Bought in 2023 @ 98k miles. Have had trouble with 1.it would only start in drive, then that seems to have self corrected. 2. In drive, car would not accelerate properly, and would slow as though I was braking, but no foot on brake. Had rear brake sensor replaced, seemed better for a while. 3. Developed oil leak at 120 miles which valvoline characterized as "not serious...just keep checking it and topping it off." So, have been doing that. Today after oil change, it began running rough, lots of vibration, then the shifting problem, sluggishness, and new..smoke from under hood on driver's side. No check engine lights at all. Nothing registered as hot or overheating. Turned off car, checked oil and trans fluid, both in proper range for warm engine. Let car sit and cool for an hour. Decided I had parked too close to the propane tanks for a smoking car, so I decided to start car just to back it into a space across the lot. Car had no issues- No smoke, no jerking or vibration, no sluggishness, no phantom braking. This car has done this same thing about once every 6 months since I've had it. Changed a tire sensor, that seemed to fix it once. Stopped using cruise control altogether, that seemed to help once. My brother is an ASE certified high school auto mechanics teacher who ran his own shop for 20 years and worked on trucks for VDOT for another 7 years and he cannot diagnose it. I know it has something to do with not being in the correct gear, but it's not reliable, and I have a hard time believing it's just my vehicle.
2008 Hyundai Sonata engine problems
49 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 113,000.
- owner complaints
- 49
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 113,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Sonata engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Check engine light 19Knocking 19Engine failure 11Stalling 10Overheating 6Loss of power 5Won't start 5
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Loss of Motive Power
the federal safety agency received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to the federal safety agency which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. Â There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in the federal safety agency's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agencyâs reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to the federal safety agency cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
DP22003
What 2008 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My ervin ceased up on the highway at 60 MPH. It thru an engin rod.the engin oil made it impossible to see anything. Now after just buying this car used, there are no engines available for replacement. Too many have blown up. And hyundai says they are not being recalled. Same engin as the failures with the fatalities.I am stuck.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai sonata. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle overheated with the low oil level warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 236,000.
Was heading to work on interstate 81, engine made loud boom sound scared me pulled over being afraid to drive had it towed to an auto repair shop. No engine light on. Repair done a diagnostic test said engine was blown, oll good no engine light but engine wouldn't turn over trying to do manually. My car only had 180,000 miles always did belts and maintenance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai sonata. The contact took the vehicle to crown hyundai (5301 34th st n, st. Petersburg, fl 33714, (888) 727-9161) regarding the rear back-up sensors and an unknown the federal safety agency recall related to the engine control module (ECM) cluster. When the dealer attempted to update the ECM cluster, they disabled the vehicle. The dealer kept the vehicle for twelve days, but did not provide a remedy. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a loaner vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 3,000.
Car made a popping noise going down the highway then lost acceleration. The car then burst into flames.
2008 hyundai sonata 6cyl dohc 3.3l / 152812 water pump went out. Replaced it. Then water ended up in the oil that got into the lifters. Ended up getting another motor. Then my A/C stopped working (didn't blow cool or cold air). Changed oil and oil filter myself along with the oil sensor ( connected to oil filter spot) that was leaking bad as long as the car was running.I was driving on the interstate, in front of a loaded 18 wheeler, driving 75 then my car jerked real hard then dropped down to 40. I had to pull over illegally to keep from getting hit by the truck. As I was catching my breath I turned the car off. When I started it back up it made a weird tick noise. Haven't heard that noise since. When I pulled off it hesitated to change gears from 2 to 3. It finally changed and did not come out of 3rd. Got it towed home. Had my moms boyfriend to check the transmission. He drove it and it was fine. Next morning started car and it sounded like a vacuum cleaner. (low volume) finally it went away. When I headed to work, it hesitated at first. The vacuum noise came back and was louder. Then I sped up to 50, it hard jerked again, and stayed in 3rd gear. As I went further loss power in inside lane of highway and car was smoking under the hood. Like it didn't know I was pushing the gas pedal. Started shaking at around 20 miles an hour. Pulled over and check engine light came on. Called a friend to pull me back home. It was reversing fine but would not go forward. So I changed the accelerator pedal sensor (whole pedal) that wasn't the problem. So then I changed the entire fuel pump/ injector. Still have all parts by the way. That wasn't the problem either. Put it on the machine and it gave a code for ECM and oxygen sensor. Esc light came on as well as TPMS, when I started the car. I could move forward but it was like I wasn't. This all started in february 2019
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai sonata. While driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal tapping noise and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to coconut creek hyundai (4960 n. State road 7, coconut creek, fl 33073, (954) 283-1002), but was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the engine failed three times previously and was replaced under warranty. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 35,000.
I purchased this vehicle from a small car dealership, when purchased the vehicle had a pretty high mileage however when test drived no service lights came on and the car ran smoothly. After four months of owning the car with only around 2k miles added to it, while I was driving down the freeway a knocking noise suddenly became apparent and the check engine light came on, I pulled over as soon as possible since there was visible smoke coming out of the hood of the vehicle.
The engine out of nowhere began to knock (engine knock) and nobody from any point of management will help me out with this problem, even though it their engine and they will not take responsibilty for it, not help or anything was provided, the vehicle had began knocking after I had started it up one day and began driving it, I noticed the warmer the engine got, the louder it got, I took it to 2 different dealers and one of them being a hyundai dealership and one being a kia, both said the same thing
Questions about the 2008 Hyundai Sonata engine
Does the 2008 Hyundai Sonata have engine problems?
Owners have filed 49 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Sonata engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 113,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad engine?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (1,012 complaints), 2013 (778 complaints) and 2015 (650 complaints).
Other 2008 Hyundai Sonata problems
Airbags 137Visibility 96Brakes 55Driver assistance 32Electrical 32Lights 20Seat belts 19Body 15Acceleration 14Transmission 14Suspension 9Seats 8Tires 8Fuel system 6Steering 6Locks 4Wheels 1
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