Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars

2008 Hyundai AccentRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 101 owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve air bags (34) and visibility/wiper (17). The EPA rates it 28–29 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
28–29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2013
Owner complaints
101
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

Hyundai 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 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V113000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

101 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2008 – Apr 2023
  1. Air bags34
  2. Visibility/wiper17
  3. Exterior lighting10
  4. Service brakes10
  5. Electrical system8
  6. Visibility7
  7. Structure6
  8. Engine and engine cooling5
  9. Engine4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accent model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996102
199759
199848
199966
200643
200788
2008101
2009101
201087
201138
2012153
2013142
201480
201570
2016103
201768
201819
201931
202012
202116
202217
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

34 reports7 crashes
“08 ACCENT GS, AIRBAG LIGHT ON WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR UNUSUAL DRIVING. ITS A SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS ISSUE SINCE MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2021Air bagsODI 11387571

Visibility/wiper

17 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY CAME DOWN AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED LOWER BACK AND NECK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (JIM HUDSON HYUNDAI, 310 GREYSTONE BLVD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210) WERE CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TT *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2018Structure, Visibility/wiperCrash reportedODI 11062199

Exterior lighting

10 reports
“NOTICED MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON NOT SURE WHY I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ACCIDENT NOR RUN INTO ANYTHING. ONLY ONE OF MY BREAKLIGHTS (PASSENGER SIDE) OUT. RECENTLY HAD STOP LIGHT REPLACED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2015Exterior lighting, Air bags, Service brakesODI 10730110
All 2008 Accent problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accent
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273229$2,150306
Accent
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243328$2,200317
  • Accent
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 32 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Accent
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Accent as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2800Vehicle 2424
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Accent questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Accent have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Accent problems?

Owners filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (34), visibility/wiper (17), exterior lighting (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Hyundai Accent get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Accent at 28–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026