2008 Hyundai Veracruz

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

Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr Cuv AWD Gls/Limited
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
Length
190.6 in
Curb weight
4,429 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

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 Veracruz is a SUV - offered with a 3.8L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 191 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,429 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 5% worse than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2008

  • Lightest version 430 lb lighter

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

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Cuv AWD Gls/Limited190.6 in77.6 in71.3 in110.6 in65 / 65 in4,429 lb56/44

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
Veracruz 2WD3.8L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18-5%$3,700494
Veracruz 4WD3.8L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18+3%$3,700494
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.9 MPG2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD 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 Veracruz under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Hyundai Veracruz (this car)18 MPGNot rated4
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated5
2008 Toyota 4Runner18 MPGNot rated5
2008 Toyota Highlander26 MPGNot rated10
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee20 MPGNot rated2
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe20 MPGNot rated3
2008 Nissan Rogue24 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (4)

Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil/Lubrication › Seals/Gaskets · Nov 13, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V705000 · 60,097 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.
Risk
An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine · Jul 8, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V415000 · 61,122 vehicles

Problem
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative.
Risk
If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive power while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 121.
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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Sep 9, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V472000 · 205,233 vehicles

Problem
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
Risk
IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Fix
HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported problems

157Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
106,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine45
Engine And Engine Cooling41
Electrical System37
Service Brakes28
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)23
Air Bags14
Steering10
Unknown Or Other9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/09: 121/10: 121/11: 221/12: 222/01: 222/02: 222/03: 322/04: 222/06: 322/10: 123/03: 123/07: 123/08: 123/11: 124/02: 124/03: 224/07: 125/03: 125/08: 125/10: 125/11: 126/03: 126/04: 126/05: 121/0921/1222/0322/1023/0824/0325/0826/03max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Hyundai Veracruz buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 45 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Engine And Engine Cooling — 41 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 37 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 Veracruz. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Veracruz years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2012 Veracruz19190.6 inNot rated363
2011 Veracruz19190.6 inNot rated486
2010 Veracruz19190.6 inNot rated483
2009 Veracruz18190.6 inNot rated318
2007 Veracruz18190.6 inNot rated389

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