2008 Hyundai Accent
The Verdict
The 2008 Hyundai Accent has 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (39 complaints) and electrical (38 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 73/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Hyundai Accent, consider the 2020 model year which has 88% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2020 has 88% fewer complaints
View the 2020 Hyundai Accent dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Get notified if a recall hits this car.
We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2008 Hyundai Accent. No spam, no marketing.
Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 32 | 5 | 15 | 14 | 27 |
| 2001 | 50 | 6 | 29 | 18 | 23 |
| 2002 | 45 | 10 | 21 | 39 | 25 |
| 2003 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| 2004 | 11 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 5 |
| 2005 | 10 | 5 | 18 | 4 | 12 |
| 2006 | 13 | 3 | 24 | 2 | 1 |
| 2007 | 22 | 5 | 53 | 8 | 0 |
| 2008 | 39 | 12 | 38 | 10 | 2 |
| 2009 | 38 | 11 | 34 | 12 | 6 |
| 2010 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 14 | 1 |
| 2011 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 0 |
| 2012 | 51 | 27 | 28 | 44 | 1 |
| 2013 | 34 | 37 | 24 | 36 | 6 |
| 2014 | 21 | 22 | 14 | 19 | 1 |
| 2015 | 8 | 9 | 29 | 21 | 2 |
| 2016 | 15 | 7 | 43 | 33 | 1 |
| 2017 | 9 | 5 | 25 | 23 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2021 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2022 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
I have a 2008 Hyundai Accent. It only has 55,000 miles. However, the engine is failing. After doing reading, it is obvious that this vehicle has manufacturer engine defects. I am 81 years old. What do I do now. I did not want to purchase another vehicle. I would like Hyundai to replace this engine without cost to me. I have own cars with 89,000 miles that did not have engine defects.
my car has been broken into twice in the past three months, with personal items being stolen each time: a child car seat, a child booster seat, an emergency inhaler medication for asthma, multiple charging cords, a bluetooth adapter system, and a workbag which contained medical equipment and scrubs and shoes. I need a new security system for my car with automatic locks.
08 ACCENT GS, AIRBAG LIGHT ON WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR UNUSUAL DRIVING. ITS A SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS ISSUE SINCE MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. WAS INFORMED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS IN THE AREA THAT IS A KNOWN SAFETY AND SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ISSUE WITH THE 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT HATCHBACK MODELS AND NOT SURE WAY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOSHEN MOTORS (3220 ELCOTT RD, GOSHEN, IN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
SUN VISORS ARE BROKEN ,, ONE WON,T STAY UP AN LIGHT WON,T WORK,, ONE FALLS OUT OF MOUNT,, WENT TO PICK-A-PART, ALL OF THE HYUNDAI'S IN THERE ALREADY HAD THEIR SUN VISORS REMOVED ,, NOT SAFE WITH THEM FALLING DOWN AN OUT
TAKATA RECALL: AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAR CANNOT BE INSPECTED. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. REMOVED PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS TO CHECK SENSORS/WIRES BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM
WHEN I GOT THE CAR FROM THE CAR LOT THE TOLD SUMBIT RECALL THAT THEU DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DO WITH A LAMP SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY CAME DOWN AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED LOWER BACK AND NECK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (JIM HUDSON HYUNDAI, 310 GREYSTONE BLVD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210) WERE CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TT *TR
DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR ASSEMBLY DESIGN ALLOWS IT TO FALL DOWN AND FLAP THEREBY CAUSING MYSELF THE DRIVER AND OWNER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!! I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A U.S. INTERSTATE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR WAS ATTACHED BY A THIN WIRE THAT CAUSED IT TO SLIGHTLY DETACH FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUN VISOR OBSTRUCTED THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TO BOTH FRONT SUN VISORS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI OF AUBURN (823 OPELIKA RD, AUBURN, AL 36830; 334-321-0777) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHANISM THAT HELD THE SUN VISORS IN PLACE AND THE SUN VISORS THEMSELVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VISORS WERE DUE TO BE REPAIRED. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VISORS WERE REPAIRED. *JS
THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST UNDERBODY, AND THE FUEL TANK STRAPS ARE RUSTED ALONG WITH JUST ABOUT THE WHOLE FRAME. THE BRAKES ARE NOW SQUEALING AND RUBBING AFTER AN ALLEGED UNDERBODY RUST TREATMENT, WHICH SPRAYED OVER THE OLD RUST! HYUNDAI HAS OFFERED A "WAX TREATMENT" WHICH IS BASICALLY WAXING MY RUST. THE FUEL STRAPS SEEM TO ME TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, AS WELL AS THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT ALWAYS FASTEN AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUES, STATING THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, YET THEY ADMIT THE ORIGINAL FRAME COATING WAS TOO THIN.
IN NOVEMBER 2016 THE EXHAUST PIPE FROM THE FRONT AXLE TO THE MUFFLER FELL OFF DUE TO BRACKETS RUSTING. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED FROM HYUNDAI ABOUT RUSTING TO THE CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION. REPAIR WORK WAS DONE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. HYUNDAI SPRAYED THE UNDERSIDE FOR RUST-PROOFING, THEN DENIED A REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. IN APRIL 2017 THE ROCKER ARMS AND ROTORS HAD RUSTED, AND REQUIRED FULL BRAKING SYSTEM AND ROCKER ARM REPLACEMENT. IN JUNE 2017 THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS. AN ATTEMPT TO FILE A SECOND CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT CANNOT BE PROCESSED THROUGH HYUNDAI'S WEBSITE, CITING THE VIN NUMBER AND LAST NAME MATCHING THE ORIGINAL REQUEST THAT WAS DENIED WITHOUT EXPLANATION.
CPSC:A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE NOTICE, THE EXHAUST PIPE (FROM THE FRONT AXLE TO THE MUFFLER) FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *BF
CPSC:A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE NOTICE, THE EXHAUST PIPE (FROM THE FRONT AXLE TO THE MUFFLER) FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE, BUT THE REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM WAS DENIED WITHOUT EXPLANATION. ALSO, THE FRONT ROCKER ARMS REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT DUE TO RUSTING, IN ADDITION TO THE ROTORS AND BREAKING SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUSTING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SERVICE COMPLETED BY THE DEALER WAS EITHER SPRAYED FOR RUST PROOFING OR, WAS INEFFECTIVE. UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE. WE TOOK OUR CAR TO OUR HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT WE NEEDED A NEW AIRBAG INSTALLED AND IT WOULD COULD AROUND $1000 FOR THE PART. THEY ORDERED IT AND WE HAVE TO SCEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO PUT IT ON. WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AND $1000 OR MORE IS A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE. WE WERE WONDERING IF THERE IS OR COULD POSSIBLY BE A RECALL FOR THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM. LOOKING ON LINE AT THE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 HYUNDAI ACCENT WE WERE WONDERING WHY YOU HAVE NOT RESOLVED THIS COMPLAINT WITH A RECALL. THANKS FOR YOU TIME.
AT APPROXIMATELY 67,000. MI THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HAD AN AUTO PARTS STORE SCAN THE CODE AND SAID IT WAS PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, AT THE TIME I USED THE CAR FOR COMMUTING TO WORK AND NEVER HAD PASSENGERS. NOW RETIRED AND CANNOT HAVE A PASSENGER FOR FEAR THAT BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT COULD BE DEADLY FOR THE OCCUPANT OF THAT SEAT, WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, ( I'M SECOND OWNER ) AND THE SEAT ALONE WOULD COST AT LEAST $900. PLUS INSTALLATION WOULD BE ABOUT $1200. OR MORE ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THAT, CANNOT SELL THE CAR IT LOWERS THE RESALE, AND WHO WOULD WANT IT. GUESS I'M STUCK
CRITICAL: DRIVERS SUNVISOR UNEXPECTEDLY FELL OUT OF IT'S MOUNTING WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON A VERY NARROW 2-LANE BRIDGE. DARNED NEAR GOT ME KILLED!!!. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD AND A VERY POOR & DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. REPLACEMENT UNITS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND EQUALLY FLAWED. YES, MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION @ ABOUT 45 MPH AND HAD I NOT HAD QUICK REFLEXES, I COULD HAVE EITHER SLAMMED INTO THE BRIDGE RAIL OR HEAD -ON WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. PLEASE GET THIS CORRECTED BECAUSE IT IS A WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM BY MANY HYUNDAI VEHICLE OWNERS IN ADDITION TO OTHER YEARS & MODELS. THANK YOU *TR
AT END OF MAY 2016, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK MY 2008 ACCENT TO THE DEALER ON 6/2/16 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OCS MAT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400 TO $1600. IF I DO NOT REPLACE IT, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE AIRBAG SENSOR SYSTEM IS DISABLED. THIS 2008 ACCENT SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
TAKATA RECALL.AIR BAG LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME.
101 total