Service brakes
Free remedy
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
Research · Large Cars
2008 Hyundai AzeraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 69 owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Azera. Most complaints involve seats (24) and air bags (16). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jan 2018
Owner complaints
69
Top: seats
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Seats: power adjust
Free remedy
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Azera vehicles manufactured March 7, 2007 through August 14, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the power-adjustable front driver seat may unexpectedly move without the driver's input while the vehicle is being driven.
Suspension: rear
Free remedy
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
69 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2009 – Mar 2024
- Seats24
- Air bags16
- Electrical system14
- Service brakes14
- Engine6
- Seat belts5
- Vehicle speed control4
- Structure3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Seats
24 reports2 crashes
“STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN MY WIFE RODE WITH ME AND THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. EVENTUALLY, IT STARTED TO REMAIN ON THE WHOLE TIME WITH HER IN THE SEAT. NOW THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNFASTENED LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY WITH NO ONE IN THE SEAT. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND IT IS READING A FAULT CODE B1489 INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS). SINCE THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER HYUNDAI MODEL'S DATING BACK TO THE MID-2000'S THAT HAVE HAD RECALL'S ON THE PODS, I AM WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE MAY USE THE SAME SEAT SENSOR'S THAT THE OTHER MODEL'S USE. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A STRAIGHT ANSWER TO IF WHEN THE PODS IS DEFECTIVE, WILL THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY, OR WILL THEY DEPLOY NO MATTER WHAT SHOULD THE EVENT BE TRIGGERED.”
Air bags
16 reports3 crashes
“THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO SEAT BELTS.AIR BAGS STAYS ON. #2 BRAKE PEDAL IS ON THE SPONGY SIDE. HYUNDAI DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.THE MECHANIC TOLD ME FLUID WAS LEAKING EVERYWHERE.I TOLD HIM THERE ARE NO LEAKS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSE I CHECKED THE MASTER SYSTEM MYSELF IALSO HAD THE BRAKES BIEED=OK”
Electrical system
14 reports3 fires
“The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the battery charging warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket was leaking onto the alternator, causing the alternator to fail. The mechanic replaced the valve cover gasket, the battery, and the alternator; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was repaired for a second time; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred every 3 years. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 21-01-047H-1. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Large Cars
- Engines
- 3.3L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 5-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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azera Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Azera Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
- 21mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Azera as of Nov 10, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2008 Azera questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Azera have?
7 safety recalls 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 Azera problems?
Owners filed 69 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seats (24), air bags (16), electrical system (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2008 Hyundai Azera get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Azera at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026