Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to merge into traffic, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver of the second vehicle stated that the exterior lights of the contacts vehicle failed to illuminate. The details of the crash were unknown and resulted in three injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the passenger side fog light caught on fire. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number: 15930173. The approximate failure mileage was 116,497.
In March of this yr, a friend informed me that my driver side brake light was out. I had the bulb replaced & then got a notice about the recall. The work was performed in June (replacement of a stop switch I believe is what it was called)..........last week I went back to the dealer for a couple of problems that I felt were recall related. Both my driver side brake light was out again, my third brake light was out & I informed them that one day I was having a problem moving the gear shift out of park. All of these I felt were recall related but was told that they are not.........that the Elantra has a history of burning brake lights out. And I was told that if the problem w/the gear shift happens again, to bring my car in. …
I have owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra pzev for approximately 2 years and 2 months. In the two years that I have owned this car, I have had the brake light sensor go out twice. The result of not having a working brake light sensor is that I no longer have any working brake lights! I have only avoided a rear end collision because I have been advised by fellow motorists. I have already had one brake light sensor replaced under warranty: Hyundai needs to manufacture a brake light sensor that doesn't fail in less than a year. If Hyundai doesn't fix this problem, it is only a matter of time before I or a member of my family is seriously injured or killed because this defective part!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at an automotive shop, the mechanic stated that all three brakes lights malfunctioned. The mechanic also stated to the contact that the fuses were functioning properly. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where there was no assistance offered to the contact. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 61,000 and the current mileage is 62,000 updated 06/18/12 the consumer believed her vehicle should have been included in recall# 09v12000 due to experiencing the same problem with her vehicle. Updated 06/21/12
Came to stop light, the gentleman in the car next to me at the stoplight told me he almost hit me a little ways back when I stopped to let a vehicle turn. He stated my brake lights were not working. Checked and it was true the back window light and both brake lights did not work. Took it to the repair shop and they checked the fuses and bulbs. All were good. Notified that stop lamp switch is bad and needs to be replaced. Through research appears this has been a problem with Hyundai elantras, unfortunately, the 2008's have yet to be recalled. Called Hyundai to double check recalls and they confirmed no recall at this time on the stop lamp switch.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. When the contact attempted to park the vehicle, the gear selector failed to shift from drive into the park position. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they detected a shortage within the brake lamp switch which caused the gear selector to become stuck. The brake stop lamp switch assembly was replaced; although eight months later, the identical failure recurred and the dealer replaced the brake stop lamp switch assembly for the second time. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The failure mileage was approximately 13,137. Updated 07/20/11 updated 08/01/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance when the technician stated that the brake lights were not illuminating when the brake pedal was depressed. The technician diagnosed the brake light switch as defective and advised having it replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 09V122000 (service brakes, hydraulic:switches:brake light) but the manufacturer advised that the repairs would not be covered because the 2008 model was not included in the recall, only the 2007 model. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Car following me notified me that my brake lights were not working on my 2008 Hyundai Elantra. I have change my brake bulbs 3 times last year and 1 time beging of this year. Stop and check all my bulbs and fuse they were in good condition. I called Hyundai customer care and was told that 2008 Elantra's were not covered by their recall for this problem, that I would have to bring the car in for a dignostic that will cost $110. They told me that even if their were a recall, the recall does not affect my car and is not in their database.
Car following me notified me that the brake lights were not working on my 2008 Hyundai Elantra. Stop lamp fuse I was checked and was good as well as both rear stop lamp bulbs. I inspected the brake lamp switch near the brake and found it to stuck in the off position. After pressing the switch several times the switch worked for a few times and then stuck in the on position. I called Hyundai customer care and was told that 2008 Elantra's were not covered by their recall for this problem and they would pay for repair.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Headlight complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 8% of the model year's 314 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Elantra headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-113 (switch, Apr 1, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Elantra headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 injuries to lights 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.