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Hyundai TucsonModel year report

2008 Hyundai Tucson Problems

Compared with other Hyundai Tucson years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
43filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
44,952miles, 38 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Tucson. The part named most often is brakes, with 7 complaints (16% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and engine (5). 38 of the complaints include a mileage, and 53% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,952 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 42 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 14 Hyundai Tucson model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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: Suspension (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Fuel system (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Seat belts (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Wheels (2), Equipment (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Seats (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “On 18 october 2017 brakes failed on a hill in traffic with red light ahead. 43903 miles on the car. My life was in danger as the pedal went to the floor. Somehow I controlled the vehicle and got it to stop. Diagnosed as brake line rupture. Both rear brake lines ruptured. All 5 brake lines had to be replaced. Cause was corrosion. Steering gear also had to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #11054598, filed 2017-12, 43,903 miles

Electrical system: “Owner (Hyundai Tucson 2008 gls) Hyundai customer service and representative is the worse. My vehicle has been cutting off without any warning. I've taken my car to the dealer numerous time indicating the car cut-offs without warning. In addition, I took my car to the dealer in 2009 complaining about the cut-off and not picking up speed. The dealer ourisman Hyundai (laurel) service representative indicated there is a value that allows the air flow intake for the vehicle not opening up properly. Needless to say; they have done nothing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10422557, filed 2011-08, 1,500 miles

Engine: “My elderly mother inlaw purchased a car at a buy here pay here place. Her grandson immediately noticed it was skipping when it got over 40. His grandmother took it back they said it was fine then his grandmother and others noticed the skipping. She called the dealer and they sent it to a transmission shop we are unable to get in touch with. It has been thee days and they will not tell her anything nor provide a rental car for her use. They seem to be set up to take advantage of this elderly sick lady with mental health issues.”

NHTSA complaint #11415599, filed 2021-05, 125,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “My 2008 v6 Tucson has stalled when stopped in traffic numerous times.it usually started right back up but the last time it would start but not stay running. The car also chugs when I release the gas pedal at around 45 MPH and it does not shift smoothly during regular driving. I feel that the car is unreliable and I do not feel safe taking it on long trips. I have had it in to the dealer twice as it is still under warranty. The first time they replaced the mass air sensor. This did not solve the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10430074, filed 2011-10, 30,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

53% of the 38 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,000 and 70,000 miles.

16%0–1018%10–2518%25–5026%50–7511%75–1005%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (38 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 44,952 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’096’11’13’15’17’20’23
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Tucson. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Tucson · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 17.9% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Hyundai Tucson 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
Tucson 2WD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192522$3,050
Tucson 2WD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202522$3,050
Tucson 2WD2.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350
Tucson 4WD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual192421$3,200
Tucson 4WD2.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172319$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 Tucson → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 42 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 42 bulletins →

Other model years of the Hyundai Tucson

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026641,6825528Too new to compareToo new
20252956,5006528Too new to compareToo new
20249919,0004528Too new to compareToo new
202313617,12024–52881 · MoreToo new
202238826,10034–529100 · MoreRising
20218026,972152532 · FewerRising
20201798,600152572 · MoreStable
201938521,400152694 · MoreStable
201839931,962152665 · MoreStable
20171,09526,2533527100 · MoreStable
20161,62629,7505527100 · MoreFalling
201522969,336242525 · FewerFalling
201420278,605242518 · FewerFalling
201326678,000342535 · FewerStable
201225583,000342550 · TypicalStable
201112472,1005—2549 · TypicalRising
20105945,6024—2619 · FewerStable
20091829,0001—22—Stable
20084344,9521—220 · FewerStable
20076588,0005—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200613565,0005—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200518557,0008—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Hyundai Tucson have?

NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Tucson as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Brakes is named most often, in 7 complaints (16% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2008 Hyundai Tucson 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 Tucson get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Tucson (Tucson 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 38 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,952 miles and the middle half falls between 14,000 and 70,000 miles; 53% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.