NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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. *TR
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. THE FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR, AND WERE ABOUT 4-5FT HIGH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HOSED THE CAR DOWN, TAKING ABOUT AN HOUR TO PUT OUT THE BLAZE. THE FRONT TIRES WERE FLAT, HAD MELTED, AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DECIMATED. THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD HAD SHATTERED FROM THE FIRE, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOORBOARD HAD BURNED THROUGH TO THE CABIN. THE ENTIRE CABIN IS DAMAGED FROM THE SMOKE, THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR MELTED THROUGH. WHILE THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FRONT END, THE DRIVERS SIDE IS WORSE, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT APPEARS TO HAVE THE MOST DAMAGE. THERE IS NO VISIBLE FUSE BOX OR BATTERY AFTER THE FIRE.
HI, THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR THAT HAS BEEN OUT FOR A MONTH NOW AND NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THIS CONSIDERING I USE MY CAR ALMOST EVERY SINGLE DAY. THIS IS THE RECALL NUMBER: 20V061000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE STEERING WILL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
14 HOURS AFTER PARKING THE CAR, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED SMOKE SOURCE. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO SAID THE ABS SYSTEM SHORTED CAUSING A FIRE AND DESTROYING WIRING HARNESS. LUCKILY IT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL AWAY WHEN PLACED IN PARK (WHILE STATIONARY) IF ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON ANY SLIGHT INCLINE OR DECLINE. A RATCHETING SOUND IS HEARD COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THIS OCCURS AS THE VEHICLE IS ROLLING OUT OF CONTROL. SOMETIMES IT STARTS TO ROLL AFTER YOU HAVE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME CONCERN SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A GOOD USED TRANSMISSION. NOW THE USED TRANSMISSION IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH NOT STAYING IN PARK. A PEDESTRIAN WAS NEARLY STRUCK LAST WEEK BY THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK IN IT AND STOP IT WITH THE SERVICE BRAKE. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
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.
EPS LIGHT CAME ON AND DISABLED POWER STEERING. RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE ISSUE STOPPED. TOOK TO HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 127 OR WARRANTY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE EPS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE INDICATOR TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER DESTINATION. TEAM HYUNDAI (301-B AUTO MALL PKWY, VALLEJO, CA 94591, (707) 709-8537) SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
DOOR HANDLES KEEP FALLING OFF, EVEN AFTER BEING REPAIRED AT SHOP. DRIVER DOOR HANDLE IS ONE OF THOSE THAT FELL OFF AND CAN'T GET INSIDE CAR NOW.
MY DAUGHTER'S 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS PARKED ON THE STREET OUTSIDE HER APARTMENT COMPLEX. THE FRONT OF THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 30-35 HOURS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED ABNORMALLY WITH THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER DESTINATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON OCCASION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SET OF TIRES AND TWO RIMS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE PASSENGER SIDE FOG LIGHT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER: 15930173. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,497.
ON JUNE 21, 2019 I WAS ON MY WAY TO TAKE MY SON TO WORK AND I HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROX. 7:30A.M. AND DROVE ABOUT 100 FEET WHEN MY CAR STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD, I QUICKLY BACKED UP INTO OUR YARD. I GOT EVERYONE OUT OF THE CAR, MY SON LIFTED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND THE BATTERY. WE QUICKLY CALLED 911. MY CAR IS TOTALED. I ONLY HAD PIP INSURANCE AND I AM CURRENTLY WITHOUT A VEHICLE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN 2009 OR 2010. PICTURES ARE ATTATCHED. I NOTICED THE DAY BEFORE THAT MY PASSANGER WINDOWS DID NOT WORK, AND THE MORNING OF THE FIRE WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON MY BREAK LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH, BUT MY EMERGENCY BREAKS WERE NOT LIFTED. . I DROVE THE CAR THE DAY BEFORE AND DID'NT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL THE MORNING OF THE FIRE.
THE CAR WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR GOING AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN INJURIES. MY CAR WAS TURNING LEFT AT ABOUT 15 MPH AND THE OTHER DRIVER BLEW THROUGH A RED LIGHT AT 60 MPH. PHOTOS AVAILABLE FROM ESURANCE.
WHILE DRIVING I WENT TO STOP ON A LONG DOWNHILL GRADE AND SUDDENLY A HORRIBLE METAL ON METAL GRINDING SOUND OCCURRED. THE CAR SWERVED A BIT AND WAS HARD TO CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND LIMPED IT HOME WITH THE CONTINUING EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO TURN, SLOW DOWN OR UNDER BRAKING. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE MY BROTHER DRIVE CAR TO LOCAL MECHANIC VERY CAREFULLY AND SLOWLY AND IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BROKEN LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM. LOCAL MECHANIC THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE AN ITEM COVERED UNDER RECALL BY HYUNDAI AS HE HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE ISSUES. ON INVESTIGATING FURTHER ON THIS SITE I COULD FIND NO RECALL BUT DID FIND A HYUNDAI TSB (17-01-038) THAT SPEAKS TO PROVIDING UNDER BODY CORROSION TREATMENTS FOR 2007-2010 ELANTRA'S, FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN A SALT BELT STATE LIKE MINE.(NEW YORK). OBVIOUSLY HYUNDAI REALIZES THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH UNDER BODY COMPONENTS EXPOSED TO SALT CORROSION AND IS ATTEMPTING TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE FACT. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF SUCH A PROGRAM AND THIS DEFECT IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS AS IT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR WAS BLINKING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WITH MAXSON HYUNDAI (2329 US-22, UNION, NJ 07083, (908) 368-4955). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,200.
MY CAR STARTED TO DISPLAY AN EPS LIGHT ON MY DASH BOARD SO I TOOK IT FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE EPS ON MY VEHICLE. I THEN TOOK IT TO O'BRIEN HYUNDAI OF FORT MYERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS IN 2015 AND THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE.
THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE ONE DAY AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND IS MY PERSONAL CAR I USE EVERY DAY
AFTER SITTING FOR 43 HOURS IN OUR DRIVEWAY THE 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA CAUGHT FIRE STARTING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CONTINUED ACROSS AND THROUGH THE VEHICLE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THE VEHICLE HAD A SMOKING ISSUE IN THE COMPARTMENT A MONTH PREVIOUS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HYUNDAI SHOP AND A REPAIR ESTIMATE PROVIDED THAT INCLUDED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME WHEN THE SMOKE INCIDENT HAPPENED THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I OBSERVED WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND POINTED AT THE ABS BLOCK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. VEHICLE WENT BACK INTO USE AND I ORDERED PARTS. INSTALLED MASTER CYLINDER BUT ABS PARTS DID NOT ARRIVE BEFORE VEHICLE IMMOLATED ITSELF. IN THE 43 HOUR NON USE GAP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE REMOTE ENTRY FOB USED NOR ANY KEY ENTRY. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE CAUSE AS BEING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
THE EPA LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I TURNED LEFT.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY. I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT IN TO BE CHECKED, BUT IT WENT OFF AND STAYED OFF FOR WEEKS. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S BACK ON, EVERY OTHER TIME I START THE CAR.
THE CAR [ HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2008 -MANUAL TRANS] HAS JUST REACHED 23,630 MI. TODAY 11/15/2018, { I PURCHASED OF THE CAR NEW 11/2007. I SAW THAT KUHMO SOLAS KH16 TIRES WERE ON THE CAR.} A TIRE LOST AIR SHORTLY AFTER AN AIR FILL ON 11/15/2018 AND WAS TOTALLY FLAT BY 10P THAT EVENING HAVING SAT PARKED ONLY 7HRS AFTER AN AIR FILL. I MEASURED THE TREAD DEPTH LEVEL AND ABOUT 1/16 INCH LEFT. THESE IDENTICAL FOUR TIRES WORE OUT PRE-MATURELY AND THE SIDEWALLS LOOK DRY.ROT. AS PRECAUTION I NOW MUST FIND ANOTHER COMPLETE SET OF TIRES THAT WILL HAVE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY RELIABLE OF WARRANTY MILEAGE LIMITS. CANNOT RISK A 260MI DRIVE. JUST REFILLED WITH AIR TO GET ME TO A TIRE RETAILER FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES OF ANOTHER BRAND.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE GLASS FROM THE SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FLEW OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE A REPLACEMENT SUN ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,800.
ON AUGUST 3RD 2018 I PURCHASE A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA FROM CAMPBELL AUTO FINANCE USED CARS AND TRUCKS IN GILROY CALIFORNIA WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65 I HEARD A BIG THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LIKE IT SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE AND CAME BACK INTO DRIVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR IT WILL MAKE THAT NOISE POP OUT OF GEAR AND GO BACK INTO DRIVE ON AUGUST 7TH 2018 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR BACK TO GILROY THE CAR MADE A HARD BUMPING NOISE AND THEN THE CAR WAS STUCK INTO 3RD GEAR AND IT'S STILL STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND IT WILL NOT COME OUT
THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AT 1:15 AM AUGUST 4TH 2018. IT HAD NOT BEEN TURNED ON SINCE 5PM AUGUST 2ND. I WAS NOT HAVING ANY ISSUES AT ALL.
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A LOCAL ROAD, THE STEERING SUDDENLY SEIZED AND THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS) WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (WILLIAMSBURG HYUNDAI 7277 RICHMOND RD, WILLIAMSBURG, VA 23188) WHO RE-CALIBRATED THE EPS BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN 127 DUE TO MANUFACTURING DATE OF JULY 2007, WHICH IS BEFORE THE RECALL COVERAGE DATE OF JUNE 2008. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. CURRENT MILEAGE IS AROUND 66,000 MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT HER HOME AND CAUGHT ON FIRE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECENTLY RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND BELIEVES THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. *BF*JB
I ENTERED VIN (XXXX) ON THE CHECK FOR RECALLS PAGE AND IT TELLS ME THAT ONE OR MORE PARMAMETERS ARE INVALID. CARFAX FOUND THIS VIN AND REPORTED ONE OPEN RECALL ON THIS CAR. WHY IS IT DOING THIS? THE VIN IS VALID. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD & AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED ON, BILLS AUTO REPAIR DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AND SAID THE AIRBAG COMPUTER NEEDS REPLACED FOR $1,459, DEALER NOT YET NOTIFIED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,000.
TAKATA RECALL. MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT AND I DID NOT RECIEVE ANY FORM OF INFORMATION AT THE TIME THE RECALL WAS SENT OUT.
WHEN MY VEHICLE IS ON PARK GEAR IT KEEPS MOVING FORWARD DOWN A HILL OR ANY SLOPE, I'M FORCED TO APPLY PARKING BRAKE TO STOP IT FROM MOVING. WHEN THIS OCCURS, CRANKING THE ENGINE TO START DOES NOT HELP; THE VEHICLE STARTER BECOMES DISABLED. IM THEN FORCED TO PUT IT ON NEUTRAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. NOW, PLACING THE GEAR ON DRIVE TO MOVE THE CAR: OFTEN AND OFTEN, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE AND ACTS AS IT IS ON NEUTRAL; AND BY TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, THE KEY CAN'T BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. MOREOVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE HAPPENS TO MOVE AND IS BEING DRIVEN, ON A HIGHWAY ACCELERATING ON NORMAL TRAFFIC SPEED, IT TENDS TO SLOW THE SPEED AS TO LOOSING CONTACT WITH THE DRIVE GEAR. ALL THESE CAUSE ME NOT TO USE THE CAR FREQUENTLY. IF I MUST DRIVE IT, I HESITATE DOING SO AND LIMIT IT FROM USING ANY HIGHWAY TO AVOID POTENTIAL OF BEING CRASHED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE; SINCE MY VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS MAINTAIN THE NORMAL ONGOING TRAFFIC SPEED. I'M URGING YOUR AGENCY TO PLEASE ADDRESS MY SITUATION. BECAUSE I STRONGLY BELIEVE OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEM OF THIS KIND. I HESITATE CONTACTING HYUNDAI FOR NOW, FEARING THEY MAY CONNECT MY SITUATION WITH A NEED FOR REPAIR AND SEIZE THE OCCASION TO BILL ME FOR THEIR OWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS. I THANK YOU WELL AHEAD OF TIME FOR YOUR INPUT ON THIS PROBLEM. RESPECTFULLY YOURS, VEHICLE OWNER
THE STEERING ISN'T WORKING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED AND THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (MCGOVERN HYUNDAI, 300 MANLEY STREET, BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02301) WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE SAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, WHILE PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY THE ENTIRE DAY. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CAUSE OF FIRE IS UNKNOWN BUT IT APPEARED TO HAVE START AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD.
TAKATA RECALL. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND OVER CORRECTED AND HIT A TREE WHICH PUSHED HER INTO ANOTHER TREE. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS WRECKED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE CAR SO WE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE.
TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO THIRD GEAR WHILE DRIVING (COULD BE ON SIDE STREET, COULD BE ON THE HIGHWAY) AND CAN ONLY OPERATE IN THIRD AFTER THAT UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY SAID IT IS THE COMPUTER NOT THE MECHANICS OF THE TRANSMISSION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES COME ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES FIRST BEING IN NOVEMBER THE MOST RECENT WAS YESTERDAY ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION APPROPRIATELY.
I STARTED MY CAR AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DROVE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY TOWARD THE ROAD AS USUAL. NO TRAFFIC WAS COMING FROM EITHER DIRECTION, SO I ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE ROAD. AS I WAS PULLING ONTO THE ROAD, I COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF IT. CONSEQUENTLY, I ALMOST WENT OVER A 10 TO 12 FOOT HIGH WALL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PREVENT GOING OVER THE WALL BY BRAKING, BUT I WAS PARALYZED BY SHOCK AND FRIGHT. A NEIGHBOR, WHO IS A RETIRED AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC CAME AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND GOT IT BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT DIFFICULTY, BUT THE REDLIGHT (EPS) WAS SHOWING ON THE DASH. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, BUT THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT IT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY. WHEN THEY DID, THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE "UPDATED THE ECU' AND CHARGED ME $89.95 FOR DOING SO. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A BAD BATTERY; HOWEVER THE BATTERY HAS NEVER FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE AND RUN ALL DEVICES. I DRIVE ALONE, AND NEED TO DRIVE AT NIGHT VERY OFTEN; HOWEVER I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I SEE ONLINE THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS TO LOSING STEERING ABILITY REPEATEDLY AFTER THE "UPDATE" TO THE EPS (OR ECU). I CALLED HYUNDAI, AND THE AGENT TOLD ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, WHICH SHE SAID IS NOW COMPLETED. ON MANY OF THE ONLINE ACCOUNTS OF ACCIDENTS AND ROLLOVERS DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY, THOSE VEHICLES VINS WERE ALSO NOT ON THE LIST OF VEHICLES DEEMED TO BE AFFECTED; HOWEVER THEY WERE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAD 47,792 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, HAD NO STEERING RECALL, AND WAS MANUFACTURED JUNE 9, 2008. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. CLEARLY, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN ON THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE RECALLED UNDER #127 RECALL
RECALL FOR UNDERCOATING DONE JAN. 2016 (TT1). ON 11/1/17, WHILE DRIVING ON A TOWN ROAD, THE REAR RIGHT TRAILING ARM FELL OFF CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE ABRUPTLY OFF THE ROAD DUE TO EXTREME RUST ON THE SUB FRAME. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WITH MY 2002 SANTA FE AND WAS COVERED UNDER THE SALT BELT CORROSION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. HYUNDAI IS AWARE THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM, BUT THE UNDERCOATING RECALL DOES NOT WORK AND THIS IS STILL A SAFETY HAZARD. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY ON NOV. 1, AND I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM HYUNDAI AS TO MY NEXT STEPS TO GET THIS REPAIRED.
THIS LAST OCTOBER (2017), I WAS WOKEN UP BY NEIGHBORS INFORMING US THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM OUR GARAGE. THERE WAS A FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE ENGINE BAY OF MY 2008 (REGULARLY MAINTENANCED) HYUNDAI ELANTRA, AND TOTALED MY CAR, MY WIFE'S CAR, AND EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED MY GARAGE ($15,000 WORTH). THE VEHICLE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF IT ACTING STRANGELY AT ALL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHALKED IT UP TO A "UNEXPLAINED ELECTRICAL FIRE" AS IT SEEMED LIKE IT STARTED FROM AROUND WHERE THE BATTERY WAS.
2008 ELENTRA BEGAN EXPERIENCING FAILURES TO START. REMOVING THE FUEL PUMP ACCESS COVER AND POUNDING ON THE FUEL PUMP WOULD USUALLY RESULT IN SUCCESSFUL STARTING. THIS FUEL PUMP WAS A REPLACEMENT IN 2008 UNDER RECALL 08V694000 BECAUSE OF INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO RUN. WE THOUGHT IT AGAIN MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR. HOWEVER, WHEN WE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WE FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD MOTOR CONNECTOR PLUG THAT HAD OBVIOUSLY OVERHEATED. IF THIS CONNECTOR BECAME TOO HOT OR STARTED SPARKING INSIDE THE TANK, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE MAY BE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL IGNITION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
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. THAT BEING SAID, PERHAPS THE CURRENT EPS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 2008 MODELS MANUFACTURED BEFORE JUNE 2008? I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AS IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS (AND PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE) FOR HER TO DRIVE ANY FURTHER. WHILE WAITING FOR THE TOW, I RESEARCHED THE EPS SITUATION ONLINE AND LEARNED FROM A BLOG THAT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT SOMETIMES RESETS THE EPS. SHE DID SO AND IT "FIXED" HER STEERING. I'M CERTAIN THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX ONLY AND WILL NOT PREVENT A FUTURE REOCCURRENCE OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
MY TIRE BURST ON THE ROAD, AND I GOT INTO THE TRUNK TO GET A SPARE TIRE ONLY FOR ME TO FIND OUT, THE TIRE COULDN'T FIT MY CAR AT ALL. THE HOLES IN THE RIM AREN'T OF THE SAME SIZE AS MY CAR. SO THEY SOLD ME THE WRONG SPARE TIRE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT VEHICLE START UP, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REGIONAL HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 2380 WEST KENOSHA STREET, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012, (918)806-2000, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL AND THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE WOULD BE WAIVED HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
DROVE CAR TO GROCERY STORE 6 MILE ROUND TRIP PARKED CAR IN GARAGE AT 10:15 AM. I PERFORMED YARD WORK IN FRONT OF AND WAS IN AND OUT OF GARAGE FOR 4 HOURS. AT NO TIME WAS THERE A HINT OF SMOKE OR BURNING. THEN CUT GRASS FOR 2 HOURS. AT ABOUT 4 PM SMOKE WAS BILLOWING OUT OF THE GARAGE. I OBSERVED FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE FRONT HOOD. UNABLE TO LIFT HOOD TO REACH FIRE SOURCE WITH EXTINGUISHERS OR GET CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO PUSH OUT OF GARAGE. I WAS DRIVEN BY SMOKE AND FLAME OUT OF GARAGE. BOTH THE 2008 HYUNDAI AND ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE TWO CAR GARAGE BURNED COMPLETELY. ALL CONTENTS IN GARAGE DESTROYED EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT HOUSE. FIRE FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR THINKS IT WAS CAUSED BY THE BATTERY BUT THERE WAS TOO MUCH DAMAGE TO MAKE MUCH OF AN INFORMED COMMENT AS TO PRECISE REASON CAR CAUGHT FIRE. REASON FOR FIRE IS UNKNOWN. ADVANCED AUTO BATTERY PURCHASED OCTOBER 17, 2014. PART # 121R1. #420 D2LNM1C1Q21B5J. REPAIR OF REAR MAIN SEAL IN JULY 2016 BY COCHRAN OF MONROEVILLE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. FOG LIGHTS MINI LAMPS A TOTAL OF TWENTY, 20, LIGHTS (FOG, BREAK, HEADLIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE) FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT, REAR RIGHT AND LEFT WERE REPLACED. REAR LEFT LAMP AND BULB HOUSING REPLACED JUNE 28, 2016 AT A COST OF $236 BY DEALER.
THIS MONTH, WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD PERIODICALLY ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE NEVER PREVIOUSLY HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MY CAR CHECKED OUT BY THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO CANNOT EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM.
HORN WILL SUDDENLY NOT WORK FOR EXTENDED PERIOD AND THEN LATER WILL WORK. WITHOUT WARNING THERE WILL BE NO HORN HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT RECENTLY HAS BEEN MORE FREQUENT ( THREE MORNINGS LAST WEEK!)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN DOWN A HILL, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY AND BECAME HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND, UPON RESTARTING, THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V100000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026