VehicleVerdict

2008 Hyundai Veracruz problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 361 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Veracruz year — the 2008 model ranks #1 of 6 Veracruz years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 37 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 102 reports (28% of the total).

361

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

37

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Veracruz years?

Veracruz NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted361 complaints2007: 197 complaints2008: 361 complaints2009: 42 complaints2010: 125 complaints2011: 149 complaints2012: 77 complaints
Veracruz NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Veracruz years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Veracruz problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System10228%
Engine9727%
Brakes5014%
Airbags195%
Transmission175%
Steering154%
Lighting134%
Speed Control134%
Other103%
Latches & Locks62%
Fuel System51%
Seat Belts41%
Body & Structure31%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Suspension21%
Tires & Wheels21%

Does the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz have recalls?

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

20V705000EngineNovember 13, 2020 · 60,097 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.

Consequence

An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.

14V415000EngineJuly 8, 2014 · 61,122 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative.

Consequence

If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 121.

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.

11V472000AirbagsSeptember 9, 2011 · 205,233 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.

Consequence

IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy

HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

09V122000LightingApril 15, 2009 · 532,633 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

08E055000Trailer HitchSeptember 3, 2008 · 3,387 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. SOME CIRCUIT BOARD COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY SEALED TO PREVENT MOISTURE CONTACT. THE MOISTURE MAY RESULT IN CIRCUIT BOARD CORROSION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE CONVERTER MODULE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL CONDUCTED BY HYUNDAI AFFECTING THE SAME TRAILER HITCH WIRING COMPONENTS CONCERNING HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1. (PLEASE SEE 08E016). OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR TRAILER HITCH REPAIRED UNDER THE INITIAL CAMPAIGN WILL RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED HARNESS INSTALLED. HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE AFFECTED HARNESSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

08E016000Trailer HitchFebruary 7, 2008 · 3,387 units

Defect

THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055. HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1 COULD CAUSE HEAT RELATED DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE.

Consequence

EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AREA AND MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

NORMAL DRIVING HABITS ON THE 2008 VERACRUZ. AFTER HEARING A LARGE CLUNK GOING SPEEDS VARIABLE FROM 5-45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR IS UNRESPONSIVE AND VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. RESTARTED ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES TO WORK "NORMALLY" AGAIN. IT APPEARS THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND SUGGESTS REPLACING THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 8, 2011 · crash

I WENT TO START MY CAR AND I HEARD A NOSE SO THEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND SO AS I PUT IT IN GEAR TO DRIVE IT WENT ON IT OWN THE BRAKES WAS NOT WORK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 25, 2018 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ABS MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES IGNITED FROM THE BATTERY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY ATTENDANTS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 6, 2018 · fire

VEHICLE ALTERNATOR WENT, SOMETHING IN DRIVESHAFT BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO RIGHT ON ITS OWN INTO TELEPHONE POLE, SIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. RECALLS ARE OUT ON THESE ISSUES BUT NO ONE HAS COVERED VEHICLE LOSS AND LOAN.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 13, 2019 · crash

NORMAL DRIVING HABITS ON THE 2008 VERACRUZ. AFTER HEARING A LARGE CLUNK GOING SPEEDS VARIABLE FROM 5-45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR IS UNRESPONSIVE AND VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. RESTARTED ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES TO WORK "NORMALLY" AGAIN. IT APPEARS THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND SUGGESTS REPLACING THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 8, 2011 · crash

2008 Hyundai Veracruz — common questions

Is the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 361 complaints put the 2008 model at #1 of 6 Veracruz years. It is one of the Veracruz years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Veracruz problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (102 complaints), engine (97 complaints), brakes (50 complaints).

Does the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz have recalls?

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

Is the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Hyundai Veracruz years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Veracruz years to avoid are 2008, 2011, 2010, 2012. The cleanest record among Veracruz years belongs to 2009.

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.