.

- Raymond, ME, USA

problem #18

Mar 062017

Sonata

  • 130,000 miles

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

On the 3.3L engine there is a fault in the intake manifold gasket that causes oil to leak onto the alternator causing premature alternator failure. If the vehicle loses power while driving this can increase the risk of a crash. This problem has happened on other vehicles with this same engine such as the veracruz and a recall has been initiated. For some reason the recall does not extend to the Sonata as it should. The following is from the veracruz recall involving the same engine. "Hyundai motor company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative." My alternator has failed twice now, once while driving and I experienced a total loss of vehicle power. I was able to force the vehicle to the side of the road without incident but it easily could have gone bad on me as I was on the freeway in traffic. Once my alternator and subsequently my battery died I was left without control of the vehicle and without lights on the vehicle to warn other drivers of my situations.

- Syracuse, UT, USA

problem #17

Feb 042017

Sonata

  • miles
My driver's side airbag light has been on for quite some time, and my passenger side airbag light is not detecting anyone sitting in the passenger seat. I took my car to a mechanic and was told it's an electrical issue with my airbags and may be due to a faulty wiring issue under the front passenger seat. Additionally, the low beam on my driver side lighting fixture is not working, although I've had the bulb replaced multiple times. Further, the headlights, although also replaced, don't work at all.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #16

Sep 292016

Sonata

  • 118,000 miles
Engine control module(ECM) failed without warning while the vehicle was stationary, requiring extensive repairs. May have also caused battery, alternator, brake switch, condenser fan, and other electrical components to fail.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #15

Aug 052016

Sonata

  • 103,200 miles
I first noticed a problem with my 2008 Hyundai Sonata on Friday 08-05-16 when I exited a highway and my seat belt and battery indicator lights began to alternate flashing. I scheduled an appointment with my mechanic a few days later (they are closed on weekends). While driving the vehicle over that weekend those same two indicator lights would continue to alternate flashing when driven below 40 mph. On 08-09-16, while driving on the highway to the mechanic, numerous other indicator lights on the dash began to turn on one by one. After exiting the highway the vehicle began stalling and ultimately lost power. My mechanic replaced the alternator and noticed a significant oil leak near the alternator. He steam cleaned the engine and then found an oil leak from the "front valve cover gasket" was the cause. He replaced it. I'm aware other Hyundai models have been recalled for the exact same problem. We also own a 2007 Hyundai veracruz and we experienced the same problem to that vehicle one year ago, when the veracruz was 8 years old. This happened to my Sonata at the same "age", 8 years old. The veracruz damage was covered by a Hyundai recall. I believe the 2008 Hyundai Sonata needs to be included in Hyundai's recall.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #14

Apr 252016

Sonata

  • 108,000 miles
While driving the seat belt light came on. About a minute later the radio shut off. Next most of the dash lights came on, the engine would not make power/accelerate, and the braking seemed weak/jerky. Pulled into a parking lot as soon as I could. Now all dash lights were on/blinking and the radio, sunroof, windows etc would not work. Thinking it was an electrical issue I left it running to investigate. Next thing I know the car is overheating even though the gauge isn't showing it. Steam everywhere and the overflow popped the cap off. Shut the car off. Once the car cooled I was able to see what happened. Oil has been dripping on to the alternator from a leak in the valve cover gasket. This killed the alternator which in turn caused the control/braking/acceleration issues one it was on battery only. I'm assuming the fan was not cooling either which resulted in the overheating.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #13

Oct 222007

Sonata

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed to work when attempting to turn the key over. The vehicle failed to start randomly on several occasions. In addition, the door latches failed to open from outside and inside the vehicle. The dealer and an independent mechanic were notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

- Eustis, FL, USA

problem #12

May 302015

Sonata

  • miles
Air bag light on dash will not go out. Passenger seatbelt air bag light also will not go out with or without someone in the seat. Both lights are still on after a warranty visit at the dealership. They cleared the codes and did the tensioner repair, but lights are still on. Several blogs with similar situations have come up with an internet search but even those people have spent the $ to fix the issue and the lights are still on for them too. Please fix!!!!!

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #11

Apr 102015

Sonata

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the key would not turn in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the ignition switch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Moultri, GA, USA

problem #10

Aug 112014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 104,743 miles
ESC light on along with check engine....need push button and turn off engine a couple of time.

- Pasco, WA, USA

problem #9

Aug 152014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
Engine died while driving. The cause was alternator failure due to oil leak from front valve cover. This is a 2008 Hyundai Sonata 2008 with 3.3 liters V6.

- Round Lake, IL, USA

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