MyCarTSB

2008 Hyundai Elantra Brakes Problems

31 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

31
Complaints
1
Recalls
5
Crashes
4
Fires
Jan 2022Dec 2011
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Brakes Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #20V061000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

Owner Complaints (31)

highPARKING BRAKE,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2022

Your car's ABS (anti-lock braking) system locked up while driving, and you noticed smoking in the parking lot along with a high-pitched winding noise when starting the engine. Both the parking brake and ABS warning lights came on. The dealer was unable to diagnose or repair the issue. The problem occurred at around 200,000 miles.

NHTSA #: 11488066
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 2026

Your brake warning light stayed on even after you parked your car and turned off the engine, starting about a week after the dealer completed a brake system recall repair. The brake lights remained illuminated continuously while the vehicle was off, which is unusual. This issue wasn't reported to the dealer or manufacturer, and the vehicle wasn't diagnosed or repaired for this problem. The repair will likely involve diagnosing the brake light circuit and potentially replacing a faulty brake light switch or wiring connector.

NHTSA #: 11718875
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Aug 2022

You received a recall notice for a hydraulic brake system issue on your 2008 Hyundai Elantra, but you no longer own the vehicle since you traded it in seven years ago. You contacted your local dealer to be removed from the recall mailing list. No crash or fire occurred.

NHTSA #: 11482091
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V061000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, after contacting the dealer on several occasions she was informed that the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was later informed that the parts were now available, but the service center was too busy to service vehicles for the next several months. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but no assistance was offered. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA #: 11446202
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving and at undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking and making a loud humming noise coming from the vehicle while depressing on the brake pedal. The contact stated that the ABS failure message was displayed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact was concerned about the brakes on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 198,000.

NHTSA #: 11439691
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FireFiled: Aug 2021

The contact's husband owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while asleep, she heard a loud, popping sound emit from outside. The contact looked out the window and saw flames emitting from her husband's vehicle. The authorities were called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was filed and no injuries from the fire were reported. Another vehicle and a tree sustained damage as a result of the fire. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an unknown location by her husband's insurance for an inspection. The next day, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V061000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) which she linked to the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer have yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

NHTSA #: 11431257
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2020

A EL VEHICULO SE LE ENCENDIO LA LUZ DEL ABS, EL VEHICULO ESTABA DETENIDO Y POSTERIORMENTE COMENZO A SALIR GRAN CANTIDAD DE HUMO POR DEBAJO DEL MISMO, LOGRE DESCONECTAR LA BATERIA, LLAME AL MECANICO Y CUANDO REVISO DETERMINO QUE ERA EL SISTEMA DE ABS QUE ESTABA DAADO.

NHTSA #: 11374380
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FireFiled: Sep 2020

THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS. IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT OUR HOUSE ON FIRE IF NOT FOR THE QUICK RESPONSE BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

NHTSA #: 11361727
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IDEAL BUICK GMC (5871 URBANA PIKE, FREDERICK, MD 21704; (301) 228-0791) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 11329786
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MIKE CAMLIN HYUNDAI (5162 US ROUTE 30, GREENSBURG, PA 15601, (724)-655-4332) WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF*JB

NHTSA #: 11328970
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Apr 2020

ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE ABS PUMP CAUGHT FIRE IT WAS PUT OUT I CONTACTED THE NTSA ABOUT IT TO SEE IF IT HAD A RECALL I WAS TOLD NO WELL I GOT A USED PUMP AND PUT IT ON SO I COULD USE THE CAR I COULDN'T GET THE PLUG CHANGED SO IT WAS UNPLUGGED WELL MY WIFE WAS COMING BACK FROM THE STORE SHE GOT TO A CURVE WHEN SHE STARTED SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE THE TIRES LOCKED UP AND SHE HIT THE DITCH AND FLIPPED THIS IS ALL BECAUSE THE ABS WASN'T WORKING ANYMORE AND I WAS SCARED TO EVEN GET THE PLUG FIXED CAUSE IF IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE MY WIFE AND KID WAS IN THE CAR I COULD HAVE LOST MY FAMILY NOW I HAVE NO VEHICLE BECAUSE Y'ALL DIDN'T LOOK INTO THE MATTER UNTIL A YEAR LATER

NHTSA #: 11322744
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2020

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT THE ABS MODULE IS CONTINUALLY POWERED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD DEVELOP EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. IF A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS INSIDE THE ABS MODULE, THERE COULD BE AN INCREASED RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. WE ARE UNABLE TO CONTACT NO ONE EITHER BY PHONE OR EMAIL! *TR

NHTSA #: 11321502
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). NEITHER THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA #: 11320951
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED STAR HYUNDAI (200 S. CLACK ST, ABILENE, TX 79605, (888)264-9592) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO PARK THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA #: 11321004
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE
FireFiled: Apr 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT HER HOME AND CAUGHT ON FIRE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECENTLY RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND BELIEVES THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA #: 11320744
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
FireFiled: Feb 2020

14 HOURS AFTER PARKING THE CAR, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED SMOKE SOURCE. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO SAID THE ABS SYSTEM SHORTED CAUSING A FIRE AND DESTROYING WIRING HARNESS. LUCKILY IT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

NHTSA #: 11308829
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FRACTURED AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,443.

NHTSA #: 10701492
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10630151
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2014

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS NOTED TO BE ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A BROKEN WIRE IN THE MAIN ENGINE HARNESS. THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10568726
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Oct 2013

IF SOMEONE HAD NOTIFIED ME ABOUT MY NEW CAR AND ITS PROBLEMS I WOULD OF NOT BEEN IN THREE DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS FRONT END ALL OF THEM AND CHECK FOR YOUR SELF MY RECORD IN DRIVING WAS PERFECT LAST TEN YEARS OR MORE WHEN I HAD MY OLDER CAR IN YEAR AND NO ACCIDENTS .. HI I HAVE BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN DEC OF 2012 A FEW MONTHS GOES BY AND I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ,, KEEP IN MIND BEFORE I HAD A JETTA OLD MODEL NO ACCIDENTS SINCE THE DAY I GOT MY LICENSE .. I FELT WHEN I TRIED TO JAM ON BRAKES TO NOT GET IN ACCIDENT MY BRAKES STOP ALITTLE BUT LUNGED FORWARD I PUSHED VERY HARD STILL AGAIN STOP LUNGED FORWARD .. NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER IT WAS FIXED AND I SPRAINED MY NECK ANOTHER FRONT END DAMAGE OCCURRED BRAKES AT FAULT BECAUSE PUSHED HARD TO STOP IN SUDDEN ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY DEFECTS OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD LET ME THINK BREAKS ARE NOT PERFECT AS THEY SHOULD BE .. I HAD A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD SINCE I WAS SIXTEEN FOR THE MOST PART LAST TEN YRS NO ACCIDENTS . BUT AS SOON AS I PURCHASE THIS ELANTRA THREE ACCIDENTS I WILL NOT BE PUNISHED FOR REASON I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALLS . *TR

NHTSA #: 10550101
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2013

THE CRUISE CONTROL ON HYUNDAI ELANTRA FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHILE I DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH DESPITE REPEATEDLY PUSHING THE "CANCEL" AND "OFF" BUTTONS. FIRM BRAKING ALSO FAILED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I MANAGED TO STOP ONLY AFTER PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND APPLYING HEAVY/MAXIMUM BRAKING. SMOKE. TIRES DESTROYED. SCARY! MY CHILD AND I ALMOST DIED. THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. KIA AND HYUNDAI RECENTLY RECALLED 1.9 MILLION VEHICLES TO FIX THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, THIS INCIDENT SUGGESTS THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY CAR HAD THE RECALL PROCEDURE COMPLETED ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT OCCURING.

NHTSA #: 10538151
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 2011

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. KMJ

NHTSA #: 10441555
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Sep 2011

BRAKES FAILED! I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACKUP IN A PARKING LOT. I WAS MOVING SLOWLY (2MPH) AND THE BRAKES FAILED, GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ROLLED FOR 15 FEET, PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MY CAR STOPPED, SLIGHTLY TAPPING A PARKED CAR, IMMEDIATELY IN MY REAR, IN THE IN OPPOSITE PARKING SPACE. I LOCATED THE OWNER OF THAT CAR AND THERE WAS ONLY A SMALL SCRATCH AND NO DAMAGE. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO EXCHANGE PAPERS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ON 9/27/11 AND ADVISED OF BRAKE FAILURE. MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP, PER FACTORY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. I JUST RECEIVED A MA STATE INSPECTION STICKER IN AUGUST, 2011. MY CAR PASSED MA STATE INSPECTION AT THAT TIME. MY CAR WAS LAST SERVICED ON 8/23/11 AT 50,607 MILES WITH NEW TIRES AND ROTATION, OIL CHANGE, STATE INSPECTION STICKER, CABIN AIR FILTER, FRONT WIPER BLADES, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANING, THE FACTORY ELECTRICAL RECALL FOR THE 099 WS CONNECTOR COVER INSTALLED, AND DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE FOR 'THUMPING NOISE' IN FRONT, FROM PARK TO REVERSE, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND BY TECHNICIAN, STATING' ALL COMPONENTS IN PROPER OPERATING CONDITION AT THIS TIME' ON MY REPAIR ORDER. ALSO RECEIVED THE HYUNDAI MULTI-POINT INSPECTION REPORT ATTACHED TO MY PAPERWORK FROM TECHNICIAN #753 - "BRAKE INSPECTION" WAS MARKED IN GREEN "CHECKED OK?. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN MY DRIVING EXPERIENCE. I FOLLOWED FACTORY REQUIRED 15K, 30K AND 45K MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE NOW BRAKES HAVE FAILED. WHY? *TT

NHTSA #: 10427692
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 2011

THE REAR ROTORS ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAD GROOVES WORN IN WITH ONLY A LITTLE OVER 37,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE BRAKE PADS ON THE RIGHT REAR WERE WORN ALMOST COMPLETELY WHILE THE BRAKE PADS ON THE LEFT REAR HAD ENOUGH MATERIAL LEFT ON THEM TO DRIVE ANOTHER 15,000 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED REPAIR CENTER FOR NEW PADS BECAUSE MY BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK.. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE PADS AND THE ROTORS AND STATED THAT IT IS ODD FOR THE PADS ON ONE SIDE TO BE WORN OUT AND THE PADS ON THE OTHER SIDE TO HAVE ABOUT A YEAR'S WORTH OF PAD LEFT. THE SIDE WHERE THE PADS THAT HAD A YEAR LEFT ON THEM THE ROTOR HAD SUBSTANTIAL GROVES. THE ROTOR ON THE SIDE WITH THE WORN PADS HAD LESS DAMAGE. HE STATED THE ROTORS WERE PROBABLY SUBSTANDARD AND THEY WERE PROBABLY MADE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR THEIR PERUSAL. THE SUPERVISOR STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WORN AND THE CAUSE WAS LIKELY A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CAR'S WARRANTY. I CONTEND THE PROBLEM IS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND OR POOR WORKMENSHIP. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOR HELP. THEY ALSO STATED THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THERE MIGHT BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ROTORS ON OTHER ELANTRA'S ON THE ROAD TODAY AND THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE IF IT IS NOT ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10424341
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2011

BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE

NHTSA #: 10380409
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
CrashFiled: Sep 2010

I OWN A 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING, MY CAR MADE A GRINDING SOUND FOR 4-6 SECONDS (LIKE MY ABS BRAKES WERE TURNING ON, BUT LONGER) AND DIDN?T STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME (ROADS WERE DRY & MY CAR WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 10 MPH). DUE TO THE LOW SPEED, MY CAR ONLY BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT AND ONLY BUMPERS WERE DAMAGED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK MY BRAKES. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN?T FIND ANYTHING. TWO WEEKS LATER, I?M DRIVING AND GO TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT (DIFFERENT LIGHT, ROADS WERE DRY, GOING MAYBE 10-15 MPH) AND MY CAR AGAIN MAKES THE SAME GRINDING SOUND FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES. AFTER I PRESSED AND RELEASED THE BRAKES, THE GRINDING SOUND STOPPED AND THE CAR STOPPED. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEY LOOKED IT OVER, SAW NO COMPUTER READ OUT, AND TOLD ME THEY DIDN?T THINK THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND UNLESS THEY COULD DUPLICATE IT, THEY COULDN?T FIX IT. I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN (AT WHICH POINT THEY COULD TAKE MY CAR FOR 2-3 WEEKS TO TEST IT AND SEE IF THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. (I ASKED, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER!) THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE HAPPENED TWICE MORE (ONCE IN THE RAIN, ONCE ON DRY ROADS, & ALWAYS WHEN I TRY TO STOP WHILE TRAVELING 15MPH OR LESS). I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT APPARENTLY IT IS LIKELY DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE (QUITE A FEW OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THE YEARS AND MAKES DIFFER) AND ALL OF THEM HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE MODULE, BUT THEY WILL REPLACE IT FOR ABOUT $1500+LABOR. I LIVE BY NUMEROUS SCHOOLS, SO I CAN?T RISK HAVING A CAR THAT WON?T STOP (TOO MANY SMALL CHILDREN THAT LIKE TO RUN IN FRONT OF CARS), & HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY TO FIX IT OR GET A NEW CAR, BUT THEY SHOULD REALLY DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10353820
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jan 2010

2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS PROCEEDING NORTH WHEN IT HIT A HYDROPLANE ON AN UPGRADE WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES ON DOWNGRADE TO NO AVAIL. CAR CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR, WENT INTO A RESIDENTIAL YARD AND THROUGH RESIDENCE FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A HALT ON UPGRADE OF RESIDENCE YARD. FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED FACE, HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES. CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10298772
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Filed: Jul 2009

FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSED BRAKE LIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING AS WELL AS PREVENTING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FROM PARK, WITHOUT USING SHIFT LOCK OVER-RIDE. NO CRASHES OCCURRED AS HELPFUL MOTORIST NOTIFIED ME OF BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS A RECALL BY NHTSA FOR EARLIER MODEL HYUNDAI ELANTRAS - THE 2008 MODELS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. THE SHIFT LOCK ISSUE WAS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I HAD NO IDEA BOTH PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED BY THE SAME FAILURE. AS MY CAR IS RELATIVELY NEW AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY I WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. IF THESE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES ARE STILL FAULTY, THERE COULD BE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AS IT IS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA #: 10279002
mediumPARKING BRAKE
Filed: Jan 2009

FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS I HAVE NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. NOW 2 DAYS AGO WHILE ON A HILL AND IN PARK I HAD THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON AND THE CAR STARTED ROLLING WITH ME IN IT BEFORE I EVEN GOT OUT OF THE CAR. BACK IN AUGUST I TOLD MY DEALER THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS WHEN I WOULD PARK ON A HILL AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND IT STOPPED DOING THIS, BUT THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW IT IS GETTING MORE SERIOUS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10256691
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2009

MY CAR, WHEN DRIVEN IN THE SNOW, WHEN YOU BRAKE, THE CAR STARTS TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL FREEZES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION, AT THE TOP OF THE PEDAL, LEAVING YOU WITH NO BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME, THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS TO ME, MAKES THE CAR A DEATH TRAP, WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW. I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING, I CAN EASILY REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BY DRIVING ON A STREET WITH SNOW, I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT NOW ONTO A HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10255570
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2008

TL*THE 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.

NHTSA #: 10248319

Other 2008 Hyundai Elantra Issues