2008 Hyundai Elantra MPG
EPA ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra run from 24–25 mpg in town to 33 on the highway, or 27–28 combined, depending on which of its 2 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive manages 27 mpg combined, 1 mpg less.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra | 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular · 317 g CO₂/mi |
| Elantra | 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 27 | Regular · 329 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Hyundai Elantra fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2008 Hyundai Elantra costs about $2,330 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (28 mpg combined), or roughly 16 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (27 mpg combined) comes to about $2,420 a year, $90 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Hyundai Elantra specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra: a 2.0 L 4-cyl. It came with automatic and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Midsize Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L | 4 | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2008 Hyundai Elantra problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 314 owner complaints about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra.
Steering is the most-reported area (13% of component mentions), followed by air bags (10%) and gasoline fuel system (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 16 complaints a year: more than the 2009 (14 a year).
That ranks 16th of 17 Hyundai Elantra model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 314, 38 mention a crash, 23 a fire and 27 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 55 | 13% |
| Air bags | 42 | 10% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 40 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 32 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 30 | 7% |
| Power train | 30 | 7% |
| Engine | 24 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 24 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 24 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 22 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 4% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 16 | 4% |
| Suspension | 11 | 3% |
| Structure | 10 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 6 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 1% |
| Tires | 5 | 1% |
| Visibility | 5 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 4 | <1% |
| Equipment | 3 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 3 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 3 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 2 | <1% |
| Wheels | 2 | <1% |
| Shell carry handle | 1 | <1% |
| Other/i am not sure | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The EPS sensor trips when making a turn rendering the vehicle completely inoperable. I have to put the vehicle in park, shut it off, then turn it back on to continue moving. …
The contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the wife was driving at 30 MPH, the contact's wife was involved in a no-fault accident. …
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. …
2008 Hyundai Elantra recalls
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra has been the subject of 7 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 20V061000 from February 2020, concerns hydraulic service brakes.
Air bags account for 2 of the 7 campaigns, more than any other area.
11V179000 · March 15, 2011 · Air bags
Problem: THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR DETERMINES THE SEAT'S FORE AND AFT POSITION AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AT THE PRESSURE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT SEATING POSITION, WITH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IN THE MOST FORWARD SEATING POSITIONS. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE MAY RECEIVE AN UNSTABLE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR SUCH THAT, IN A CRASH THAT REQUIRES DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY AT THE HIGHER PRESSURE THAN INTENDED IF THE SEAT WAS POSITION IN ONE OF THE FORWARD POSITIONS IN WHICH A LOWER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.
Risk: A HIGHER PRESSURE DEPLOYMENT THAN INTENDED INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY RESULTING FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE.
08V694000 · December 29, 2008 · Gasoline fuel system
Problem: THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER, UNIFORM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SURFACE CONTACT. THIS MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO PRODUCE LESS PUMPING PRESSURE THAN REQUIRED TO SUPPLY THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Risk: AS A RESULT, POOR ENGINE STARING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP SUBASSEMBLY.
08V429000 · August 25, 2008 · Gasoline fuel system
Problem: THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER UNIFORM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SURFACE CONTACT. THIS MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO PRODUCE LESS PUMPING PRESSURE THAN REQUIRED TO SUPPLY THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Risk: POOR ENGINE STARTING AND HESITATION MAY RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SUBASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Elantra years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V061000 | February 4, 2020 | Hydraulic service brakes | 2008–2010 |
| 15V100000 | February 23, 2015 | Steering | 2008–2010 |
| 13V113000 | April 1, 2013 | Exterior lighting | 2008–2010 |
| 11V143000 | March 15, 2011 | Air bags | 2008–2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Elantra.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Hyundai Elantras can be compared fairly. Among other 2008 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2008 Nissan Sentra (28 mpg), 2008 Nissan Altima (26 mpg) and 2008 Chevy Malibu (25 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 28 | 314 | 16 | 7 |
| 2009 | 28 | 254 | 14 | 4 |
| 2010 | 29 | 380 | 22 | 3 |
| 2011 | 32 | 433 | 27 | 5 |
Every Hyundai Elantra model year compared →
Similar 2008 models
FAQ
Is the 2008 Elantra a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Hyundai Elantra has 16 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (16th most of 17 model years), 7 recall campaigns and up to 28 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 Elantra problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are steering (55), air bags (42) and gasoline fuel system (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Elantra get?
The EPA rates the versions at 27–28 mpg combined (24–25 city, 33 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Elantra per year?
About $2,330 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,420 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).