2008 Hyundai Elantra: check engine light

Filed Nov 30, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

The car was being driven nomore than 1hr. It began to smoke under the hood. The ABS EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE Then the EPS lights were on. The vehicle was pulled over and stopped. Fire was then observed falling from under the car. The hood was then popped to see the engine mainly on the driver side was totally catching fire. Then it spread. The engine needle never showed over heated. The car took no more than 6 minutes to catch fire from the time it started smoking. It was very scary

Filed Dec 31, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · NY

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 engine” light in the instrument cluster. Illumination of the “engine oil pressure” warning lamp.) When this occured i had taken it to Auto Zone and had the computer scanned for error codes. (See attached report). Based on the report a tune up was done, ignition coil replaced and sensor replaced. Car would still not start. When my mechanic furthe diagnosed it (he could not find the issue until he used his scope camera)he found the issue was that there is damage to the "trigger wheel" inside the crank shaft. He also said this almost never happens in a car and does not know what could have made this happen. Please investigate this issue further, this is a dangerous situation of engine seizing and should be investigated immediately and thoroughly.

Filed May 17, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

When I am driving the vehicle all of a sudden it will jump back really fast And the check engine will go on and If I continue to drive the vehicle it seems like I'm putting pressure on the gas for it to go But then once I turn off the vehicle the check engine light will all of a sudden be gone. If I drive the vehicle again the problem won't happen right away it will be some time before it happens again all of a sudden.

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · TN

The check engine light came on when I started up the car one morning in early may; ended up getting a new gas cap. 24 hours later, check engine light comes on again when I start up the car. After smoke testing for leaks, got the purge valve replaced. 24 hours later, check engine light comes on again while I'm at a stop light. Waited couple months due to no income during pandemic. Code was the same regarding emissions issues; another smoke test revealed faulty vent canister valve. Got it replaced and drove fine for an hour. Few hours later, the light came back on once again while I'm accelerating after a turn. The mechanic that installed the vcv checked the part as well as the purge valve and noticed neither part were functioning as needed. He stated potential ecu issue or faulty fuel tank pressure sensor with the likelihood of the latter being the most likely cause. I did not okay work on either part; he did what he could and the light went off. When I came to a stop light, the check engine light came of yet again. The federal safety agency recall shows 08v429000 (and a separate 08v694000 for puerto rico) that appears to coincide with my issues as well as that of many others (based on research). My VIN does not show as being part of the recall, however. I question whether hyundai fully disclosed the full list of the potential cars affected by a faulty fuel pump motor.

Filed Mar 14, 2019 · Driver assistance · 100,000 miles · AZ

The check engine light goes on and off frequently. I was going to take it in to be checked, but it went off and stayed off for weeks. All of a sudden it's back on, every other time I start the car.

Filed Aug 8, 2018 · Transmission · 126,345 miles · CA

On august 3rd 2018 I purchase a 2008 hyundai elantra from campbell auto finance used cars and trucks in gilroy california when I was driving home on the freeway doing 65 I heard a big thumping noise in the front passenger side like it shifted out of drive and came back into drive the check engine light came on every time I drove the car it will make that noise pop out of gear and go back into drive on august 7th 2018 I was driving my car back to gilroy the car made a hard bumping noise and then the car was stuck into 3rd gear and it's still stuck in 3rd gear and it will not come out

Filed Jan 6, 2018 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · CA

Transmission slams into third gear while driving (could be on side street, could be on the highway) and can only operate in third after that until the engine is turned off. I took it to a transmission place and they said it is the computer not the mechanics of the transmission. Check engine light does come on when this happens. This has happened multiple times first being in november the most recent was yesterday on the freeway. I have serviced the transmission appropriately.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 109,600 miles · CA

Was driving at regular speed (35mph to 40mph) then my I felt a stall transmission and my car couldn't shift up or down was keeping into 3rd gear and my engine light came on!

Filed May 7, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 63,980 miles · IL

Entering a crowded parking lot in the city of chicago, I slowed down to approx. 2 MPH (almost idle speed) as I approached the ticket dispenser when all of a sudden the car accelerated over 6000 rpms and took off. As reflex, I slammed the brakes (since the ABS doesn't work without power) but the acceleration kept increasing and the brakes were not inhibiting movement so I then forced the key out of the ignition and pulled the emergency break - all within a second or two. The car stopped within inches of hitting a few other cars and people inside those cars after the forward momentum had been overcompensated by the initial brake push and emergency braking. There was a strong burnt rubber and oil smell but it wasn't from the tires. The check engine light came on after two driving cycles and has remained on. This is a very serious situation that needs attention! I am very experienced driver and knew what to do and how to do it but was still within inches of seriously hurting others and destroying property. I also suffered whiplash on my neck and hit the steering column as a result of the sudden stop. Air bags were not deployed. There are several incidents that have been reported in the past few months (march 2013 - may 2013) by drivers in several states on this same year model. I am urging the federal safety agency to look into this. I will also contact hyundai and if hyundai doesn't respond I will be contacting media outlets because hyundai owners need to be informed of this very dangerous and potentially fatal situation.

Filed Aug 8, 2009 · Engine · 9,000 miles · PA

2008 hyundai elantra se model # 44422 car is "jumping" while driving, feels like it's shifting gears while driving on highway/road. Has not stalled out while driving though. Sometimes check engine light will turn on after these episodes. I have taken car to autoland hyundai in uniontown, pa (where care was purchased) multiple times now. They first said a wire was loose, and tightened it for problem to happen again. Then they put some type of holster in to correct the problem. Car drove ok for about 1 month, but now is having problem again. Happened twice tonight while driving and check engine light is now on.

Filed Dec 3, 2008 · Engine · MD

2008 hyundai elantra is having check engine light problems. Dealer changed the vent control valve and the light came back on after a few more hours. *kb the dealer reset the engine light and 2 hours later it came back on again. The dealer informed the consumer there was a problem with the emissions systems, but yet they have failed to fully fix the problem.

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Fuel system · 770 miles · CA

Driving north on hwy 5 from bakersfield ca when the engine began to miss and loose power. I managed to pull over at avenal where I put gas in hoping it would work better. I let it rest and when I started it up, the engine light came on. I drove it a bit and called into the roadside assistance from hyundai and explained the situation to them. I said I was driving north but keeping it at 65 MPH. I was told to continue and call back if any other issues occurred. Soon after that the car began loosing power intermittently and the engine was missing. Finally, at 10 miles before rte 152 between mendota & firebaugh, the car completely died and the battery light came on. I called roadside assistance again and they called for a tow and a police officer. The tow driver arrived about an hour later and took it to the gilroy dealership. I have since been informed it was the fuel pump. This is a new car, 2008, with only 770 miles on it. I've only had it 4 days.