2008 Hyundai Tiburon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Hyundai Tiburon has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of the four model years with data, and carries a Good verdict, though that verdict is capped because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete. NHTSA lists 19 complaints and 1 recall for this year, with airbags the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #4 of 4 Tiburon years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 Hyundai Tiburon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags10 (53%)
- Brakes4 (21%)
- Seat Belts4 (21%)
- Electrical System2 (11%)
- Other2 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (11%)
- Steering1 (5%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed and high-speed collisions, including one crash described as equivalent to an 80 mph head-on impact.
- Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently without a diagnosed cause, sometimes tied to a failed airbag control module.
- Driver's seatbelt does not stay latched in its clasp.
- Moisture condenses inside headlamp and taillamp housings shortly after delivery.
- Clutch wears out at 25,000 miles according to dealer diagnosis.
- Brake light switch sticks, requiring the brake pedal to be pumped to turn the light off.
2008 Hyundai Tiburon recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System1,712,336 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.
2008 Hyundai Tiburon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Tiburon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon reliable based on complaints?
- NHTSA lists only 19 complaints for the 2008 Tiburon, giving it a complaint index of 0 and the lowest rank-worst-first position (4th) among the four model years with data.
- What is the top problem area for the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 10 of 19 complaints (53%) and 2 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 32,000.
- Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 13V113000) covers a stop lamp switch issue in the Electrical System; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Why is the 2008 Tiburon capped at a Good verdict instead of Best?
- NHTSA data for model years 2005-2009 is considered less complete, so Hyundai Tiburon years in that range are capped at Good regardless of complaint index.
- How does the 2008 Tiburon compare to other Tiburon years?
- 2008 has a complaint index of 0, better than 2005 (33, Good), 2006 (67, Caution), and 2007 (100, Avoid).