2008 Hyundai Tiburon: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Airbag light is on. Error code leads to passenger side seatbelt issue. Dealer just reset computer and light came back on. Known campaign #094 on this but doesn't apply to this VIN. Unknown if airbag will actually deploy in event of an accident. Light is on and dealer wants to charge $350 for the part alone (seat belt latch)”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“My sunroof exploded while I was driving on the highway. I am unable to attach a photo to this form for some reason but do have them and can email.... Updated 08/23/16 *bf *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2016
“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. While driving on interstate (up to 75mph), a shifting of weight in seat, or looking over shoulder for traffic while changing lanes can pull clip out of clasp.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai tiburon. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2014
“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. The failure mileage was 32,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2014
“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. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Electric · Oct 2010
“Poor clutch performance on hyundai tiburon clutch "worn out" after 25kmiles according to dealer owner is experienced standard driver. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2010
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2010
“Moisture is condensing on the inside of vehicle headlamp and tail lamp housings. This occurred within a day of taking delivery of the (brand new) vehicle. Contacted local hyundai service department and they are aware of this. They have noted this same problem on other like model/year vehicles. Hyundai district service managers are also aware of this problem but, so far, hyundai motor co. Has not addressed the issue. Not only is condensed moisture on the inside of lamp housings unsightly, I would think moisture inside the housings could cause long term headlight and taillight reliability/safety problems. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2009
“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 mechanic. The police was called to the scene and a report was filed. An estimate has not yet been generated concerning the extent of the damage. The failure and current mileages were 11,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tiburon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.