2008 Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Elantra 2008

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2008 Hyundai Elantra repairs by problem area

Engine (21%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (3%)

Brakes and Traction Control (15%)

Suspension and Steering (22%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (26%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (9%)

Chart based on 152 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra.

2008 Hyundai Elantra engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (8%)

$100 - $499 (27%)

< $100 (62%)

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Chart based on 26 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Hyundai Elantra 4dr Sedan

138-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

130000 mi

US $1600
Car wouldn't start; diagnosed as low compression by a local mechanic, the car was able to be started (pressure magically came back up?), and I drove it to a mechanic I trust. Their inspection identified a leaking valve cover gasket, a failed oxygen sensor, as well as that the car was overdue for replacement of its spark plugs, timing belt, and oxygen sensors; and that, additionally, thedrive belts were both in very bad shape. All of these (valve cover gasket, oxygen sensors, plugs, and belts) were replaced. 
101000 mi

US $350
Key ignition tumbler fell so key would not turn to start car. 
3000 mi Canister valve need to be replaced.  
47800 mi Car makes a whining noise, unable to replicate. Dissatisfied with service. Car was driven at 95 mph by mechanic according to my Scangauge. Unacceptable. 
105000 mi

US $100
and replaced the water pump also. 
111600 mi

C $800
clutch 
99000 mi As belt squeal on cold start 

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2008 Hyundai Elantra 4dr Sedan

138-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

46000 mi Ignition cylinder needed replacing. Key would not turn in ignition so you couldn't start the car. Had been an intermittent problem earlier, but dealer could not replicate until it failed completely. 
111000 mi

US $85
Upstream O2 sensor needed replacing. Failure code was intermittent. Replacement of sensor solved the problem. 
150000 mi

US $632
Timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and water pump (preventative) replaced upstream oxygen sensor replaced 
68700 mi

C $300
engine sensor replaced 
28000 mi Steering angle sensor/clockspring unit replaced under warranty (related to ESC light). 
600 mi Check engine light on --engine stalls 
1800 mi Had to have valve lash adjusters replaced 
2000 mi Blown Engine 
16000 mi

US $124
ECM repair/replace 
1000 mi Oil Control Valve had to be replaced. Fuel pump was replaced. Although this is a recalled part, car was losing power / running rough. Felt like it was about to stall. Technician indicated diagnostic code revealed OCV was causing this. Fuel pump replaced also due to recall at same time. 
1000 mi 08 Elantra SE was recalled: fuel pump replacement. Since then, car continues to fail to start (cranks but won't turn over) when sitting for ~2.5-4 hours. When it sits for 8-9 hours or more, it starts fine. Dealer will repair in Nov 2008. 1006 ttl miles. 
1000 mi This was the third fuel pump in a vehicle with less than 1400 miles. Third time is a charm. Orig pump was bad, recall caused replacement with another bad pump, third pump was good - finally. I sleep better knowing it now starts reliably. 
36580 mi SES light on for an extended period of time. Dealer unable to fix, traded car. 
5000 mi Fuel pump replaced as car stall while driving on highway at 65mph. 
9000 mi Malfunction Indicator Light came on as car started to buck in first gear. Drove to dealer. Dealer replaced oil control valve (FP Number 24355-23763). Problem resolved. 
59700 mi

US $212
Upper radiator hose developed pinhole leak, needed new hose. 
12000 mi Water pump was bad. Replaced, then had to take it back a week later for a cooling system problem...there was air in the cooling system. 
14000 mi check engine light 
118000 mi

US $300
Misfire on one cylinder. Liquid found in spark plug well for that cylinder, suspected from engine wash during front-end collision repair 1 month prior. Replaced all spark plugs and wires. 
58000 mi Oxygen sensor failed. 
73800 mi Engine light stayed on. Caused by a "cannister valve" related to emissions. 
52000 mi had to replace engine because the oil pan lug backed out and dumped all the oil on the interstate. shop replaced with used engine, but this voided factory warranty. 

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2008 Hyundai Elantra 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

58280 mi

$200
Change of clutch kit 

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2008 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.