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Electrical systemPart report

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 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202515%
20241730%
20232525%
20221919%
20213123%
20202711%
20193715%
20184315%
201711215%
2016228%
2015239%
20144712%
201315512%
201212619%
20115112%
20104813%
2009249%
20083110%
20073212%
20061610%
2005107%
200463%
2003104%
2002134%
2001217%
20003317%
19991814%
199824%
1997109%
19961414%
19951413%
19941621%
1993313%
1992931%

Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra

Steering
55 complaints
Brakes
52 complaints
Fuel system
45 complaints
Air bags
38 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
29 complaints
Engine
24 complaints
Exterior lighting
24 complaints
Other or unknown
24 complaints
Vehicle speed control
24 complaints
Engine cooling
17 complaints
Suspension
11 complaints
Visibility (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