Model year guide

2008 Hyundai Tucson

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Hyundai Tucson is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 36 on record.

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

2008 Hyundai Tucson at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints43
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$5,998

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

2008 Hyundai Tucson 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 Tucson common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
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.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2008 Hyundai Tucson MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,980

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

What's a 2008 Hyundai Tucson worth?

Low
$3,900
Typical price
$5,998
High
$9,500

From 36 comparable 2008 Hyundai Tucson listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,900
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,300
Total$19,200
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 ($5,998) with the same model 3 model-years older ($3,404), 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 Tucson trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS · SE · Limited
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl 173 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 140 hp

2008 Hyundai Tucson vehicles on record

Other Hyundai Tucson model years

2008 Hyundai Tucson — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Hyundai Tucson have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2008 Hyundai Tucson. 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 Tucson?

Based on 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, engine, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Hyundai Tucson get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Tucson at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 2008 Hyundai Tucson worth?

Comparable 2008 Hyundai Tucson listings run roughly $3,900–$9,500, typically around $5,998 (from 36 vehicles).

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