2008 Hyundai Accent: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 101 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (31% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have a 2008 Hyundai Accent. It only has 55,000 miles. However, the engine is failing. After doing reading, it is obvious that this vehicle has manufacturer engine defects. I am 81 years old. What do I do now. I did not want to purchase another vehicle. I would like Hyundai to replace this engine without cost to me. I have own cars with 89,000 miles that did not have engine defects.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2023
“my car has been broken into twice in the past three months, with personal items being stolen each time: a child car seat, a child booster seat, an emergency inhaler medication for asthma, multiple charging cords, a bluetooth adapter system, and a workbag which contained medical equipment and scrubs and shoes. I need a new security system for my car with automatic locks.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2023
“08 accent gs, airbag light on without any accident or unusual driving. Its a safety issue. Hyundai should have recalled this issue since many customers have the same problem.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Airbag light came on and stays on. Was informed by multiple mechanics in the area that is a known safety and system malfunction issue with the 2008 hyundai accent hatchback models and not sure way a recall has not been issued.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai accent. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle ran out of fuel and stalled. The contact indicated that there was no fuel in the fuel tank even though the vehicle was refueled prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to goshen motors (3220 elcott rd, goshen, in) where it was diagnosed that the fuel system was faulty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2019
“Sun visors are broken ,, one won,t stay up an light won,t work,, one falls out of mount,, went to pick-a-part, all of the hyundai's in there already had their sun visors removed ,, not safe with them falling down an out”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2019
“Takata recall: air bag light stays on and car cannot be inspected. Also check engine light stays on. Removed passenger and driver seats to check sensors/wires but did not solve the problem”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2019
“This vehicle has excessive rust underbody, and the fuel tank straps are rusted along with just about the whole frame. The brakes are now squealing and rubbing after an alleged underbody rust treatment, which sprayed over the old rust! Hyundai has offered a "wax treatment" which is basically waxing my rust. The fuel straps seem to me to be a safety issue of great importance, as well as the brakes. The driver's side seatbelt does not always fasten and I was told that there's nothing wrong with it. Hyundai refuses to address the safety issues, stating the car is out of warranty, yet they admit the original frame coating was too thin.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai accent. While driving approximately 40 mph, the driver's side sun visor suddenly came down and obstructed the contact's view. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail while attempting to avoid a collision with a second vehicle. During the incident, the driver sustained an injured lower back and neck. Medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (jim hudson hyundai, 310 greystone blvd, columbia, sc 29210) were contacted and did not assist. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 35,000. *tt *tr”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2017
“Drivers side sun visor assembly design allows it to fall down and flap thereby causing myself the driver and owner to have an accident. Hyundai refuses to acknowledge this defect as a serious safety issue. I could have been killed!!!!! I was driving in heavy traffic on a u.s. Interstate in south carolina.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Accent by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Hyundai Accent reliable?
NHTSA has 101 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2008 Hyundai Accent. The most complained-about area is air bags (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Accent problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 54,700 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Accent have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.