2008 Hyundai Elantra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 10%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 10% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2008 Hyundai caught fire in my garage on february 18, 2020. The fire destroyed my car and my garage. My neighbor happened to be taking his dog out at 4:00 am and smelled smoke. He looked over and saw smoke coming out of my garage.he frantically rang the doorbell, woke me and my husband up and we called 911. We could have died as a result.”
NHTSA complaint #11321087, filed 2020-04, 129,000 miles“The light indicating there is low air pressure came on. I took it to have the tires looked at. The pressure is supposed to be set at 32. They were all between 29-32 so they adjusted the pressure to the correct setting. Said my tires were fine and the sensor is still on. Why is this? And has there been any other problems with this light?”
NHTSA complaint #10614868, filed 2014-07, 63,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10489145, filed 2012-12, 120,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10536040, filed 2013-08, 81,382 miles“While driving home on the highway after a rainy day, the ABS light and parking brake lights came on. I checked the parking brake; it was not engaged. The car seemed to be braking on its own as I continued to drive. Upon arriving home, there was some smoke coming from the left front wheel which, after it dissipated, I assumed to be hot, locked up brakes. About an hour later my housemate called to me from the living room telling me my car was on fire and to call 9-1-1. The car was parked in front of my house, under a magnolia tree. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311505, filed 2020-02, 168,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day…
- 10170883Jan 16, 2020This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common…
- 10160098Apr 15, 2019This bulletin provides the procedure to write the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) during the replacement of the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 17 | 30% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 19 | 19% |
| 2021 | 31 | 23% |
| 2020 | 27 | 11% |
| 2019 | 37 | 15% |
| 2018 | 43 | 15% |
| 2017 | 112 | 15% |
| 2016 | 22 | 8% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 47 | 12% |
| 2013 | 155 | 12% |
| 2012 | 126 | 19% |
| 2011 | 51 | 12% |
| 2010 | 48 | 13% |
| 2009 | 24 | 9% |
| 2008 | 31 | 10% |
| 2007 | 32 | 12% |
| 2006 | 16 | 10% |
| 2005 | 10 | 7% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 | 21 | 7% |
| 2000 | 33 | 17% |
| 1999 | 18 | 14% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 10 | 9% |
| 1996 | 14 | 14% |
| 1995 | 14 | 13% |
| 1994 | 16 | 21% |
| 1993 | 3 | 13% |
| 1992 | 9 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra
55 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsFuel system
45 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsExterior lighting
24 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology