Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Hyundai Veracruz owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that the battery was draining due to the radio not turning off internally. The radio knob was turned off along with the ignition and the key removed however, the battery was still being drained. The contact stated that the door remote failed to lock and unlock the doors. The contact stated that the battery needed to be charged for several hours for the vehicle to operate as needed. The contact stated that when the battery was checked with a hydrometer it showed that the battery cells were dead. The contact stated that the battery was replaced in February. The contact stated that neither the dealer nor the independent mechanic was notified of the failure. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 08E055000 (Trailer Hitches) and 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the contact had not been able to schedule a recall repair appointment with the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently began to stall and lost power. The contact stated he shifted the vehicle to neutral and veered to the side of the road where he parked the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and he drove to his destination. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. …
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the dealer diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer and was repaired 4 months later. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Upon picking up the vehicle, the contact noticed that the dashboard was fractured. The contact stated that there were cracks on the driver's side airbag and on the passenger's side airbag enclosure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the failure was due to the vehicle staying under the sun for 4 months. …
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes seized in the middle of the highway. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife and a nearby driver were able to guide the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact's wife raised the hood, and the contact became aware that smoke was coming from the ABS module accompanied by electrical sparks. The contact's wife turned the vehicle off. The contact noticed that the aluminum ABS module casing was burned. The contact disconnected the battery and the ABS fuse, which stopped the smoke and the electrical sparks. The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started shaking violently and lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his residence. The contact became aware that the alternator had shattered and was filled with oil. The contact called and notified the local dealer about the failure however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part was not available to do the recall repair. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact was concerned that the vehicle would lose motive power while driving due to a previous alternator failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure mileage was 260,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
ABS Anti-Lock Brake System Failure (ABS Control Unit) As seen in NHTSA CAMPAIGN [redacted], for newer year models, The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. This recall should also include 2008-2010 Hyundai Veracruz's as the ABS Module is the same part number and can leak brake fluid. This can lead to serious injury or death as the car may not function as intended or catch on fire. I noticed a strong burning smell similar to burning toast when the car was dropped off at the shop. My Mechanics noticed my ABS Control Unit had liquid coming out of the poorly sealed module, and told me to report this to the NTSHA. The unit had to be replaced for about $3800. The first symptom is the ESC Light flashing while driving. …
Bought my Veracruz in 2018. After not even a year I started experiencing problems with the charging system. Car would die overnight. Replaced a battery with the new one 3 weeks later same thing happened. Changed many sensors checked the fuses looked for parasitic draw... battery cables. Removed the alternator had it checked at advance auto it was surprisingly good. It was covered with oil leaking out of valve cover.. replaced the valve cover seal but the problem still remains. That leakage messed up my charging system. I cannot even drive the car safely anymore because the voltage keeps dropping rapidly. Even tho alternator is good it's not charging the battery while car is running. P0346 is the code I'm getting when I scan the vehicle. Check engine and TPMS are on. I won't even be able to pass emissions test next month due to this mess.
This is a complaint about the failure of the Hyundai company to respond in a timely matter to a recall issued in Nov. 2020 (NHTSA 20V-705/Hyundai Recall 197) which can affect the alternator and electrical system of the vehicle. The company has not yet issued a resolution and so the dealers will not perform the necessary repairs needed to avoid a breakdown. This is the second recall issued for the exact same problem. Hyundai stated they would issue a remedy but have failed to do so and it has been 8 months. I am asking NHTSA to require the company to provide a remedy so as to avoid a potentially dangerous system failure. I have been through an electrical system failure once already while in traffic due to this precise problem. It could have been deadly. Something needs to be done and Hyundai is dragging its feet. Please intervene.
This is referring to NHTSA recall 20V705000 a/k/a Hyundai TSB: 21-01047H-2 whereas my 2008 Hyundai Veracruz was brought into a Hyundai dealership regarding the above mentioned safety recall. Dealer refused to remedy the recall without first purchasing an otherwise irrelevant part to the remedy. The TSB clearly states all parts and labor necessary to honoring the safety recall would be granted to the consumer. This refusal to honor a recall poses a safety hazard as this vehicle is my sole form of transportation.
Electrical complaints in other Veracruz years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, 28% of the model year's 230 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Veracruz electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, though it has 5 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 Veracruz electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries to electrical system 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.