Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Hyundai VeracruzRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 231 owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. Most complaints involve electrical system (66) and engine (51). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Nov 2020
Owner complaints
231
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: oil

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 13, 2020NHTSA 20V705000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Remedy pending

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jul 8, 2014NHTSA 14V415000

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 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

231 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2008 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system66
  2. Engine51
  3. Engine and engine cooling46
  4. Service brakes45
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)36
  6. Air bags19
  7. Power train17
  8. Steering15
  9. Exterior lighting13

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 Veracruz model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007145
2008231
200924
201091
2011106
201265
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

66 reports2 crashes1 fire
“This is referring to NHTSA recall 20V705000 a/k/a Hyundai TSB: 21-01047H-2 whereas my 2008 Hyundai Veracruz was brought into a Hyundai dealership regarding the above mentioned safety recall. Dealer refused to remedy the recall without first purchasing an otherwise irrelevant part to the remedy. The TSB clearly states all parts and labor necessary to honoring the safety recall would be granted to the consumer. This refusal to honor a recall poses a safety hazard as this vehicle is my sole form of transportation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11678878

Engine

51 reports1 crash1 fire
“Bought my Veracruz in 2018. After not even a year I started experiencing problems with the charging system. Car would die overnight. Replaced a battery with the new one 3 weeks later same thing happened. Changed many sensors checked the fuses looked for parasitic draw... battery cables. Removed the alternator had it checked at advance auto it was surprisingly good. It was covered with oil leaking out of valve cover.. replaced the valve cover seal but the problem still remains. That leakage messed up my charging system. I cannot even drive the car safely anymore because the voltage keeps dropping rapidly. Even tho alternator is good it's not charging the battery while car is running. P0346 is the code I'm getting when I scan the vehicle. Check engine and TPMS are on. I won't even be able to pass emissions test next month due to this mess.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 22, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11649873

Engine and engine cooling

46 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The vehicle The contact stated that while driving, The approximate failure mileage was 202,427. The oil light illuminated, looked and there was no oil. The vehicle knocked. the vehicle stalled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11737821
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Veracruz 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162318$3,450494
Veracruz 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152218$3,450494
  • Veracruz 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Veracruz 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 2429
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 Veracruz questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 Veracruz problems?

Owners filed 231 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (66), engine (51), engine and engine cooling (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026