VehicleVerdict

2008 Hyundai Tiburon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

28

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Tiburon years?

Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted429 complaints1997: 60 complaints1998: 46 complaints1999: 50 complaints2000: 76 complaints2001: 69 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 429 complaints2004: 108 complaints2005: 58 complaints2006: 81 complaints2007: 49 complaints2008: 28 complaints
Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiburon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1036%
Seat Belts414%
Electrical System311%
Brakes27%
Other27%
Transmission27%
Tires & Wheels14%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Lighting14%
Seats14%
Steering14%

Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 22, 2008 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 13, 2014

“MY 2008 HYUNDAI TIBURON HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS (NONE MY FAULT). THE IMPACT WAS OF ENOUGH SIGNIFICANCE THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE FIRST COLLISION INVOLVED A DEER THAT WAS BEING CHASED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND IT HIT MY CAR SO HARD, THE DEER EXPLODED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 2, 2013 · crash

“MY 2008 HYUNDAI TIBURON HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS (NONE MY FAULT). THE IMPACT WAS OF ENOUGH SIGNIFICANCE THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE FIRST COLLISION INVOLVED A DEER THAT WAS BEING CHASED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND IT HIT MY CAR SO HARD, THE DEER EXPLODED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 2, 2013 · crash

“THE SWITCH FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT GET STUCK LIKE THE ONE ON THATGOT RECALL ON THE 2007 HYUNDAI'S OR 2008 HYUNDAI TIBURON IS NOT LIST IT ORA 2007 TIBURON. WHEN ISTHE SAME PROBLEMS THAT THE 2007 HAD THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON YOU HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES TO TURN IT OFF THEN IT WONT TURN ON AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 10, 2010

2008 Hyundai Tiburon — common questions

Is the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 Tiburon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (10 complaints), seat belts (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Tiburon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tiburon years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 1997, 1998. The cleanest record among Tiburon years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.