Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving when a person waved the driver down that there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was driven some more until the contact noticed that there was heat come up the leg on the driver's side. The contact stated that once exit from the vehicle, noticed that there were flames coming from the hood. The fire department extinguished the fired and informed that it was due to electrical. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while idling at a stop sign, the RPMs dropped extremely low, and the vehicle stalled. After a visual inspection, the contact observed white smoke coming from the engine compartment and a coolant leak underneath the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure became a regular issue over the next 6 months. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Later, the vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic, who also failed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 127,000.
When removing the key from the ignition, the cars engine was still running, as I was unable to turn the vehicle off. After a few tries the car was off and the engine stopped. I drove 1/2 mile, smelled something burning, looked down and saw smoke coming up from my lap area, and immediately turned the car off and jumped out of the vehicle..The engine continued to run while the key was removed... Car was eventually towed by Insurance Company tow company to the Factory Authorized service center
2008 Elantra should be added to the crankshaft Theta II recall. 2098 Elantra has the 2.0L engine unlike its prior years where they are made with a 1.6L engine. Last week my 2008 Elantra exhibited all the signs of this malfunction (A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. Illumination of the "check engine" light in the instrument cluster. Illumination of the "engine oil pressure" warning lamp.) When this occured i had taken it to Auto Zone and had the computer scanned for error codes. (See attached report). Based on the report a tune up was done, ignition coil replaced and sensor replaced. Car would still not start. …
The car was being driven nomore than 1hr. It began to smoke under the hood. The ABS EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE Then the EPS lights were on. The vehicle was pulled over and stopped. Fire was then observed falling from under the car. The hood was then popped to see the engine mainly on the driver side was totally catching fire. Then it spread. The engine needle never showed over heated. The car took no more than 6 minutes to catch fire from the time it started smoking. It was very scary
When I am driving the vehicle all of a sudden it will jump back really fast And the check engine will go on and If I continue to drive the vehicle it seems like I'm putting pressure on the gas for it to go But then once I turn off the vehicle the check engine light will all of a sudden be gone. If I drive the vehicle again the problem won't happen right away it will be some time before it happens again all of a sudden.
On 8/16/16 at approximately 1130 hours the aforementioned 2008 Hyundai Elantra bearing a VIN number of [redacted], had spontaneously caught on fire without cause. Local fire department came to the scene and extinguish the flames suspected it to be a manufacturers defect of possible faulty electrical wiring. I have contacted Hyundai directly and brought to their attention the incident in which occurred on the said date. Hyundai is still in the process of having a third party vehicle inspection company en route to conduct the preliminary investigation. There has only been a recall to my knowledge in 2011 in which I personally took the said vehicle to Hyundai of welsey chapel florida and never had a problem since. It should be noted the vehicle was parked for approximately 3 hours before it caught on fire. …
Drove car to grocery store 6 mile round trip parked car in garage at 10:15 am. I performed yard work in front of and was in and out of garage for 4 hours. At no time was there a hint of smoke or burning. Then cut grass for 2 hours. At about 4 pm smoke was billowing out of the garage. I observed flames and smoke coming from around the front hood. Unable to lift hood to reach fire source with extinguishers or get car into neutral to push out of garage. I was driven by smoke and flame out of garage. Both the 2008 Hyundai and another vehicle in the two car garage burned completely. All contents in garage destroyed extensive smoke damage throughout house. Fire forensic investigator thinks it was caused by the battery but there was too much damage to make much of an informed comment as to precise reason car caught fire. Reason for fire is unknown. …
While driving home on the highway after a rainy day, the ABS light and parking brake lights came on. I checked the parking brake; it was not engaged. The car seemed to be braking on its own as I continued to drive. Upon arriving home, there was some smoke coming from the left front wheel which, after it dissipated, I assumed to be hot, locked up brakes. About an hour later my housemate called to me from the living room telling me my car was on fire and to call 9-1-1. The car was parked in front of my house, under a magnolia tree. The flames engulfed the entire front end of the car, and were about 4-5ft high. The fire department came and hosed the car down, taking about an hour to put out the blaze. The front tires were flat, had melted, and the entire front end was decimated. …
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.
Engine complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 13% of the model year's 314 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Elantra engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 11 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.