2008 Hyundai Tucson
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 43 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 21 Tucson model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 5 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
4 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Oct 13, 2011
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. THE SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IT IN, THEY TOLD ME THEY FOUND WIRES THAT WERE LOOSE AND THAT THEY CLEANED A GROUND. THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING ANY BETTER AND I EXPECT THE STALLING PROBLEM TO START AT ANY TIME. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE FACT THAT HYUNDAI CANNOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY OR SAFELY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING IN IDLE THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 23, 2010
ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI TUSCON, PURCHASED AT FITZGERALD'S, WHICH YOU HAVE SERVICED IN THE PAST. YESTERDAY (3/21/10) WHEN ON A SHORT ROAD TRIP I STOPPED FOR GAS. ON STARTING, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN (WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PRESSURE) TO AN IDLE RPM OF 5000 WHILE IN "PARK". IT DID THIS REPEATEDLY. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN GEAR ONLY BY SHIFTING IT RAPIDLY INTO DRIVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING, BEFORE THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. THE CAR WOULD THEN MAINTAIN A ROAD SPEED OF AROUND 60 MPH ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PRESSURE IF THE BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED. THANKFULLY, THE BRAKES WOULD SLOW THE CAR, BUT AT A STOP (WHILE IN DRIVE) THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE AT 2000 RPM REQUIRING MARKED BRAKE PRESSURE TO KEEP IT FROM ACCELERATING FORWARD. IF PLACED IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE TO AROUND 5000 RPM. IT DID THIS CONTINUOUSLY AND REPEATEDLY OVER A 6 HOUR PERIOD OF TIME. THIS AM (THE FOLLOWING MORNING) THE CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY! I AM IN SYRACUSE FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS AND WOULD PREFER TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED IN THE DC AREA, IF IT CONTINUES TO FUNCTION SATISFACTORY IN THE INTERIM. OBVIOUSLY, THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS AND RINGS OF THE TOYOTA FIASCO. I CALLED HYUNDAI MOTOR CONSUMER ASSISTANCE (800-633-5151) TO REGISTER THE CONCERN, BUT WAS PLACED ON HOLD INTERMINABLY AND NEVER GOT THROUGH. I WILL FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO THEM VIA LAND MAIL AS WELL AS TO THE NATIONAL SAFETY TRANSPORTATION BOARD. PLEASE REGISTER THIS CONCERN IN YOUR RECORDS. I PLAN TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE WHEN I RETURN TO MARYLAND. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 9, 2009, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON MARCH 6, 2009, THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING. SHE REACHED HER RESIDENCE AND OBSERVED STEAM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT THE VEHICLE BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 382. 4/01/09 *NJ THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE INSULATION AND THE COVER OVER THE INSULATION ALONG THE FIREWALL BEHIND THE ENGINE BURNING AND SMOKING. THERE WAS NO FLAME JUST A RED GLOW ALONG THE BURNING EDGE OF THE MATERIAL/INSULATION AND A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SMOKE. UPDATED 04/09/09. *JB