Hyundai Tiburon Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 760 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Hyundai Tiburon (1997–2008) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 328. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (314 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Tiburon years →
All Tiburon model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 19 | 32,000 | 1 | 34 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 42 | 39,000 | 1 | 34 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 64 | 32,000 | 1 | 35 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 43 | 53,000 | 1 | 40 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 82 | 41,030 | 0 | 36 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 328 | 44,000 | 9 | 47 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 36 | 63,000 | 1 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 58 | 69,018 | 1 | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 26 | 89,000 | 3 | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 26 | 77,000 | 1 | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 36 | 103,000 | 4 | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain314 41%
- Air bags160 21%
- Seat belts70 9.2%
- Electrical system70 9.2%
- Fuel system38 5.0%
- Brakes38 5.0%
- Exterior lighting37 4.9%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)35 4.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2003: “The airbag in my car is on permanently. I researched the problem and found that there was a recall for this. It is caused by a wiring problem with the driver side seatbelt buckle under the seat.I was told that my VIN is not included in the recall. I replaced the seatbelt buckle and within a month the airbag light was back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11206498, filed 2019-05, 30,000 miles2007: “My son was driving my 2007 hyundia Tiburon, on the highway, when all of a sudden the car lost all it's stearing capability, he hit a speed limit sign vered off the road and went about 50 feet into the woods, the airbags never deployed. Luckly my son is ok, the car is a total loss. Why would the airbags not deploy with the front end is destroyed and the frame is bent.”
NHTSA complaint #10984392, filed 2017-05, 148,000 miles2008: “Airbag light continuously illuminated. I've been the only owner of this vehicle since new (8 years) and it started shortly after purchase. Have taken it to the dealership multiple times regarding airbag light and they disconnect the battery and it disappears for a while. I've never been in a crash so have no idea if this light indicates the airbags will deploy or not.”
NHTSA complaint #10896882, filed 2016-08, 30,000 milesOther Hyundai models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology