2008 Hyundai Sonata Service and Repair Manual
The figures Hyundai published for the 2008 Sonata are tied to its exact engine and trim, and enough changed between model years that a number carried over from an adjacent year will not always match this car. What follows is the 2008 Sonata as Hyundai and the federal record describe it.
Engines covered
- 2.4L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 3.3L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
Trims covered
- GL
- GLS
- Limited
- SE
Known issues on the 2008 Sonata. Three recalls are on federal record for this model year. One covers the rear suspension, where control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment. Another covers the brake light switch, where the reported consequence is failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control. The third is an equipment recall on aftermarket combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies sold for use on various passenger vehicles, where decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash. Owners have filed 554 complaints for the year and Hyundai has issued 50 technical service bulletins. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems are here.
Whether you are tracing a stop lamp switch fault, inspecting the rear control arms, or working to spec on the 2.4L or 3.3L, the procedures are the ones Hyundai wrote for the 2008 Sonata.
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 393,308 MY 2006-2008 SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH FEATURES AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE PURPOSE OF THE OCS IS TO DISABLE THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIR BAG WHEN IT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR SMALL CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG IS DISABLED TO PREVENT INJURIES TO A CHILD THAT MAY RESULT FROM A RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG INFLATION DURING A CRASH.
MISCLASSIFICATION OF A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE OCS DOES NOT PROPERLY RECOGNIZE A PROPERLY SEATED ADULT OCCUPANT. AFTER VERIFICATION, DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY AND SHIP IT TO AN EVALUATION AND REPAIR FACILITY. THIS FACILITY WILL EVALUATE AND REPAIR OR REPROGRAM THE SEAT CUSHION AND OCS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 6
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 4,085 REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2006-2008 SONATA AND AZERA VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ALIGNED PROPERLY AND FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
HYUNDAI-KIA DEALERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR SUPPLY TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. NONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WERE SOLD AS RETAIL. AS A RESULT, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT BE ISSUED.
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivers-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These infla
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driverside airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN),
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside th
This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming
This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can becom
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside th
Effective June 2, 2008, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 (FMVSS 110) established a threshold for correcting load carrying capacity information indicated on tire placards when vehicle weight has been increased before retail sale. Th
Showing the 8 most recent of 53 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AS THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE THREE INJURIES REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE...UPDATED 08-11-14 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID AN OBJECT AND SWAYED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH, CRASHING INTO CONCRETE. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN ON ITS ROOF. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVERE BODILY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUF
I put the car in reverse while parked in a parking lot, when I put the car in reverse, the car took off at a high rate of speed striking one vehicle and continued at a high speed in reverse about 20 or 30 feet also hitting a return cart station, knocking it over and the car still proceeded to crash into a large parked pickup truck causing significant damage to the truck and also my vehicle. The brakes would not stop the car. The car finally stopped after the hard impact with the truck. My car ha
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A 30FT MOUND/RAILROAD TRACK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE, ENOUGH TO DEEM THE CAR A "TOTAL LOSS", YET NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I SUFFERED PHYSICAL INJURIES TO TOP HALF OF BY BODY BY LITERALLY SLAMMING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. HAD MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMAL INJURIES TO MY BODY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I25 IN COLORADO NEAR DENVER. THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I SAW A BUS A COUPLE OF HUNDRED YARDS AWAY. THE BUS WAS EITHER STOPPED OR GOING VERY SLOWLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND MY 2008 SONATA WOULD NOT GO OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL. I TRIED CANCELING CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKING AND CAR REMAINED IN CRUISE CONTROL. AT THE LAST MOMENT, I TRIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS I CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE BUS GOING ABOUT 55 MPH. I NEARLY DIED. I COULDN'T BREATHE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE AND CRASHED INTO A SNOW BANK WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE SNOW BANK AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED; HOWEVER, ONE DAY LATER, THE PASS
THE MORNING OF THE FLASH FREEZE ON FEBRUARY 21, 2014, MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR DUE TO SLICK ROADS. WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, IT SLID AND CRASHED HEAD ONTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE. PART OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT BROKE OFF AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. HER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HER CHEST AND MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE WAS IN A LOT OF PAIN AND IT HURT HER TO BREATHE SO WAS SENT FOR X-RAYS. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BROKEN RIBS BUT MAY HAVE HAD INT
2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, DURING AN ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN SHE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, SHE SUFFERED A BROKEN VERTEBRAE. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, IT STRUCK HER IN THE CHEST. UPDATED 03/04/10. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 1-2 MPH WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE ENGINE SURGED WITH A GREAT ROAR AND THE VEHICLE AC
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITH NO WARNING. THE FIRST OCCURRED SAT SEPTEMBER 30. I FILLED MY CAR WITH GAS AND WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ALMOST CRASH THROUGH A RESTAURANT WALL. THE SECOND WAS OCTOBER 14, WHEN I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AND WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND HIT MY FREEZER. I READ SEVERAL ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET WHER
STEERING THE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT AND A LOUD WHINING NOISE WOULD OCCUR TURNING RIGHT OR EVEN SLIGHTLY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CAUSE THAT NOISE. PARKED CAR IN ALLEY TO WAIT ON IT TO BE FIXED SOMEONE DROVE ONTO MY PROPERTY AND SWIPED MY CAR. HAVE RECALL ON CROSSMEMBER ASSEMBLY BUT IS THE FRONT COVERED ALSO?
OIL LEAKS FROM FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET DRIPS ONTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC WHILE IN MOTION
WIFE WAS TRAVELING TO WORK AT 0550 ON RT. 147, WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF CAR. SHE HIT THE DEER, WITH THE CRUISE SET FOR 65 MPH. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT FILED.WE HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI WITH OUR TERMS, BUT HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM THEM. *TR
HIT SEVERAL RURAL MAIL BOXES AND CAME TO A HALT AGAINST TWO SMALL TREES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS OVER $7000.00 OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *JS
AFTER SLOWING DOWN AROUND A CORNER AND SLOWING DOWN TO PARK, MY ENGINE SURGED AND THE CAR JUMPED A 6" CURB AND WAS STOPPED BY A LARGE BUSH. I ALSO HAD MY BRAKE DOWN. THIS OCCURRED ON THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME CAMPUS AND WAS REPORTED TO NOTRE DAME SECURITY. *TR
Showing the 15 most serious of 425 complaints filed with NHTSA.
