2008 Hyundai Sonata engine problems
48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Bought in 2023 @ 98k miles. Have had trouble with 1.it would only start in drive, then that seems to have self corrected. 2. In drive, car would not accelerate properly, and would slow as though I was braking, but no foot on brake. Had rear brake sensor replaced, seemed better for a while. 3…”
filed Apr 25, 2025
“My ervin ceased up on the highway at 60 mph. It thru an engin rod.the engin oil made it impossible to see anything. Now after just buying this car used, there are no engines available for replacement. Too many have blown up. And hyundai says they are not being recalled. Same engin as the failures…”
filed Sep 7, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
23-EM-005H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 13, 2023Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.
22-EM-010H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 28, 2022
Engine problems in other Sonata years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sonata | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 Sonata | 26 | 31% |
| 2022 Sonata | 24 | 26% |
| 2021 Sonata | 34 | 27% |
| 2020 Sonata | 30 | 18% |
| 2019 Sonata | 83 | 53% |
| 2018 Sonata | 206 | 56% |
| 2017 Sonata | 382 | 50% |
| 2016 Sonata | 444 | 62% |
| 2015 Sonata | 614 | 54% |
| 2014 Sonata | 299 | 40% |
| 2013 Sonata | 728 | 38% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.