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2008 Hyundai Tiburon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

19 reports
30,000 miles · Jun 23, 2015
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or OtherCrash

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 …

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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. I HAVE TO THROW IT IN NEUTRAL, HIT THE GAS, THEN IT WILL STOP REVVING. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS (AND VERY ANNOYING) IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WILL RANDOMLY SHUT ITSELF OFF AND QUITE FREQUENTLY. I DID NOT BUY THIS AS A USED CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10726991

32,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10632242

36,790 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Tires

ON 5/19/13 I PURCHASED 4 NEW GOOD YEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX TIRES. AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON THE TIRES MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON 3 TIMES, &WHEN I CHECKED THEM, ALL 4 HAD GONE LOW (BY 5-7LBS OF PRESSURE EACH TIME) . AFTER THE 3RD TIME OF THIS HAPPENING, IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, I DECIDED TO SEARCH ONLI…

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ON 5/19/13 I PURCHASED 4 NEW GOOD YEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX TIRES. AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON THE TIRES MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON 3 TIMES, &WHEN I CHECKED THEM, ALL 4 HAD GONE LOW (BY 5-7LBS OF PRESSURE EACH TIME) . AFTER THE 3RD TIME OF THIS HAPPENING, IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, I DECIDED TO SEARCH ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIES. THE RESULTS WERE SCARY; I FOUND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF BLOGS & REVIEWS STATING THESE TIRES WERE SLOWLY LOOSING AIR, BUBBLING &/OR BURSTING. MOST STATED CRACKS WERE FOUND ON THE SIDEWALL INSIDE THE TIRE, CAUSING PRESSURE TO GO LOW. AFTER SEEING THESE RESULTS, I WENT OUTSIDE AND INSPECTED MY TIRES MORE CLOSELY, AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HAD A SMALL BUBBLE IN IT. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT BACK TO GOOD YEAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BUBBLE WAS A ROAD HAZARD ISSUE CAUSE BY HITTING A POT HOLE (AND THIS WAS BEFORE ANYONE EVEN TOOK THE TIRE OFF TO INSPECT IT). I ASKED WHY ALL 4 TIRES HAVE BEEN SLOWLY LOOSING AIR, AND THEIR REPLY WAS "THAT IS ODD, THAT DOESN'T USUALLY HAPPEN LIKE THAT." BASED ON MY FINDINGS FROM THE INTERNET, I ASKED THEM TO INSPECT THE INTERNAL SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES, JUST TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO CRACKS THAT COULD BE CAUSING THE SLOW AIR LEAKS. I OPENED A FILE WITH GY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ASKED THE STORE TO INSPECT THE INSIDE OF ALL 4 TIRES, AND TO SEND THEM AN INSPECTION REPORT, BUT ALL THE TECH DID WAS SPRAY THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE TO CHECK FOR AIR BUBBLES/LEAKS (BUT DID NOT REMOVE THE TIRES TO CHECK THE INSIDE WALLS). THE TIRE WITH THE BUBBLE WAS REPLACED, BUT I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO KEEP THE TIRE TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THE MANUFACTURER WOULD INSPECT IT, BUT THAT WILL TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS. I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THE NUMBER OF REVIEWS/BLOGS ONLINE WITH THE SAME/SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES, SO I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO DOCUMENT MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM. I'VE HAD MY CAR SINCE 2008 AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY OLD TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551037

4,000 miles · Oct 23, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

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 O…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10362069

25,000 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Power Train

POOR CLUTCH PERFORMANCE ON HYUNDAI TIBURON CLUTCH "WORN OUT" AFTER 25KMILES ACCORDING TO DEALER OWNER IS EXPERIENCED STANDARD DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358535

13,500 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I WANT TO REPORT THIS HYUNDAI DEALER(S): ALLEN SAMUELS HYUNDAI 7724 N.E. LOOP 820 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 (817) 276-7700 LOCATION WHERE I PURCHASE MY CAR AND TRIED TO HAVE WARRANTY SERVICE ON 08/14/10. THEY REFUSED WARRANTY SERVICE TO REPLACE A CATALYST AND AN O2SENSOR THAT CAUSED ME TO NOT PASS A ST…

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I WANT TO REPORT THIS HYUNDAI DEALER(S): ALLEN SAMUELS HYUNDAI 7724 N.E. LOOP 820 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 (817) 276-7700 LOCATION WHERE I PURCHASE MY CAR AND TRIED TO HAVE WARRANTY SERVICE ON 08/14/10. THEY REFUSED WARRANTY SERVICE TO REPLACE A CATALYST AND AN O2SENSOR THAT CAUSED ME TO NOT PASS A STATE INSPECTION .I ALREADY PAID FOR AT A LICENSED KWIK KAR LOCATION IN DENTON TEXAS. THE CAR FLUNKED THE STATE INSPECTION THAT I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO REFUND MY MONEY AND SAY I NEED REPAIR. MY CAR HAS 14000 MILES ON IT NOW. I HAVE RAN OVER 500 MILES ON MY CAR ON THE ADVISE OF [XXX], SERVICE MANAGER AT THE EKERT HYUNDAI IN DENTON WHERE I TOOK MY CAR ON WEDNESDAY. THEN, TODAY I WENT TO THE DEALER AND TALKED TO WITH [XXX] AND A WOMAN THERE AT ALLEN SAMUELS IN PERSON READY TO GET CAR FIXED. HE TOLD ME SAME THING THAT THE OTHER TOLD ME ABOUT RUNNING THE MILES ON IT. ALSO, HE SAID THAT HE HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER HYUNDAI THERE IS NO FIX ON THIS ISSUE. I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD CAR THAT NEEDS WARRANTY WORK AND IS NOT PASSING TEXAS INSPECTION AND A HYUNDAI DEALERS SAY THAT THERE IS NO FIX. THEY WANT TO CHARGE 100.00 OR MORE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO SEE IF IT WILL FIX. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE. WHAT ABOUT THE WARRANTY HE SAID TO DRIVE UP TO 1000 MILES AND IF THE O2 SENSOR WAS NOT FAILED HE AND YOUR COMPANY HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO REPAIR. I AM QUESTIONING THE WARRANTY ON MY CAR AND THE FACT THAT I HAVE BEEN DENIED A STATE INSPECTION STICKER AND CANNOT GET IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADDRESS IS HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA P.O. BOX 20850 FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92728-0850 (800) 633-5151. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349447

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2010
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SEATBELT. THE SEATBELT WILL NOT STAY IN THE RED CLASP OF MY 2008 TIBURON, HYUNDAI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347936

28 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Exterior Lighting

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 A…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10265588

11,000 miles · Aug 25, 2008
Air BagsCrash

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 CAL…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10239670

Official recalls

1

13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.