2008 Hyundai Tucson Owner Complaints

#1. The airbag light comes on saying the passenger airbag is not connected (something like that). #2. Braking lights did stop working and stayed on while the car was turned off. I never received any recall notice of this and we fixed it ourselves. #3. And most important and dangerous! The back driver's side wheel froze up and started to catch on fire. We had the Caliper, and several other surrounding parts changed and the master cylinder when it almost caught fire again. A mechanic could not figure it out. I did a lot of research and discovered the problems with the ABS, which I strongly believe this is the problem. I cannot drive it at all. The emergency brake is like mush and does not work at all. I have now read of these cars catching fire from the ABS and people have died! My car is a 2008 and not the year of the car that has been recalled. But my 2008 is doing the same thing. My special needs son and I could have been killed! Flaming red inside the tire area. We threw bottles of water on it so it wouldn't catch on fire and catch all the other cars and buildings on fire. Please help! Also, the ECS light comes on for no reason. I'm afraid of this car and I'm afraid to sell it to someone who may be killed by it. We thought we fixed this problem in 2020 but it started catching on fire again in 2022 and had not been driven since Aug. 2022 since the last fire flames and stinky smoke that comes out from the back tire area.

NHTSA ID

11533635

Incident

Aug 20, 2022

I took the car to my mechanic to get brake pads because car was pulling to the left upon braking and he informed me the ABS module was bad and was not distributing brake fluid to the right front wheel. I called Customer Care Center for Hyundai and they informed me Tuscan models are not included in the ABS module recall event. Yet the information printed on all hyundai ABS recalls threaten a possible fire safety concern. I want to file a complaint because the ABS brake systems are all the same on all hyundai models. Please address my safety issue asap.

NHTSA ID

11529839

Incident

Jun 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that a section of the rear sub frame was extremely corroded. The contact believed that a welding failure might have caused the severe corrosion on the subframe. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that he had approximately a year before the suspension would fail and the render the vehicle undrivable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

NHTSA ID

11525036

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

Mileage

134,000 mi

The driver side door will not unlock. It will not unlock with the key fob. It will not unlock with the key. It will not unlock manually. The locking piece that should flip back and forth (from lock to unlock) is stuck in the locked position. This should be safety issue as you cannot operate the driver side door. You cannot enter or exit the vehicle from the driver side.

NHTSA ID

11506674

Incident

Feb 9, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11445606

Incident

Oct 11, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11415599

Incident

May 5, 2021

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT THE VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS WOBBLING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,000.

NHTSA ID

11413283

Incident

Jan 11, 2021

Mileage

168,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY ALERTED HER TO AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEN NOTICED ORANGE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER NECK BECAME HOT FROM THE INTENSE FLAMES HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO INJURY SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT QUICKLY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND RAN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF PRIOR TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVING AT THE SCENE. A STATE TROOPER ARRIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED BUT WAS TRADED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

NHTSA ID

11366642

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

Mileage

188,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON THE FLATBED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND FROM THERE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FUCCILLO HYUNDAI OF SYRACUSE, 2601 ERIE BLVD E, SYRACUSE, NY, 315-445-7900, AND WAS TOLD TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO ONE CALLED HER BACK, EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS TOLD THAT SOME ONE WOULD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11354954

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL THAT MY STATEN ISLAND HYUNDAI SAID THEY COMPLETED ALL THE RECALL NOTICES ON MY CAR IN THE MAIL.I NEVER BROUGHT MY CAR THERE!

NHTSA ID

11282419

Incident

Jul 4, 2019

Mileage

46,000 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY SON'S HYUNDAI SONOTA ALSO ON 3 DIFFERENT DOOR'S. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.I SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HYUNDAI WILL NOT PUT THIS ON A RECALL. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY PROBLEM AS IF THERE IS A ACCIDENT AND CANNOT OPEN DOOR THEN WHAT.

NHTSA ID

11222801

Incident

Jun 24, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

ON 18 OCTOBER 2017 BRAKES FAILED ON A HILL IN TRAFFIC WITH RED LIGHT AHEAD. 43903 MILES ON THE CAR. MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER AS THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SOMEHOW I CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE AND GOT IT TO STOP. DIAGNOSED AS BRAKE LINE RUPTURE. BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES RUPTURED. ALL 5 BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAUSE WAS CORROSION. STEERING GEAR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11054598

Incident

Oct 18, 2017

Mileage

43,903 mi

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. BRAKE LIGHT AND EMERGENCY BREAK LIGTH WENT ON - ON DASHBOARD. HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 3 DAYS. AT 5 MPH, 10MPH AND 25MPH. LUCKILY THESE WERE ON CITY SIDE STREETS AND 1X WHILE PARKING. TYPICALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN WHILE BEGINNING OR POST BRAKE.

NHTSA ID

11047827

Incident

Nov 21, 2017

Mileage

66,000 mi

WHEN CAR IS OFF AND STILL IN DRIVE YOU CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT AND LEAVE THE CAR, STILL IN DRIVE. I DID THAT AND IT BACKED UP AND HIT A TRUCK IN A PARKING LOT. IT HAS DONE IT EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. NO BIG DEAL UNTIL NOW. WHY DOES IT LET ME TAKE MY KEY OUT WHILE IT IS STILL IN DRIVE?

NHTSA ID

10970009

Incident

Mar 13, 2017

Mileage

82,000 mi

ALL VEHICLE LIGHTS COME ON DASHBOARD AND POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF WHEN GOING THROUGH A RAIN PUDDLE APPROX 3-4 INCHES DEEP. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN AND THE WHEEL LOCKS UP. I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY TOLD ME THERE'S NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY CANNOT FIX AN ISSUE THAT DOES NOT EXIST. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS AND THE FACT THAT I JUST PAID THIS VEHICLE OFF IS MAKING ME RE-CONSIDER IT AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE. I HAVE CHILDREN AND NOW THAT WE'RE IN HURRICANE SEASON IN SOUTH FLORIDA I CANNOT DRIVE WHILE IT''S RAINING ON WHEN IT HOT AS HELL OUTSIDE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I'M GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE I PAID 20,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL THAT SOMEONE SHOULD REPLACE THIS VEHICLE OR PERFORM A RECALL TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10883762

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

Mileage

39,000 mi

ESC OFF LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. IF RESTART VEHICLE LIGHT DOED NOT COME ON. THIS IS A MANUFACURING DEFECT & SHOULD BE RECALLED. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A MECHANIC TO FIX SOMETHING THAT ISN'T REALLY BROKEN. THERE IS NOTHING WRING WITH THE SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

10882329

Incident

Jun 27, 2016

Mileage

92,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID

10870033

Incident

May 19, 2016

Mileage

63,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10732675

Incident

Aug 15, 2012

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PAN WAS RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE OIL TO GO THROUGH THE METAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,546. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10725938

Incident

Jun 25, 2013

Mileage

57,546 mi

DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, I HEARD AIR COMING THROUGH MY MOONROOF. OPENED SUNSHADE & SUDDENLY, SUNSHADE BUSTS OPEN & I SEE NO GLASS AT ALL. INSTANTLY LOOK IN REARVIEW MIRROR THINKING SUNSHADE FLEW ONTO THE ROAD, BUT SAW NOTHING. THANK GOODNESS B/C THIS SITUATION COULD'VE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE THAN IT ALREADY IS. GO TO DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD IT'S A RECALL PRODUCT & TOLD ME WHICH REPAIR SHOP TO GO TO. HEARD BACK FROM REPAIR SHOP NEXT DAY (3/29); THEY SAID I'D HAVE TO PAY $180 (PUTTING FABRIC ON SUNSHADE & SERVICE MAINTENANCE). I WAS SHOCKED B/C I WASN'T EXPECTING TO PAY FOR A RECALL PRODUCT. CALL WEBASTO TO SEE IF THEY'LL REIMBURSE ME & THEY SAID THEY ONLY COVER PARTS. THIS SHOULDN'T BE THE CASE; IT'S THEIR BAD PRODUCT & THEY NEED TO DO WHATEVER THEY CAN TO FIX IT. WAS ALSO INFORMED THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. FIND OUT TODAY THAT WEBASTO DIDN'T HAVE A PART & IT WOULDN'T GET TO THE REPAIR COMPANY UNTIL THURS (4/9) OR FRI (4/10) OF THIS WEEK. HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR B/C I NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF PERSONAL STUFF & I COULDN'T KEEP INCONVENIENCING FRIENDS. CALLED WEBASTO HOPING THEY COULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME FOR A RENTAL CAR (WAIT TIME WAS ON THEM). THEY ALREADY WOULDN'T COVER THE COST FOR THE $180. WELL, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T REIMBURSE ME FOR THE RENTAL. CHECKED W/ MY INSURANCE CO. & THEY WOULDN'T EITHER. IT'S GOING ON 10 DAYS NOW W/O MY CAR & I PROBABLY WON'T GET IT BACK UNTIL FRI (4/10) OR MON (4/12), WHICH WOULD PUT ME AT 13-16 DAYS. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF IN A TIMELY MANNER. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND MY FRUSTRATION. I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING BLAMED SINCE I'M HAVING TO SPEND $380 ALL B/C THE PRODUCT WAS DEFECTED TO BEGIN WITH; NONE OF THIS WAS MY FAULT. I'D BE APPRECIATIVE IF THE COST OF MY RENTAL CAR & REPAIR SHOP FEE BE REIMBURSED TO ME. I DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT'S TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR, AS THIS IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10704348

Incident

Mar 28, 2015

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,380.

NHTSA ID

10608844

Incident

Jul 1, 2010

Mileage

27,000 mi

WE WERE DRIVING TOWARDS HOME WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO BUCK AS IF SOMEONE WERE APPLYING THE BRAKES AND SOUNDED AS IF GEARS WERE GRINDING. THE ESC IDIOT LIGHT KEPT GOING OFF AND ON SO I TURNED THE ESC OFF WITH THE MANUAL SWITCH AND IT SEEMED TO WORK MEANING I COULD DRIVE WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM. I AM CERTAINLY VERY HAPPY THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT A HIGHER SPEED BECAUSE THE JERKING WAS SOMEWHAT SEVERE AT 35MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10586511

Incident

May 1, 2014

Mileage

84,732 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT ON. DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED, HYUNDAI INLAND EMPIRE, LOMA LINDA, CA, DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED A WIRE WAS SEVERED IN LOOM ATTACHED TO PASSENGER SEATBELT THAT CONNECTS TO ASSEMBLY UNDER VEHICLE (PHOTOS AVAILABLE). THIS PART HAS NEVER BEEN TAMPERED AND UNAWARE THAT PART EXISTED UNTIL MECHANIC CHECKED AND ONLY DEALERSHIP WHERE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED. I ASKED FOR AN EXCEPTION TO WARRANTY AS THIS IS NOT A MOVING PART. THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT PART AND THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX A SAFETY ISSUE AS PART MUST BE DEFECTIVE IF WIRE SNAPPED. NO LONGER UNDER 60,000 MILE WARRANTY SO HYUNDAI WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND DENIED PAYING FOR THIS. NOW MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THEY HAVE ADVISED THE LOOM WHERE WIRE SNAPPED MUST BE REMANUFACTURED IN KOREA. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IS THE CASE WHEN THESE VEHICLES ARE STILL BEING MADE. I NEED HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10568989

Incident

Feb 28, 2014

Mileage

67,397 mi

ELECTRIC LOCKS NO LONGER WORK VEHICLE MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10514430

Incident

May 31, 2013

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AT APPROXIMATELY 5 -10 MPH, THE WHEELS SEIZED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE PHYSICALLY DIAGNOSED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,800. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10490061

Incident

Dec 21, 2012

Mileage

12,800 mi