2008 Hyundai Elantra Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 17%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,405miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 17% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,405 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“My vehicle was turning a corner and the power steering assist shut down totally, I was unable to steer my vehicle. The eps light lite up on the dashboard. It took two people, my boyfriend and myself to steer the vehicle to the curb, but only with a great deal of effort on both of our parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10694772, filed 2015-03, 53,000 miles“This past saturday, may 10, 2014 I was driving my four year old daughter home from soccer class and all of a sudden my steering went out. After avoiding an accident with woman behind me, I realize that the steering wasn't out but had become very difficult. The eps light on the dash was on and I learned that the power steering had gone. We took the car to our local mechanic to see if it was a simple thing like a fluid change. …”
NHTSA complaint #10595993, filed 2014-06, 65,000 miles“I was making a right turn onto the street I live on, thankfully I was going pretty slow, as I was turning when all of a sudden my steering wheel locked up and I was unable to steer my vehicle. Thankfully I was the only one on the road otherwise id have hit an oncoming car as I wasn't able to maneuver my car, regardless of how hard I tried to turn the steering wheel. The eps was lite up on my dashboard when I was able to stop and look at the dashboard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10693311, filed 2015-03, 53,000 miles“My daughter was driving on a highway (55 MPH limit) and slowed down to approx. 10 MPH due to a traffic jam when all of a sudden the eps light came on and she lost her steering. At that speed, it was almost impossible for her to steer. She managed to pull the car over to the shoulder and called me for help. I researched her situation and learned that there is a recall for all 2008 elantras and later to fix the eps. The date of manufacture had to be after 1 june 2008. Unfortunately, her car was built in aug 2007. …”
NHTSA complaint #11005514, filed 2017-07, 151,000 miles“While driving on I-95 north in maryland, a motorist cut me off suddenly, when I applied the brakes to slow down, the brakes locked and car swerved to the right, crossed all lanes, and rolled over twice. The air bags did not deploy on driver or passenger side. As a result, I received a fractured sternum.”
NHTSA complaint #10226723, filed 2008-05, 170 milesRelated recalls
- 15V100000Feb 23, 2015Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2008–2010, Elantra Touring 2009–2010
Related service bulletins
- 10110926Feb 27, 2017Hyundai has announced an extended warranty for the motor driven power steering (MDPS) coupling on the following vehicles: ? 2011-2014 Sonata (YFa), 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid (YF…
- 10110922Feb 27, 2017The MDPS (motor driven power steering) assembly contains a flexible rubber coupling which may wear over time resulting in a slight "clicking" or "thud" type noise when turning…
- 10058401Jun 1, 2015Hyundai: electronic power steering (eps) warning indicator lamp will illuminate when sensing discrepancy in systems circuitry and steering assist not available and reverts back…
- 10041259May 1, 2011Hyundai: slight rattle noise from the steering while at low speeds driving over rough roads or turning left.
- 10033186Aug 1, 2009Hyundai: absolute steering position (asp) calibration for electric power steering (eps).
- 10026548Sep 1, 2008Hyundai: motor driven power steering (mdps) system worm shaft flexible coupling replacement procedure.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 7 | 13% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 20 | 8% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 16 | 6% |
| 2017 | 71 | 9% |
| 2016 | 19 | 6% |
| 2015 | 26 | 10% |
| 2014 | 28 | 7% |
| 2013 | 271 | 21% |
| 2012 | 88 | 13% |
| 2011 | 75 | 17% |
| 2010 | 195 | 51% |
| 2009 | 133 | 52% |
| 2008 | 55 | 17% |
| 2007 | 34 | 13% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 16 | 7% |
| 2002 | 16 | 5% |
| 2001 | 24 | 8% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 6 | 5% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra
52 complaintsFuel system
45 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsElectrical system
31 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