Vehicle Data Hub

2008 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 50 complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, 9% of the complaints on file.

At a glance

Complaints
50 9% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
111,000 miles 48 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 5
Injuries and deaths
1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2008 Hyundai Sonata Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 111,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 3 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 3 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 4 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 3 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 5 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 13 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 8 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 5 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 1 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 111,000 miles
Based on 48 complaints that include mileage. 21% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles3
20k to 40k miles3
40k to 60k miles4
60k to 80k miles3
80k to 100k miles5
100k to 120k miles13
120k to 140k miles8
140k to 160k miles5
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles1
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 48 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 110,000 miles, and 21% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 5 fires, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

Driving approximately 50 MPH when I heard pop. Smoke came from under hood. Pulled over. Popped hood. Smoke coming from engine. Checked dipstick and no oil. Never had oil leak. No oil light ever came on. No check engine light. No overheat or hot engine light. Just a small fire underneath the engine on ground. Bought oil that just leaked immediately after putting in. No warning. No signals. No alerts. Blown engine. They want $5300 for a used engine.

Reported at 123,000 miles, April 2014 Fire

I was driving my car and, according to my mechanic, the crank rod came loose. I bought this vehicle used so the hyundai 100,000 mile warranty will not cover it. I have done routine oil changes and up to this point had no real problem with the vehicle. It is disappointing to say the least as I have had this vehicle for about four years and purchased it based on the idea that hyundai's are supposed to be reliable vehicles.

Reported at 106,000 miles, June 2013

Other problems reported for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Hyundai models