HyundaiVeracruz2008Overview/hyundai/veracruz/2008/base/

2008 Hyundai Veracruz

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Veracruz.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2008 Hyundai Veracruz is an SUV paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-rated 16 city and 23 highway mpg for an 18 mpg combined average. Routine powertrain maintenance requires 5.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil, yet researchers should note that the engine and engine cooling systems are the focal point of the vehicle's 230 total owner complaints. As the highest-complaint year across the 2007-2012 model run—dwarfing the lowest year of 2009 with just 24 complaints—and carrying seven recalls, the 2008 model stands as the most problematic chapter in the Veracruz's reliability history.

Model year201220112010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.6 in
Overall width77.6 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight4429 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Veracruz of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2008 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Limited 3.8L V67.90 sec16.20 sec260 hpAWD
2008Limited 3.8L V68.00 sec16.30 sec260 hpAWD
2007Limited 3.8L V67.00 sec15.20 sec260 hpAWD
2007Limited 3.8L V67.70 sec16.00 sec260 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts209-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-203 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub145-203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)710 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)710 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing11 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront A/C only, 1.49-1.59; front and rear A/C, 1.93-2.03. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityFront A/C only, 4.73-5.40; front and rear A/C, 6.75-7.43 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)54.0-56.0 psi
Engine Compression156
Engine Oil Pressure18.7 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket19-28 ft-lbs / 16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle54-62 ft-lbs / 47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.410; Rear: 0.350 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1tighten bolts in sequence 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 8, 72.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 3,000 mi; coolant at 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Electronic Throttle Control System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 37,500 miFuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data places the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz at the peak of this generation’s complaint and recall activity, with 230 complaints and 7 recalls representing sharp increases from the 2007 model’s 144 complaints and 6 recalls, and far exceeding the 2009 model’s dramatic drop to 24 complaints and 4 recalls. Across the generation’s arc, 2007–2008 show elevated federal activity, followed by a steep correction in 2009 and moderate fluctuation through 2012, when complaints ranged from 64 to 106 and recalls held between 3 and 5. The 2008 model’s most frequent complaint areas were Engine & Engine Cooling (39), Engine (23), Air Bags (14), and Electrical System,Engine (13), though the data does not specify root causes; it also registered 7 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints. Because 2008 stands as the clearest statistical outlier for both complaints and recalls in this generation, it carries higher reported risk than adjacent years, making a 2009 or later Veracruz the more prudent buy if staying within this generation.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
51
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
230
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 230 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling39
Engine23
Air Bags14
Electrical System,Engine13
Electrical System13
Service Brakes11
Electrical System,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes8
Exterior Lighting8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V122000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 15/04/2009

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

20V705000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication:Seals/GasketsReported 13/11/2020

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Veracruz. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Veracruz take?

5.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Veracruz have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Veracruz get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.