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
43 reports, newest first.
Seat belts, Seats, Nov 9, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CAME TO A STOP WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAINT HER PROPERLY AND THE SEAT POPPED BACKWARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS GIVEN A NECK RESTRAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 5, 2012
THE RUBBER FUEL LINE WAS ROUTED SUCH THAT IT RUBBED THE METAL CLIP SECURING THE AIR FILTER, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE REPLACEMENT FUEL LINE INSTALLED BY THE DEALER ALSO WILL REACH THIS METAL CLIP. THERE IS NO RESTRAINT ON THE FUEL LINE TO PREVENT THE RUBBING AND IT REPRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Steering, Mar 29, 2012, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON 611 NORTH WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL FORCFULLY TURNED TO THE LEFT. IT PUT ME IN THE SECOND LANE OF ONGOING TRAFFIC, WHERE I HIT THE OPPOSING CAR HEAD ON. I WAS KNOCKEDOUT FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES. I DO NOT KNOW THE OTHER DRIVER'S INJURIES. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE MINOR.
Steering, Feb 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UPON STARTING AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TURNS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
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
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2011
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. AGAIN THE VEHICLE WENT BACK IN FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CUTOFF. THEIR EXPLANATION, THE GAS TANK WAS NOT TIGHT. IN 2010 THE VEHICLE CUTOFF WITH WARNING AND NOW IS CUTTING OFF WITHOUT WARNING. TO DATE THE VEHICLE HAS CUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING MORE THAN 10 TIMES TO INCLUDE AUGUST 16, 2011 (SPEED 10 MPH), AUGUST 17, 2011 (SPEED 15 MPH), AUGUST 23, 2011 (SPEED 20 MPH) AND AUGUST 29, 2011, (SPEED 60 MPH) WITHOUT WARNING. EACH TIME, I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AS I MENTIONED TO THEM, THE VEHICLE CUT-OFFS WHEN IT WANTS TO WITHOUT WARNING. THE CUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE AUGUST 29, 2011(AT 60 MPH) 7:45AM CUT-OFF WAS FORTUNATE THE VEHICLE IN THE BACK DID NOT REAR END ME. THE VEHICLE CUTOFF, AGAIN ON AUGUST 29, 2011 AT 5:45 PM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH THE DEALER EACH TIME, HOWEVER THEY CANNOT DUPLICATION OF LOCATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WITH MAY NOT BE THE PROBLEM. THE JULY INCIDENT WAS THE FIRST TIME. THE VEHICLE IS BACK AT THE DEALER TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/08/11*LJ *TR UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
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.
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SOUND THE HORN TO AVOID A CRASH AND THE HORN DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE HORN WORKED PERFECTLY FINE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY DUE TO THE HORN MALFUNCTIONING IF A CRASH OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED IF THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED A LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, IT WAS CURRENTLY WORKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,199.
Seat belts, Dec 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD HER SECURELY; THE SEAT BELT LATCHED HER IN BUT DID NOT HOLD HER UPPER BODY CORRECTLY AND TIGHTEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,580 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,600
Electrical system, Sep 20, 2010
HORN DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. MAY STOP WORKING FOR A FEW MINUTES UP TO A FEW DAYS AND THEN IT WORKS AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT WASN'T WORKING ON MY DRIVE THERE. OF COURSE WHEN IT WAS BEING SERVICED THE HORN WORKED. THE HORN WORKED FOR ANOTHER TWO DAYS AND STOPPED WORKING AGAIN FOR ONE FULL DAY AFTER WHICH TIME IT STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUSCON. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND THE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEACTIVATE THE ESC BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL INTO THE FLOORBOARD AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 16,100.
Visibility, Mar 26, 2010
ON 3/23/2010 WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON (MILEAGE 17372 )ON A RAINY DAY, MY FRONT WIPERS STOPPED IN THE 1:00 POSITION (APPROX) RESTRICTING MY VISUAL SIGHT OF OTHER VEHICLES AND OBJECTS ON THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD THRU TOWN. I WAS TERRIFIED SINCE I COULD NOT JUST STOP THE CAR AND HAD TO DRIVE APPROX 100' WITH POOR VISIBILITY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE INCIDENT & TO GET SERVICE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD DRIVING WITH NO WIPERS AND TO GET IT IN. I EXPLAINED THAT I LIVED 50 MINUTES AWAY AND HAD TO WAIT FOR THE WEATHER TO CLEAR BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE DRIVE. ON 3/25/10 I DROVE MY TUCSON TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CHARGED 47.50 FOR THE REPAIR IF IT ENDED UP BEING A NUT, DUE TO THE WARRANTY NOT COVERING IT. I STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD & THAT I REFUSED TO PAY SUCH A CHARGE. I TOLD THE TECH THAT IF I WAS CHARGED I WOULD FOLLOW THRU WITH THE PROPER CHANNELS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SUCH CHARGE. AFTER SERVICING MY TUCSON I WAS TOLD THAT THEY FOUND THE WIPERS LOOSE AT THE MOTOR AND THEY FOUND THE NUT OFF LINKAGE. THEY REPLACED NUT, TESTED THE TUCSON AND SAID THE VEHICLE WAS DONE. THE GENTLEMEN TOLD ME THIS NUT BECOME LOOSE DUE TO SNOW/ICE BEING ON MY WINDSHIELD & TRYING TO USE THE WIPERS. HE STATED THAT THEY MANUFACTURE IT THIS WAY SO YOU DONT BLOW THE WIPER MOTOR. SO MUST BE YOU CANT DRIVE WHEN ITS SNOWING OR SLEETING OUT EITHER SINCE THIS COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO BECOME LOOSE ON THE WIPER TRANSMISSION?... THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME! IT WAS RAINING OUT. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE GOT IT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO NO CHARGE....
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 18, 2010
DRIVING IN HEAVY SNOW IN DECEMBER 2009 AND TWICE IN JANUARY 2010. I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WILL NOT STOP THE CAR WITHIN 20 TO 30 FEET OF THE CAR AHEAD. I HAVE TO DIVERT OFF ROAD TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND INCIDENTS TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS PERFORMING FINE. *TR
Suspension, Jul 16, 2009
UPON REACHING A SPEED OF 65 AND HIGHER, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO SHAKE AS THOUGH THE TIRES ARE UNBALANCED. 4 SETS OF TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED AND INSTALLED, AND THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE BALANCED SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL. TIRES FROM A DIFFERENT CAR WERE INSTALLED, TO NO AVAIL. HYUNDAI TECHNICIANS TO DATE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT. 2008 TUCSON LIMITED. NEW. *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
Visibility, Jan 10, 2009
SNOW AND RAIN ICE STORM, WARMED UP CAR SCRAPED WINDOWS WELL, GOT ON RTE 3 @ 530AM WENT FROM SLOW TO HI ON WIPERS DUE TO VISIBILITY. THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED. GOT OFF HIGHWAY AND DROVE TO WORK WITH WINDOW OPEN. CALLED DEALERSHIP. IT APPEARS THIS IS A "COMMON PROBLEM 1 OF 3 THINGS "WE TRIED FUSE THE NUT THAT HOLDS ON THE WIPER AND THEN WE CALLED SERVICE AND THEY INSTRUCTED US TO REMOVE BLADES AND COVER TO MOTOR WERE AN ARM FELL OFF DUE TO A NUT COMING OFF. STILL DID NOT WORK BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, AND WAS THEN CHARGED $60 DOLLARS BECAUSE WE ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT, SO I COULD DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS A DANGER TO DRIVE IN SUCH WEATHER AND IF IT HAPPENS AS FREQUENTLY AS THEY SAY I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE DEALER I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM SAID HE REPAIRED 4 VEHICLES THAT STORM FOR THE SAME THING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Tires, Jun 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE AS IF IT WERE ON ICE WHILE DRIVING ON DRY LAND. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SURGE FROM APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH TO 35 MPH. THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHERE THE WHEEL WOULD SLIDE, WOULD DROP AND BANG AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STRUCK. A SECOND VEHICLE THAT SHE TEST DROVE AT THE DEALER EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. ON MAY 24, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR TIRE LOCKED AND WAS DRAGGED ALONG BY THE REMAINING THREE TIRES. THE VEHICLE ALSO SURGED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,436 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 330.