2008 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 8%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,282miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 8% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,282 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 11 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 Elantra has the airbags light on for about few years. I also have a problem on my car that is recently starting to have problems starting up. It has tune up, new sensors, new coils, and etc. I bought a fuel pump oem and the pump is not 2 years old.”
NHTSA complaint #11288161, filed 2019-12, 248,800 miles“The car went up in flames while parked in our driveway. It had not been driven for at least 4 hours. It could have caught our house on fire if not for the quick response by the fire department.”
NHTSA complaint #11361727, filed 2020-09, 175,000 miles“The car was parked in garage. At 4:40 am my neighbor woke me up to tell me my garage was on fire. Firefighters came and saw that the car was on fire which burnt down the whole car and my garage”
NHTSA complaint #11311711, filed 2020-02, 130,000 miles“My car wouldn't start and hissed when it did king Hyundai said hissing was the condensation because it hadn't been driven for so long (3 years - just went out and started it once in a while). Kh told me after extensive checking & videoing the underside of car (they sent me video) that it was the battery. It died on the way home ! And then: - kh misdiagnosed my car three times ! - head gasket now - kh told me they took several test drives yet the mileage in & the millage out on their invoice was exactly the same ! …”
NHTSA complaint #11376182, filed 2020-11, 57,000 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
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 14% |
| 2024 | 8 | 14% |
| 2023 | 20 | 20% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 13 | 10% |
| 2020 | 109 | 43% |
| 2019 | 134 | 53% |
| 2018 | 142 | 50% |
| 2017 | 291 | 38% |
| 2016 | 111 | 38% |
| 2015 | 92 | 35% |
| 2014 | 166 | 43% |
| 2013 | 233 | 18% |
| 2012 | 139 | 21% |
| 2011 | 92 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 13 | 5% |
| 2008 | 24 | 8% |
| 2007 | 12 | 4% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra
55 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsFuel system
45 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 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 29, 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