Model year guide

2008 Hyundai Tiburon

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 45 on record.

2008 Hyundai Tiburon — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Hyundai Tiburon at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints19
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$4,840

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Hyundai Tiburon recalls 1

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #13V113000 · 01/04/2013

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 2…

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Hyundai Tiburon common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2008 Hyundai Tiburon safety ratings

Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon 2-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2008 Hyundai Tiburon MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,240

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon worth?

Low
$2,700
Typical price
$4,840
High
$7,300

From 44 comparable 2008 Hyundai Tiburon listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,200
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,150
Total$19,350
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,840) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,706), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Hyundai Tiburon trims & engines on record

Trims
GT · GS · SE · GK
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl 172 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 138 hp

2008 Hyundai Tiburon vehicles on record

Other Hyundai Tiburon model years

2008 Hyundai Tiburon — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon?

Based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, seat belts, power train.

What is the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon crash-test ratings of side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon worth?

Comparable 2008 Hyundai Tiburon listings run roughly $2,700–$7,300, typically around $4,840 (from 44 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.