VehicleVerdict

2008 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 135 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Accent year — the 2008 model ranks #8 of 30 Accent years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 36 reports (27% of the total).

135

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted218 complaints1991: 2 complaints1993: 1 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 142 complaints1997: 82 complaints1998: 72 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 148 complaints2002: 163 complaints2003: 45 complaints2004: 40 complaints2005: 76 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 135 complaints2009: 128 complaints2010: 119 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 218 complaints2013: 206 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 160 complaints2017: 97 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 17 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 32 complaints
Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3627%
Visibility & Wipers2519%
Brakes129%
Lighting118%
Engine97%
Other97%
Electrical System86%
Body & Structure64%
Tires & Wheels43%
Seats32%
Steering21%
Fuel System21%
Seat Belts21%
Speed Control21%
Transmission21%
Latches & Locks11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2008 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSIER STREET IN TOWN AT ABOUT 35-40 MILES AN HOUR, WITH FAMILY IN THE CAR, WHEN A LADY IN AN SUV PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE CRUSHED INTO HER DRIVER'S TIRE AREA. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THANK GOODNESS EVERYONE HAD THEIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 4, 2015 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 27, 2017 · crash

“HEADING WEST BOUND ON I 10 IN ALABAMA. CAR WAS GOING BETWEEN 60-70MPH. AVOIDED THE ACCIDENT BY SLIDING INTO ANOTHER LANE, BREAKS DID NOT CATCH. UPON FISH TAILING BACK INTO TRAFFIC HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT UNTIL CAR WAS NO LONGER IN MOTION. THE FRONT DRIVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 5, 2016 · crash

“I OWN TWO HYUNDAI ACCENTS, A 2009 AND THIS, A 2008. NOW BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BECOMING INOPERATIVE. FORTUNATELY, THE LACK OF BRAKE LIGHTS WAS NOTICED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENTS OCCURRED, AND THE VEHICLES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WERE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE. IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 12, 2011

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 27, 2023

2008 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 2008 Hyundai Accent reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 135 complaints put the 2008 model at #8 of 30 Accent years. It is one of the Accent years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (36 complaints), visibility & wipers (25 complaints), brakes (12 complaints).

Does the 2008 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Accent years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accent years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 1995, 2002, 2016, 2001, 1996, 2008, 2015, 2014. The cleanest record among Accent years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.