MyCarTSB

2008 Hyundai Sonata Lights Problems

15 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

15
Complaints
3
Recalls
Apr 2010Dec 2016
Date Range

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

Lights Recalls (3)

RECALLCampaign #09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

RECALLCampaign #13V113000

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. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Fix: 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.

RECALLCampaign #08E021000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 4,085 REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2006-2008 SONATA AND AZERA VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ALIGNED PROPERLY AND FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: HYUNDAI-KIA DEALERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR SUPPLY TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. NONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WERE SOLD AS RETAIL. AS A RESULT, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

Owner Complaints (15)

mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2020

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.

NHTSA #: 11331347
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2018

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, (562) 314-4331) 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT PARTS AND LABOR WOULD NOT BE COVERED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E021000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN REGARDS TO THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) AND 08E021000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AS POTENTIAL CAUSES OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,605.

NHTSA #: 11151457
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2016

THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF! A LIGHT SAYS ESC OFF, WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF , LATER THE LIGHT IS OUT BUT I STILL DO NOT HAVE FUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHTS THEY JUST STAY ON WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA #: 10937210
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,SEATS
Filed: Dec 2016

IM JUST WRITING BECAUSE IM GETTING ALOT OF ALERTS FROM YOU GUYS AND I DONT LIVE AT THE SAME ADDRESS WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR. SO IM NOT GETTING MY RECALL LETTERS OR NOTICES. SO WHAT IM WOUNDERING IS WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO MAKE SURE MY CAR IS NOT BEING EFFECTIVE BY THESES RECALLS. THANK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY.

NHTSA #: 10935937
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2016

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. I WOULD LIKE THE COMPANY/DEALER TO GET THIS FIXED ASAP SINCE THE PART HAS AGAIN STARTED CREATING PROBLEMS IN JUST 2 YEARS AND I AM WORRIED WITH THE FURTHER PROBLEM IT MAY CAUSE TO MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE TODAY MORNING WHILE COMMUTING TO OFFICE.

NHTSA #: 10871860
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2014

I WAS UNAWARE WHEN I HAVE TURNED ON MY PARKING LIGHTS - NOT MY HEADLIGHTS. DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE THE SAME FOR EITHER CHOICE. TOO OFTEN I AM UNAWARE WHEN I HAVE NOT TURNED MY HEADLIGHTS ON.. DEALER RESPONSE WAS - NO CARS GIVE YOU VISUAL INDICATION OF THE SELECTED LEVEL OF OUTSIDE LIGHTING. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS CAUSE NEAR MISSES OFTEN AT DUSK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10660503
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2014

I CANT KEEP HEADLIGHTS WORKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE WIRES ARE MELTED SO ITS HARD TO EVEN CHANGE THE BULBS. ANYWAYS I HAVE BEEN THROUGH 4-6 BULBS SINCE FEB. BUT MOST OF THE TIME I GO WITHOUT LIGHTS ON THAT SIDE EVEN THOUGH IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10629597
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Nov 2013

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10551683
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2013

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR PARK AND FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH . *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER SON DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL, AND WHEN HE TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. HER SON HAD TO GET ASSISTANCE, TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, SO HE COULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE. HER SON WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY, AND WHILE DRIVING, IT BECAME APPARENT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT RESPONDING NORMALLY BY DISENGAGING WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES. HE IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO AN AUTO CENTER. THE AUTO CENTER DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED IT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BOWER/FAN SWITCH, WHICH WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER, THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE FAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2011. ON OR ABOUT JULY 2012, SHE AGAIN BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE BLOWER/FAN OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER OFFERED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY ONE WEEK. UPDATED 11/25/13

NHTSA #: 10550200
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2013

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS (BOTH ALONG BUMPER AND IN THE BACK WINDOW) FAILED TO COME ON ALTHOUGH ALL FUSES AND BULBS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE. *JS

NHTSA #: 10538357
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Jun 2013

ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT. NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS YEARS BUT NOT THE 2008. *TR

NHTSA #: 10515682
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V122000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE LIGHT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,925.

NHTSA #: 10476562
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

NHTSA #: 10462045
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Filed: Aug 2011

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. *KB

NHTSA #: 10416963
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2010

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL BACK IN EARLY 2008 ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SENSOR. I TOOK THE CAR IN A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR IN ANOTHER TIME AND THE DEALERSHIP SAW THE DEFECT. WHAT HAPPENS IS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL COME ON SAYING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF, EVEN IF THERE IS AN ADULT OVER 150LBS SITTING IN THE SEAT IN THE UP-RIGHT POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP SENT THE SEAT TO SOME PLACE IN CALIFORNIA TO BE FIXED AND THEN WAS RETURNED AFTER THREE DAYS. I GOT THE CAR BACK AND I WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN A NUMBER OF TIMES TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED. I SHOWED THEM PICTURES AND VIDEOS BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG. MY SALES-WOMAN SUGGESTED THAT I FILE THE LEMON LAW ON THE CAR. SHE SAID THAT AS LONG AS I WAS STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT I WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE LEMON LAW. I CALLED THE HOTLINE NUMBER SHE GAVE ME AND THEY SAID I JUST MISSED THE DEADLINE BY ONE MONTH. THE REP FOR THE LEMON LAW SAID I HAD TWO YEARS PLUS 60 DAYS TO FILE. MY DEADLINE WOULD OF BEEN JANUARY OF 2009. I CALLED THE HOTLINE IN FEBRUARY OF 2009. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE BBB AUTO LINE. THE ONLY THING BBB DID FOR ME WAS CONTACT HYUNDAI TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH ME FOR THE DISTRICT PARTS MANAGER TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THE FIRST APPOINTMENT WAS GIVEN TO ME WITH TWO DAYS NOTICE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE. I AM A MANAGER OF A STORE AND I WORK 9AM-6PM EVERYDAY EXCEPT SUNDAYS. I WAS TOLD THAT HYUNDAI WOULD SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH ME BUT I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM THEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE DISTRICT PARTS MANAGER WOULD NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 9:30AM AND THE DEALERSHIP CLOSES BEFORE I WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO GET THERE IN THE EVENINGS AND THEY ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. I ALSO RECENTLY FOUND TWO MORE RECALLS ISSUED FOR MY CAR FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10327138

Other 2008 Hyundai Sonata Issues