VehicleVerdict

2008 Hyundai Azera problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 101 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median Azera year — the 2008 model ranks #4 of 13 Azera years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seats (24), brakes (17), and airbags (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

101

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Azera years?

Azera NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted280 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 280 complaints2007: 188 complaints2008: 101 complaints2009: 36 complaints2010: 11 complaints2011: 35 complaints2012: 82 complaints2013: 149 complaints2014: 60 complaints2015: 17 complaints2016: 17 complaints2017: 16 complaints
Azera NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Azera years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Azera problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seats2424%
Brakes1717%
Airbags1616%
Electrical System1515%
Engine88%
Seat Belts55%
Speed Control44%
Other33%
Fuel System33%
Body & Structure33%
Tires & Wheels11%
Suspension11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2008 Hyundai Azera have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V026000BrakesJanuary 9, 2018 · 87,854 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .

Consequence

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

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 on February 19, 2018. Owners may call Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 172.

16V630000SeatsAugust 31, 2016 · 9,700 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Azera vehicles manufactured March 7, 2007 through August 14, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the power-adjustable front driver seat may unexpectedly move without the driver's input while the vehicle is being driven.

Consequence

Unintentional movement of the driver's seat may affect the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power-adjustable seat switch, free of charge. The recall began October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 150.

13V354000SuspensionAugust 12, 2013 · 364,502 units

Defect

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.

Consequence

Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.

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.

10V007000Seat BeltsJanuary 8, 2010 · 80 units

Defect

HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 AZERA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2008. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR MAY SUSTAIN DAMAGE AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE SEAT BELT. IF THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING BECOMES DAMAGED THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT IS AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY SHOULD THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.

Remedy

HYUNDAI WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT AND INSTALL A NEW SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING HARNESS CLIP, IF NECESSARY, AND REROUTE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING AND SECURE THE WIRING WITH A NEW HARNESS CLIP. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO 1-787-999-3333.

09V497000Seat BeltsDecember 28, 2009 · 65,185 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 AZERA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2008. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR MAY SUSTAIN DAMAGE AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE SEAT BELT. IF THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING BECOMES DAMAGED THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT IS AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY SHOULD THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.

Remedy

HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

08E021000LightingMarch 7, 2008 · 4,085 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT MOVED FORWARD FORCEFULLY AND INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · July 31, 2013 · crash

MY MOTHER PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK. THE CAR MADE A WEIRD SOUND AND THEN ACCELERATED AT A QUICK SPEED. SHE PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND HAD SKID MARKS TO PROVE IT, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. SHE RAN INTO THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR'S BRICK HOUSE. THIS HAPPENED ON AN EASTER SUNDAY. MY SISTER WAS IN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 5, 2015 · crash

MY MOTHER PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK. THE CAR MADE A WEIRD SOUND AND THEN ACCELERATED AT A QUICK SPEED. SHE PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND HAD SKID MARKS TO PROVE IT, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. SHE RAN INTO THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR'S BRICK HOUSE. THIS HAPPENED ON AN EASTER SUNDAY. MY SISTER WAS IN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 5, 2015 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI AZERA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND WHITE SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO O'BRIEN HYUNDAI OF FT MYERS (2850…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 5, 2018 · fire

FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE CAR WAS PARKED & OFF. KEY WAS NOT IN IGNITION. CAR SAT UNUSED FOR APPROX. 48 HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 9, 2018 · fire

2008 Hyundai Azera — common questions

Is the 2008 Hyundai Azera reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 101 complaints put the 2008 model at #4 of 13 Azera years. It is one of the Azera years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Azera problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seats (24 complaints), brakes (17 complaints), airbags (16 complaints).

Does the 2008 Hyundai Azera have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Hyundai Azera. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Hyundai Azera under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Azera years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Azera years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among Azera years belongs to 2005.

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.