2008 Hyundai Sonata: won't start

5 of the 425 complaints about the 2008 Hyundai Sonata describe won't start.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 86,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2023
10
2022
3
2020
4
2019
6
2018
12
2017
8
2016
10
2015
31
2014
25
2013
65
2012
58
2011
126
2010
9
2009
7
2008
5
2007
5
2006
4
2005
2
2004
1
2003
6
2002
2
2001
1
2000
3
1997
1
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Aug 16, 2019 · Engine · 180,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Dec 3, 2017 · Electrical · 86,000 miles · OH

Car will not start. It's not battery related. I've found several complaints from sonata owners of model years 2006-08. People have come to find out that it's ignition switch related. My car was parked, it has a brand new battery in it.

Filed Jul 12, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 121,738 miles · CO

When I put my car in park turn off the car my parking lights come on cant turn them off at switch have to disconnect my battery for fear my car wont start, also at dark while im driving I switch my lights to just the running lights my windshield wipers come on. No matter if my switch is on auto or off my lights still stay on. When I turn off the car and at times I cant get my key out of the ignition I have to wiggle the shiftier, and if that dose not work then I put my seat belt back on and push the lock and unlock button on my key fob. So with all of this I cant use the alarm nor the ability to unlock my door and to have my interior lights come on at night. This needs to be fixed because of the night time security features.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Electrical · 72,000 miles · CO

Approximately 3 months ago I tried starting my car (with no previous warnings that this would happen) and it would not start, the engine would not turn over, there was no sound (although I did have power through the battery as I had lights, the lights worked, radio etc) -- I called my father and he suggested that I put the car in neutral and try starting it which it started right away at that time. Now three months later I had the same problem, turned the key and nothing -- no sound (except radio, lights etc -- new battery not that) -- I tried repeating putting it in neutral and didn't work -- I tried moving back and forth from park to neutral and tried starting the car each time to no avail. I stopped for a short time and called my father again for any additional advice which he had none at that time. When I tried starting the car again it finally started. I drove right to the dealership and they said it was probably the starter going bad and would be a minimum of $350 -- I later spoke to another mechanic who mentioned that if the starter were going bad that there would be a "clicking" noise when I tried starting the car with no start. This was not happening. It appears by blogs in the internet that this is a common problem with the 2008 sonata yet all the dealership wants to do is charge me a lot of money.

Filed Aug 28, 2012 · Electrical · 60,052 miles · AZ

Would not start, lights worked. Tow truck driver checked battery,alternator, suspected starter. Towed over 100 miles home. (contacted hyundai road service, only tows to dealer.) called dealer to check if covered under warranty. Informed it was not. Towed to local mechanic who checked charging system and found alternator and battery good, but starter was bad. Removed and installed a new hyundai starter. Re the america's best warranty 60/000-100,000: one would think that hyundai would have covered this replacement with only 52 miles over 60,000.