Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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 vehicle will roll away when placed in park (while stationary) if attempting to park on any slight incline or decline. A ratcheting sound is heard coming from the transmission when this occurs as the vehicle is rolling out of control. Sometimes it starts to roll after you have exited the vehicle. The vehicle experienced the same concern several years ago and the transmission was replaced with a good used transmission. Now the used transmission is experiencing the same issue with not staying in park. A pedestrian was nearly struck last week by the vehicle rolling away but I was able to get back in it and stop it with the service brake. I have read online that this is a common occurrence with the Hyundai Elantra automatic transmissions.
On August 3rd 2018 I purchase a 2008 Hyundai Elantra from campbell auto finance used cars and trucks in gilroy california when I was driving home on the freeway doing 65 I heard a big thumping noise in the front passenger side like it shifted out of drive and came back into drive the check engine light came on every time I drove the car it will make that noise pop out of gear and go back into drive on August 7th 2018 I was driving my car back to gilroy the car made a hard bumping noise and then the car was stuck into 3rd gear and it's still stuck in 3rd gear and it will not come out
Transmission slams into third gear while driving (could be on side street, could be on the highway) and can only operate in third after that until the engine is turned off. I took it to a transmission place and they said it is the computer not the mechanics of the transmission. Check engine light does come on when this happens. This has happened multiple times first being in November the most recent was yesterday on the freeway. I have serviced the transmission appropriately.
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! …
My car wouldn't start and hissed when it did king Hyundai said "hissing was the condensation because it hadn't been driven for so long" (3 years - just went out and started it once in a while). Kh told me after extensive checking & videoing the underside of car (they sent me video) that it was the battery. It died on the way home ! And then: - kh misdiagnosed my car three times ! - head gasket now - kh told me they took "several test drives" yet the mileage in & the millage out on their invoice was exactly the same ! - took over a month to give me estimate - will not return my calls (30+ calls) to the service manager - dealer manager failed to return my calls also - even though Hyundai customer care dept themselves suggested the dealer honor the 100,000/10 year warranty - kh refused ! …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. Whenever the contact shifted into park, the gear would never stick. The vehicle would either move forward for a few seconds before coming to a complete stop. Whenever the gear was in drive, the vehicle would jerk forward. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not move or would suddenly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times for these failures. During the first visit, the mechanic replaced the transmission, which corrected the issue for less than four months. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they stated that the solenoids were causing the failures. The dealer replaced the valve assembly and the solenoids. There had been no further occurrences since the last repair. The contact believes that a recall should be issued since it appeared to be a manufacturer defect. …
While city driving between 30 and 40 miles per hour engine rpms drop to around 1000 rpms or less causing the vehicle to become sluggish and to vibrate. The only way to eliminate this problem is to force the vehicle to shift into a lower gear by mashing down on the accelerator. Under certain circumstances this kind of action could force an unnecessary rear end collision with front air bag deployment as well as personal injury. This problem has been brought to the dealers attention and they concur that it does exist. I've been told that I am not the only one that has reported this problem. They believe it May have something to do with a glitch in the torque converter software. Hyundai is aware of the problem (ref # 3406332) but offers no solution. I was basically told sorry they have no idea what it is and I'll just have to live with it. It is extremely annoying as well as dangerous. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle began to jump when the cruise control was deactivated. The contact did not apply any pressure to the brake pedal. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and the contact shut it off. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but when he released the clutch to place the vehicle in first gear, it would stall. After a few attempts to release the clutch to shift into first gear, the contact applied pressure to the brake pedal and the vehicle moved forward. The manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that the ABS module needed to be reset and indicated low voltage. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was 22,000 and failure mileage was 19,000.
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
Transmission complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of the model year's 314 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.