Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Leaving the parking lot at walgreen in tonawanda,ny. I was backing out with my foot on the brake. Putting the car in drive.the car leaped into a very high accelerated speed like a jet with the engine racing. The brake did not help. The car hit the barrier between the sidewalk and the store and the engine burst into flames.the distance was only a matter of yards.the airbags and seat belt kept me from going thru the windshield the force of the crash totaled the car. There was no one in this area of the parking lot thank goodness it was 10 am Sunday morning. I do not know who called the fire dept and police.. This is a very serious problem. This situation happen so fast you don,t have time to blink. I am now left with no car and a twisted back.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. While parking and attempting to engage the brakes, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning and crashed into a light pole. It was unknown if there were any injuries or if a police report was filed. The dealer stated that the vehicle was working up to specifications. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,460. Ma 08/05/15 the consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 08/11/15
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. While parking, the vehicle independently accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed and crashed into a fence and a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruises to the chest that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
After receiving letter from Hyundai about defects in cruise control and other technical items, I took my car into dealer in fresno, california and they turned me away refusing to service recall order to fix and replace recall requirements stating that they did not have time and that they would call when they did. They never called, my contact number has never changed in 15years or more.
My vehicle was turning a corner and the power steering assist shut down totally, I was unable to steer my vehicle. The EPS light lite up on the dashboard. It took two people, my boyfriend and myself to steer the vehicle to the curb, but only with a great deal of effort on both of our parts.
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.
I was driving my 2008 Elantra when I approached a sharp curve in the road. I applied my brakes and suddenly the cruise control seemed to activate and the car sped up and left the road . I had no control of the brakes or steering. It seemed as if the vehicle froze. I tried to brake and nothing happened, I tried to steer and the wheel was locked. I ran over several street signs. When the car finally stopped by crashing into a tree, the car was off and the key could not be removed. My airbag did go off however my sons side airbag did not. We both sustained minor physical injuries and major emotional injuries. The car was totaled. Approximately 5 weeks later I received a recall notice on my vehicle. My car was one of the vehicles with the faulty fuel pump that needed replacement. In the notice it stated that if the fuel pump was not replaced it could cause the vehicle to crash. …
Entering a crowded parking lot in the city of chicago, I slowed down to approx. 2 MPH (almost idle speed) as I approached the ticket dispenser when all of a sudden the car accelerated over 6000 rpms and took off. As reflex, I slammed the brakes (since the ABS doesn't work without power) but the acceleration kept increasing and the brakes were not inhibiting movement so I then forced the key out of the ignition and pulled the emergency break - all within a second or two. The car stopped within inches of hitting a few other cars and people inside those cars after the forward momentum had been overcompensated by the initial brake push and emergency braking. There was a strong burnt rubber and oil smell but it wasn't from the tires. The check engine light came on after two driving cycles and has remained on. This is a very serious situation that needs attention! …
While driving in heavy traffic, inching along at low speed for about 1/2 miles; stopping and starting all the way, suddenly during one of these stops, the motor started to rev and the car accelerated on its own. Had to brake hard to avoid hitting the car in front of me. About 10 minutes later, while parking the car in a parking space, the same thing happened. I had already stopped and was putting the car in park. I took the car to the local Hyundai garage where they did road testing. Computer tests showed no codes; so no repairs were made. When the tech line of the manufacturer was contacted on this matter was told that there were no cases relating to this problem on file. Have had this problem sporadically since 2010. Last reported an acceleration problem to the Hyundai garage early in the month of December 2012. No one at Hyundai wants to help me.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that when the vehicle was in the cruise control mode and she attempted to apply the brakes, the vehicle would suddenly accelerate up to 70 MPH. She had to turn the cruise control off in order to stop the acceleration. She noticed that the failure occurred twice. The contact also stated that she had difficulty shifting into reverse or park gear. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where it was awaiting diagnosis. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer. The current mileage is approximately 26,260. The failure mileage was approximately 26,210. Updated 10/25/10 updated 10/27/10
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Acceleration complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 8% of the model year's 314 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Elantra acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Elantra acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.