Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Hyundai TucsonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 43 owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Tucson. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (5) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2013
Owner complaints
43
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V113000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

43 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2008 – Jul 2023
  1. Vehicle speed control5
  2. Engine5
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Air bags4
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Steering4
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  8. Engine and engine cooling4
  9. Suspension3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tucson model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005185
2006135
200765
200843
200918
201059
2011124
2012255
2013266
2014203
2015229
20161,626
20171,096
2018398
2019385
2020179
202180
2022389
2023136
202499
2025295
202664
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

5 reports1 crash
“In October of 2020 I was pulling into a parking space and my car accelerated and crashed into a light pole resulting in injury to both my husband and myself. He is 91 years old and shattered his upper arm. We had the vehicle fixed and checked out and was told all was fine. About June of 2021 I took the car in for a recall on the brake lights to the Hyundai dealership and told them of the first incident and asked them to check and was told that all was fine. On December 23rd 2021, the same thing happened when I was pulling into my parking space at home. When it accelerated, I had both feet on the brake and ended up hitting a wall damaging the car again. Fortunately, this time injuries were minor. There were no warning lights, messages or symptoms before these two incidents happened. I am concerned that others will be put at risk if this happens again or to anyone else with one of these vehicles. I might add that with these accidents, the airbags did not deploy. The first was a significant crash which should have deployed the airbags.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2021Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11445606

Engine

5 reports2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2021Unknown or other, EngineODI 11415599

Electrical system

5 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL KNOB FOR THE AIR BLOWER BECAME HARD TO TURN AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE CONNECTOR FOR THE BLOWER CONTROL WAS SLIGHTLY MELTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BLOWER CONTROL MODULE AND NOTICED THAT THE GROUND WIRE MELTED INSULATION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT OVERHEATING OCCURRED IN SPEED FOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2015Electrical system, VisibilityFire reportedODI 10732675
All 2008 Tucson problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tucson 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192522$2,850404
Tucson 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202522$2,850404
Tucson 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$2,950423
Tucson 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
Tucson 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
  • Tucson 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Tucson as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 2428
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Tucson questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Tucson have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Tucson problems?

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (5), engine (5), electrical system (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Hyundai Tucson get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Tucson at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026