2008 Elantra should be added to the crankshaft Theta II recall. 2098 Elantra has the 2.0L engine unlike its prior years where they are made with a 1.6L engine. Last week my 2008 Elantra exhibited all the signs of this malfunction (A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. Illumination of the “check eng…
2008 Hyundai Elantra powertrain problems
severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL AWAY WHEN PLACED IN PARK (WHILE STATIONARY) IF ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON ANY SLIGHT INCLINE OR DECLINE. A RATCHETING SOUND IS HEARD COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THIS OCCURS AS THE VEHICLE IS ROLLING OUT OF CONTROL. SOMETIMES IT STARTS TO ROLL AFTER YOU HAVE EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME CONCERN SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WI…
WHILE CITY DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR ENGINE RPMS DROP TO AROUND 1000 RPMS OR LESS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME SLUGGISH AND TO VIBRATE. THE ONLY WAY TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM IS TO FORCE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR BY MASHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS KIND OF ACTION COULD FORCE AN UNNECESSARY REAR END COLLISION WITH FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYM…
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON THE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN DRIVING ON THE EXIT RAMP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE CAR ACCELERATED TO A SPEED OF 85MPH. I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT SLOWED TO 20MPH. AT THAT POINT I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. THE CAR WAS SMOKING AND I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO HYUN…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.