2008 Hyundai Veracruz problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, most often about engine. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
82
Recalls
4
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Median mileage
129,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 66 of 82 complaints (80%).
  • Electrical System (16) and brakes (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 129,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries.
  • The 2008 Hyundai Veracruz has 4 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 6 Hyundai Veracruz model years we track.
  • That is 74% more complaints than the 2007 model year (47).

2008 Hyundai Veracruz problems by category

  • Engine
    66 complaints
  • Electrical System
    16 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    7 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine and engine cooling41
Engine26
Electrical system12
Unknown or other7
Air bags4
Steering3
Electronic stability control (esc)2
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator2

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k110k–30k30k–60k860k–100k15100k–150k16150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2008 Hyundai Veracruz complaints that list mileage.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz recalls (4)

  • Recall 20V705000Nov 13, 202060,097 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SEALS/GASKETS

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 14V415000Jul 8, 201461,122 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 13V113000Apr 1, 20131,712,336 vehicles
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 11V472000Sep 9, 2011205,233 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • PE09003Opened Jan 14, 2009Closed Apr 24, 2009led to recall 09V122000

    Stop lamp switch failure

    By letter dated april 15, 2009, hyundai notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (nhtsa recall number 09v122) to replace the stop lamp switches on many of its model year 2005-2008 vehicles.see recall 09v122 for a complete list. The agency opened its investigation based on five complaints of stop lamp failure across several 2007 hyundai models. The agency also received early warning (ewr) reports on this issue.most of those failures were traced to the improper operation of the stop lamp switch that controls stop lamp illumination.a malfunctioning stop lamp switch can cause the v…

Recent 2008 Hyundai Veracruz complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed May 14, 2026202,427 miGAEngine
    The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The vehicle The contact stated that while driving, The approximate failure mileage was 202,427. The oil light illuminated, looked and there was no oil. The vehicle knocked. the vehicle stalled.
    NHTSA complaint #11737821 · source
  2. Filed Apr 28, 2026200,000 miTXEngine
    The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil, and over time, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle, with a significant amount of oil leaking from the vehicle, resulting in engine damage. The vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was first taken to an independent mechanic, where the oil leak was discovered; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer, where the oil leak and…
    NHTSA complaint #11734317 · source
  3. Filed Mar 20, 2026175,044 miVATowedEngine
    The contact's mother owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while at a stoplight. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V415000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted online…
    NHTSA complaint #11725900 · source
  4. Filed Nov 10, 2025FLEngineOther / Unknown
    Radiator needs fluid and the liquid would go to the engine. The head gasket is blown. Repaired multiple times still giving the same issue. Oil is leaking.
    NHTSA complaint #11698518 · source
  5. Filed Oct 23, 2025120,000 miNJEngine
    The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered there was oil leaking from the valve cover gasket. The mechanic performed an unknown repair, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000…
    NHTSA complaint #11695184 · source
  6. Filed Aug 6, 2025NYElectrical SystemEngine
    This is referring to NHTSA recall 20V705000 a/k/a Hyundai TSB: 21-01047H-2 whereas my 2008 Hyundai Veracruz was brought into a Hyundai dealership regarding the above mentioned safety recall. Dealer refused to remedy the recall without first purchasing an otherwise irrelevant part to the remedy. The TSB clearly states all parts and labor necessary to honoring the safety recall would be granted to the consumer. This refusal to honor a recall poses a safety hazard as this…
    NHTSA complaint #11678878 · source
  7. Filed Mar 22, 2025GAElectrical SystemEngine
    Bought my Veracruz in 2018. After not even a year I started experiencing problems with the charging system. Car would die overnight. Replaced a battery with the new one 3 weeks later same thing happened. Changed many sensors checked the fuses looked for parasitic draw... battery cables. Removed the alternator had it checked at advance auto it was surprisingly good. It was covered with oil leaking out of valve cover.. replaced the valve cover seal but the problem still…
    NHTSA complaint #11649873 · source
  8. Filed Jul 2, 2024170,000 miVABrakesElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes seized in the middle of the highway. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife and a nearby driver were able to guide the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact's wife raised the hood, and the contact became aware that smoke was coming from the ABS module accompanied by electrical…
    NHTSA complaint #11598240 · source

Compare the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz with another vehicle →

Other 2008 Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology