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 Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I find replacing the light bulbs for head lights and brake lights and flood lights more often than any other cars I have owned. The steering wheel makes a noise when turning left. And a noise is getting louder not sure what it's related to.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the passenger side air bag indicator illuminated and remained lit. In addition, the low beam headlights became misaligned to the left and failed to illuminate the full view of the road ahead. Downey Hyundai (7550 Firestone blvd, downey, california 90241, [phone]) was made aware of the air bag indicator failure and disconnected the passenger side air bag. The dealer stated that the passenger side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Keyes mission hills Hyundai (10240 sepulveda blvd, mission hills, california 91345) was made aware of the headlamp lighting failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
One of the rear brake lights are not turning on while applying the brakes. On investigation I found that it might be due to the brake lamp switch issue mentioned on Hyundai's website and they recalled a lot of vehicles in last couple of years. When I checked about the car's eligibility on Hyundai's website, I found my car as eligible for repair free of cost. After talking to the dealer for fixing of the issue, they said that my vehicle is not eligible for the repair. Then I sent an email to the helpdesk with the details. Also, I contacted them on the helpline number. As per them, my vehicle was already recalled a couple of years back and the switch was replaced with a high quality part which should not create any more problems and I'll have to bear the inspection and replacement cost. …
When I put my car in park turn off the car my parking lights come on cant turn them off at switch have to disconnect my battery for fear my car wont start, also at dark while im driving I switch my lights to just the running lights my windshield wipers come on. No matter if my switch is on auto or off my lights still stay on. When I turn off the car and at times I cant get my key out of the ignition I have to wiggle the shiftier, and if that dose not work then I put my seat belt back on and push the lock and unlock button on my key fob. So with all of this I cant use the alarm nor the ability to unlock my door and to have my interior lights come on at night. This needs to be fixed because of the night time security features.
The headlights on my car are angled too low while using low-beams and the visibility at night is bad. This has been an issue for the entire time I have had this car and I am now aware that I can file a complaint against it. High-beams seem to function OK.
2008 Hyundai Sonata. Consumer states discontent with denial of a online coupon, unresolved thumping, vibration that occurs when the vehicle is started. In addition the turn signal flasher/clicker is too quiet. The consumer stated the thumping and vibration occurred when he would drive away after the vehicle had been sitting overnight or it had been parked for 4-6 hours. After driving 3-5 miles, the thumping would go away, but not entirely. The thumping and vibration was felt in the steering. The consumer also stated the tires that came as standard equipment performed badly during snow and ice conditions. The tires did not grip properly. The consumer believed the problems were associated with the tires, because after the tires warm up, the thumping diminished quite a bit. The tires also had flat spots. The dealer replaced the flasher, but it didn't make any difference. …
The ESC off light on the dashboard of my 2008 Hyundai Sonata comes on after it has been driven for a few miles. When this occurs, the rear brake lights stop working. If I shut the engine off and restart the car, the ESC off light is unlit and the brake lights function normally. I understand there was a recall on 2006 and 2007 sonatas for this very problem (NHTSA campaign id number: 09V280000) that involved a defective stop lamp switch. My car is out of warranty and I must fix this problem as soon as possible due to extreme safety concerns for my family.
My driver's side airbag light has been on for quite some time, and my passenger side airbag light is not detecting anyone sitting in the passenger seat. I took my car to a mechanic and was told it's an electrical issue with my airbags and May be due to a faulty wiring issue under the front passenger seat. Additionally, the low beam on my driver side lighting fixture is not working, although I've had the bulb replaced multiple times. Further, the headlights, although also replaced, don't work at all.
Several times the ESC light has come on and I noticed a lot of drivers have their brake lights going off. I don't know if this is happening but I made an appointment and the light will not stay on so I cancelled. It did stay on once for 3 days along with the check engine light but I got my tires changed and both lights went off. Since then the ESC light keeps coming on but after it sets or you park it and restart, the light resets and goes off.
Both the rear brake lights and the rear dash lights stopped illuminating (11-12-2011). I also have the ESC indicator light going on and off (past 6 months) there was a warranty replacement on the stop lamp switch done on 10-23-2009. Service department invoice states ESC off light on caused by: recovered c1513 due to faulty brake lamp switch. Work performed: installed 93810-3k000-qqh stop lamp assembly switch. Problem still occurring!!!!
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 Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, 5% of the model year's 425 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Sonata headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-113 (switch, Apr 1, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Sonata headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
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.