2008 Hyundai Elantra: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Fuel system · GA

Has not yet been officially diagnosed by a dealer or independent service center, but while turning into a neighborhood at around 15-25 mph the car jerked and the engine suddenly stalled while I was still in the middle of the road. Thankfully I rolled into the neighborhood before an oncoming car made its way over, but it was close. The gas pedal no longer worked, and I had to restart the car. It only drove once more before shutting down and the engine will no longer turn over.

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Fuel system · 172,600 miles · WV

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. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with fuel pump failure. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,600.

Filed Jul 6, 2023 · Engine · 127,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while idling at a stop sign, the RPMs dropped extremely low, and the vehicle stalled. After a visual inspection, the contact observed white smoke coming from the engine compartment and a coolant leak underneath the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure became a regular issue over the next 6 months. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Later, the vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic, who also failed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 127,000.

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 Aug 22, 2014 · Steering · 100,565 miles · CA

I turned on the engine just like any other normal morning and it appeared that the wheel was stuck. I turned hard to the left and heard a cracking noise. I further turned the wheel left to merge onto the street, when I realized I had no steering. I proceeded to try and drive and the vehicle stalled and would not let me drive forward. With great effort, I was able to get it back in to park and park it on the curb. I was lucky no one was around, as the stalling and inability to steer was a scary incidence. This issue needs to be a recall as it is very risky to drive the vehicle if you can get it to turn at all ....so far it will only let me drive in reverse and make right hand turns.

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 31,800 miles · CA

The car stalled 6/21/11 at 7pm on the freeway in 10-20 mile an hour stop and go traffic. The temp outside was mild, I had been on the road for 20 min before hitting traffic, and both air conditioning and radio were on. I was in traffic approx. 10 min. I went to tap the gas pedal and nothing was there. I had to get out (on freeway) and push the car off the road and onto center divide (no call boxes). Two strangers stopped and helped me to side of road. After 5 minutes I was able to start car and drive home. The car stalled again on 7/29/11 in 10-20 MPH stop and go traffic at 5pm. The temp was mild and I had just filled the car with gas. 15 minutes later on the freeway (stop and go traffic), with air conditioner and radio on, I went to tap the gas pedal and nothing was there. Was in traffic less than 10 min. Again stuck in the middle of the freeway. This time I did not get out of the car but was attempting to call for help when chp pulled up behind me and used his car to push me off the road. I put car in neutral, chp pushed me off through entire lane of freeway traffic into center divide. The brake would not work. I had my foot to the floor but car was not stopping. The emergency brake was the only thing that kept me from rolling into siderail. While we waited for tow truck, I attempted to start car and it started. Chp escorted me off freeway and I drove home 5 min. Away.

Filed Apr 29, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai elantra. The contact stated the instrument panel lights would blink sporadically. In addition, the vehicle would become hesitant to acceleration and would sputter when driving between 35-40 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the dealer was unable to duplicate or repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 86,000. The consumer stated the engine would vibrate and it would feel as though the vehicle was going to stall. There was also a shudder coming from the vehicle. Updated 07/26/11

Filed Apr 13, 2011 · Steering · 13,064 miles · VA

The power steering failed while driving my 2008 hyundai elantra at the speed limit on a 4 lane, non divided highway in rush hour traffic. I was driving my car to work in normal morning rush hour traffic. I was about 7 miles into a normal 10 mile commute. There was no warning. While moving at the speed limit, the steering wheel locked up. My initial thought was that the car had somehow stalled. I rapidly pumped the brakes to slow down and warn other cars. It is a manual transmission, so I depressed the clutch and pressed the accelerator. I heard the engine rev, so I realized it was power steering failure, not a stall. I continued to pumped the brakes and fought with the steering to maintain control. I am old enough to have driven cars that did not have power steering, but steering in this condition was more difficult than that. I slowed the car without incident and managed to pull it into a parking lot. I realized that the parking lot was connected to a side street and was only a block away from the dealer where I purchased the vehicle, so I drove the car onto their lot. The dashboard showed one red light, 'eps". Only after stepping out of the car did I realize how shaken up I was, it was probably poor judgment to drive even that one block. I left the car for them to service. From the service write-up: upon insp tech found steering angle sensor is defective. Code c1259, & c1290 present. Tech replaced sensor & cleared code. Oper to mfr spec. The dealership did this under warranty, no charge. They also performed 2 other recalls related to airbags while the car was there. I purchased this car new from this dealer and they are the only ones to ever service it. I have no reason to fault the dealer, I appreciate their work. For the car however, this is a dangerous situation. I had no prior warning of any type that the steering was defective or would fail. It failed while the vehicle was moving. This incident could have had very dire results.

Filed Jul 29, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · OH · crash

2008 hyundai elantra. Consumer states vehicle malfunction *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle would unexpectedly stall and jerk at high speeds. It would also happen when the cruise control was set. The dealer concluded that no problem existed with the vehicle. The consumer stated the problem happened randomly and without warning. The consumer stated she had an accident during inclement weather due to the vehicle stalling.

Filed Sep 11, 2009 · Fuel system · IL

I have had the car to the dealer three times for poor performance, stalling issues and the fuel pump recall. For the last month the car is having great difficulty turning over at start. Im wondering if the fuel pump will ever be "right".

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 Aug 6, 2009 · Fuel system · 5,200 miles · MO

My 2008 hyundai elantra stalls frequently, but not reproducible, about once a week. I notice this when the vehicle is traveling around 20-25 miles/hour. Internet search indicates that others are experiencing similar problem and a faulty fuel pump may be the issue.