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Hyundai TiburonModel year report

2008 Hyundai Tiburon Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
32,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (53% of the total), followed by seat belts (4) and brakes (2). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 60% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 34 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Airbag light continuously illuminated. I've been the only owner of this vehicle since new (8 years) and it started shortly after purchase. Have taken it to the dealership multiple times regarding airbag light and they disconnect the battery and it disappears for a while. I've never been in a crash so have no idea if this light indicates the airbags will deploy or not.”

NHTSA complaint #10896882, filed 2016-08, 30,000 miles

Seat belts: “Started noticing the issue in mid may 2016. I don't usually move my seat from the original position of comfort but driver seat has shifted inadvertently sliding forward or back without warning while driving (15 - 50mph). Along with the seat belt on occasion unbuckled while moving sometimes in conjunction with seat movement, other times alone. This has happened several times lately and I have taken more care to hear the click & tug on belt but this sometimes doesn't make a difference. …”

NHTSA complaint #10909536, filed 2016-09, 63,000 miles

Brakes: “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 all. We call part store and we order the part and it took a week to come in during the time of all this we almost got in to 8 auto crasher because people did not seethe light come on or they were on when we were driving.”

NHTSA complaint #10362069, filed 2010-10, 4,000 miles

Electronic stability control: “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 deploy. I was told the crash was equivalent to 80 MPH head on. Also, since I have owned this vehicle it continually revvs itself and no one can figure out the problem. It does it all the time and is very dangerous as I cannot stop while its revving like this. …”

NHTSA complaint #10726991, filed 2015-06, 30,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

60% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 63,000 miles.

13%0–1013%10–2533%25–5013%50–750%75–10027%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 32,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20082010420142016420202025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Hyundai Tiburon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Tiburon FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202823$2,900
Tiburon FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202722$3,050
Tiburon FWD2.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172420$3,350
Tiburon FWD2.7L 6-cyl5-speed manual172420$3,350
Tiburon FWD2.7L 6-cyl6-speed manual162419$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 34 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 34 bulletins →

Other model years of the Hyundai Tiburon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20081932,0001—20—Falling
20074239,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20066432,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20054353,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20048241,0300—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200332844,0009—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20013663,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20005869,0181—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19992689,0003—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19982677,0001—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199736103,0004—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Hyundai Tiburon model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (53% of the total), followed by seat belts with 4.

Has the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon (Tiburon, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,000 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 63,000 miles; 60% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.