2008 Hyundai Accent recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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…
What could happen: 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 lea…
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13V113000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-633-5151.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2008 Hyundai Accent owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (34), Visibility (wipers / glass) (24), Brakes (12), Lights (10), Engine (9).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/14/2023 · Engine
I have a 2008 Hyundai Accent. It only has 55,000 miles. However, the engine is failing. After doing reading, it is obvious that this vehicle has manufacturer engine defects. I am 81 years old. What do I do now. I did not want to purchase another vehicle. I would like Hyundai to replace this engine without cost to me. I have own cars with 89,00…
03/25/2023 · Unknown Or Other
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 and shoes. I need a new security system for my car with aut…
01/11/2021 · Airbags
08 ACCENT GS, AIRBAG LIGHT ON WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR UNUSUAL DRIVING. ITS A SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS ISSUE SINCE MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
02/18/2020 · Airbags
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. WAS INFORMED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS IN THE AREA THAT IS A KNOWN SAFETY AND SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ISSUE WITH THE 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT HATCHBACK MODELS AND NOT SURE WAY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED.
07/18/2019 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOSHEN MOTORS (3220 ELCOTT RD, GOSHEN, IN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS F…
04/16/2019 · Unknown Or Other
SUN VISORS ARE BROKEN ,, ONE WON,T STAY UP AN LIGHT WON,T WORK,, ONE FALLS OUT OF MOUNT,, WENT TO PICK-A-PART, ALL OF THE HYUNDAI'S IN THERE ALREADY HAD THEIR SUN VISORS REMOVED ,, NOT SAFE WITH THEM FALLING DOWN AN OUT
03/25/2019 · Airbags
TAKATA RECALL: AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAR CANNOT BE INSPECTED. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. REMOVED PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS TO CHECK SENSORS/WIRES BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM
09/02/2018 · Electrical system
WHEN I GOT THE CAR FROM THE CAR LOT THE TOLD SUMBIT RECALL THAT THEU DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DO WITH A LAMP SWITCH