Makes›Hyundai›Sonata›2008

2008 Hyundai Sonata

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Hyundai Sonata
Pictured: 2024 Hyundai Sonata SEL, front right. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Gl/Gls, 4dr Sedan Limited
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 21 city / 31 hwy
Length
189 in
Curb weight
3,254–3,459 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 37% better than the average 2008 large car (18.2 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is a large car offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.3L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,254 lb (4dr Sedan Gl/Gls).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (21 city / 31 highway), 37% better than the 2008 large car average of 18.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Sonata — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Sonata →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Gl/Gls189 in72 in58.3 in107.5 in61.4 / 60.6 in3,254 lb61/39
4dr Sedan Limited189 in72 in58.3 in107.5 in61.4 / 60.6 in3,459 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonata2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25+37%$2,700355
Sonata2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 30 / 24+32%$2,800370
Sonata3.3L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 22+21%$3,050404
Spend $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.2 MPG2008 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Hyundai Sonata (this car)25 MPGNot rated2
2008 Ford Mustang20 MPGNot rated4
2008 Honda Accord25 MPGNot rated8
2008 Toyota Camry34 MPGNot rated6
2008 Chevrolet Malibu27 MPGNot rated4
2008 Volkswagen Passat24 MPGNot rated3
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer24 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (2)

Suspension › Rear · Aug 12, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V354000 · 364,502 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V113000 · 1,712,336 vehicles

Problem
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 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Hyundai Sonata is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

155Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
106,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags60
Engine32
Electrical System20
Unknown Or Other17
Service Brakes13
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)11
Seat Belts9
Visibility/Wiper8
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/03: 120/04: 220/06: 220/08: 120/09: 220/11: 120/12: 121/05: 121/10: 121/11: 122/01: 122/03: 122/05: 122/09: 122/11: 122/12: 123/09: 124/02: 124/07: 124/08: 124/11: 125/04: 125/11: 126/03: 120/0320/0820/1221/1122/0522/1224/0725/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Hyundai Sonata buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 60 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 32 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 20 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 106,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sonata years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Sonata51–Not rated00
2026 Sonata51193.3 inNot rated16
2025 Sonata47193.3 in★★★★★028
2024 Sonata47193.3 in★★★★★156
2023 Sonata52192.9 in★★★★★2103
2022 Sonata52192.9 in★★★★★3114
2021 Sonata52192.9 in★★★★★4190
2020 Sonata52192.9 in★★★★★4198
2019 Sonata42191.3 in★★★★★0172
2018 Sonata42191.3 in★★★★★2384
2017 Sonata42191.3 in★★★★★5880
2016 Sonata41191.3 in★★★★★9887

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →