NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 425 owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata. Most complaints involve air bags (137) and visibility (67). The EPA rates it 22–25 mpg combined.
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.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
137 reports10 crashes
“Car has a B1448 (ACTIVE) Passenger Occupant Detecting System (PODS) Circuit Fault Related to the passenger detecting pad in the front passenger seat problems started at 120,000 miles”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Mar 21, 2026·Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11725992
Visibility
67 reports
“THE PASSENGER SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, AT ALL. THE DRIVER SIDE WILL SUDDENLY FALL AND IT'S VERY UNPLEASANT TO SUDDENLY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THEY ARE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE ($200.00) AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS QUITE COMMON WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE APPROX. 6 MONTHS AND IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES. IT REALLY IS STARTLING. I'M REALLY GLAD I WASN'T ON A FREEWAY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Dec 5, 2016·Visibility, Unknown or otherODI 10930097
Engine
48 reports5 fires
“Bought in 2023 @ 98k miles. Have had trouble with 1.it would only start in drive, then that seems to have self corrected. 2. In drive, car would not accelerate properly, and would slow as though I was braking, but no foot on brake. Had rear brake sensor replaced, seemed better for a while. 3. Developed oil leak at 120 miles which valvoline characterized as "not serious...just keep checking it and topping it off." So, have been doing that. Today after oil change, it began running rough, lots of vibration, then the shifting problem, sluggishness, and new..smoke from under hood on driver's side. No check engine lights at all. Nothing registered as hot or overheating. Turned off car, checked oil and trans fluid, both in proper range for warm engine. Let car sit and cool for an hour. Decided I had parked too close to the propane tanks for a smoking car, so I decided to start car just to back it into a space across the lot. Car had no issues- No smoke, no jerking or vibration, no sluggishness, no phantom braking. This car has done this same thing about once every 6 months since I've had it. Changed a tire sensor, that seemed to fix it once. Stopped using cruise…”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Apr 25, 2025·Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11656826
How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata have?
5 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 Sonata problems?
Owners filed 425 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (137), visibility (67), engine (48). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Sonata at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).