2008 Hyundai Elantra Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 8%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 8% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I took my vehicle to the dealer for scheduled maintenance and I was informed that my brake lights were not working (a fact that I was not aware of). The problem was a malfunctioning brake light switch which was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10439691, filed 2011-12, 31,789 miles“Car following me notified me that the brake lights were not working on my 2008 Hyundai Elantra. Stop lamp fuse I was checked and was good as well as both rear stop lamp bulbs. I inspected the brake lamp switch near the brake and found it to stuck in the off position. After pressing the switch several times the switch worked for a few times and then stuck in the on position. I called Hyundai customer care and was told that 2008 Elantra's were not covered by their recall for this problem and they would pay for repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10503967, filed 2013-03, 102,043 miles“Car following me notified me that my brake lights were not working on my 2008 Hyundai Elantra. I have change my brake bulbs 3 times last year and 1 time beging of this year. Stop and check all my bulbs and fuse they were in good condition. I called Hyundai customer care and was told that 2008 Elantra's were not covered by their recall for this problem, that I would have to bring the car in for a dignostic that will cost $110. They told me that even if their were a recall, the recall does not affect my car and is not in their database.”
NHTSA complaint #10505523, filed 2013-04, 77,951 miles“Came to stop light, the gentleman in the car next to me at the stoplight told me he almost hit me a little ways back when I stopped to let a vehicle turn. He stated my brake lights were not working. Checked and it was true the back window light and both brake lights did not work. Took it to the repair shop and they checked the fuses and bulbs. All were good. Notified that stop lamp switch is bad and needs to be replaced. Through research appears this has been a problem with Hyundai elantras, unfortunately, the 2008's have yet to be recalled. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456950, filed 2012-04, 65,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2007–2010, Tucson 2006–2011, Santa FE 2007–2011 +9 more
Related service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 28 | 11% |
| 2019 | 65 | 26% |
| 2018 | 16 | 6% |
| 2017 | 23 | 3% |
| 2016 | 9 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 72 | 5% |
| 2012 | 17 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 24 | 8% |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% |
| 2006 | 38 | 25% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 13 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra
55 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsFuel system
45 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsEngine
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