24 of the
424 complaints about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra are about the
lighting — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,000 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11231905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesCharlottesville, VACrash3 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10807140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I LEASED MY CAR IN 2012, AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY LIGHTS AT LEAST 6 OR 7 TIMES. I HAVE BOUGHT BULBS TO REPLACE MY LIGHTS AND THEN NOTICED THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. MAINLY MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM HOWEVER I HAVE REPLACED HEAD LIGHTS LOW BEAMS AND FOG LIGHTS BEFORE TOO! I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS AS I HAVE PASSENGERS THAT ARE A HEAVIER WEIGHT. THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10628186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesSantee, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY BURNING OUT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE BRAKE LAMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10583178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesSantee, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 FEEL THAT THIS RECALL, BETWEEN THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT, CRUISE CONTROL CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DISENGAGE & HAVING A PROBLEM W/THE GEAR SHIFT ARE ALL PRETTY SERIOUS ISSUES. I FEEL LIKE THERE IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE W/THE ELANTRA. I DON'T THINK THE WORK THEY DID FIXED ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10551971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,184 milesKnoxville, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE COMPLAINT CONCERNING CAMPAIGN 110. SUN VISOR WILL FALL RANDOMLY AND OBSTRUCT THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!
NHTSA complaint #10534764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR AN ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,700.
NHTSA complaint #10514877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,951 milesCompton, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10505523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,043 milesDeltona, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10503967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,128 milesStaton Island, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SOMEONE ALERTED HER AND ADVISED HER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 37,128.
NHTSA complaint #10502778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesDebaoy, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10497695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMarch AIR Reserve Base, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD MY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND THE BULBS. I LOOKED UP ON LINE AND SEEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HYUNDAI VEHICLES DUE TO THE STOP LAMP SWITCH PROBLEM. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10489145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,846 milesStillwater, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ADVISED BY A POLICE OFFICER THAT HER TAIL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,846.
NHTSA complaint #10477043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesFront Royal, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
WAS UNABLE TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE OR PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. DISCOVERED THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE. HAD TO USE EXTRA KEY TO ENGAGE THE SWITCH LOCK IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. RESEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND RECALLS FOR MODELS 05-07 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL # 092. INFORMED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151 SO THEY COULD ADD TO THEIR DATABASES.
NHTSA complaint #10475300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesObden, UT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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 *BF 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
NHTSA complaint #10457412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesOzark, MO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #10456950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,789 milesErie, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING (A FACT THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF). THE PROBLEM WAS A MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WHICH WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10439691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesFayetteville, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKING AT 5 MPH. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10437447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesHuntsville, UT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10434833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesWoodbridge, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN UTILIZING THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ACTUATOR, WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
NHTSA complaint #10432992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,137 milesGlendale, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE 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*LJ UPDATED 08/01/11
NHTSA complaint #10404195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesLA Habra, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #10380409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,447 milesCosta Mesa, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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!
NHTSA complaint #10357284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atwater, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
WHEN YOU OPEN THE TRUNK AFTER A RAIN OR DURING IT RUNS OUT OF THE TAIL LIGHTS INTO THE TRUNK ON BOTH SIDES ON THE TRUNK LID FROM THE TAIL LIGHT LENSES DESIGN OF THE CAR IS THE PROBLEM I HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10217133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.