1997 Hyundai Tiburon Problems
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 103,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags (8) and fuel system (6). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 103,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags8 22%
- Fuel system6 17%
- Engine cooling5 14%
- Electrical system4 11%
- Brakes3 8.3%
- Seat belts2 5.6%
- Seats2 5.6%
Also reported: Suspension (2), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “6 transmissions replaced within 40,000 miles...all rebuilt and all have problems with slipping and very hard shifting. I would like a transmission that works the engine and all other parts of car are in good condition. Car has been serviced regularly. Now dealership is trying to tell me that the transmission slip is just the way it 'smoothes' into the next gear. Even my passengers comment on the way the car the shifts. I have been inconvienced for at least a day or more to find alternate transportation so that they can install rebuilt transmissions. …”
NHTSA complaint #765774, filed 2002-08Air bags: “Check engine light came on while driving and car began to heat up, the driver side airbag came on as well;took it in for maintenance and the alternator was replaced however the airbag problem was not corrected and remains on.”
NHTSA complaint #10104616, filed 2004-12Fuel system: “The contact owns a 1997 Hyundai Tiburon. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they found a leak in the fuel tank as determined by a pressure check. Hyundai was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The recall number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10222386, filed 2008-03, 125,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “I parked the car. Got out of the drivers side and shut the door. The window shattered. Door was not shut forcefully. Passenger side window off track and raises too high. This may cause window to shatter also. I believe this may have been what happened with the drivers side of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #712308, filed 1999-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 83,539 and 125,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Hyundai Tiburon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiburon (Coupe) FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Tiburon (Coupe) FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Tiburon (Coupe) FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Tiburon (Coupe) FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 01V345000Nov 6, 2001Seat belts › Front › WebbingCovers: Hyundai Tiburon 1997–2001
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belts may not extend and retract smoothly through the d-ring guides mounted on the body pillars aft of the doors. If the seat belts do not extend and retract smoothly, they may…
- 00V095002Jul 21, 2000Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Hyundai Tiburon 1997, Elantra 1996–1997
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied, minor fuel tank distortion can result. A small crack could develop…
- 00V095001Mar 28, 2000Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Hyundai Tiburon 1997, Elantra 1996–1997
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The evaporative emission control systems can apply excessive vacuum to the fuel tanks during the canister purge cycle. If excessive vacuum is applied, minor fuel tank distortion can result. A small crack could develop…
- 97V026000Feb 26, 1997Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › MotorCovers: Hyundai Tiburon 1997, Accent 1996–1997, Elantra 1996–1997 +1 more
The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.
Recall details for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10230904Jan 30, 2023Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates…
- 10190044Mar 30, 2021Equipment, Engine cooling. This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance Test inspection…
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021Brakes, Equipment. This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10189989Mar 10, 2021Equipment, Engine cooling. This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020Brakes. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
- 10183960Nov 19, 2020Wheels, Tires. This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020Equipment, Exterior lighting. This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The TSB illustrates the…
- 10176182May 6, 2020Tires, Wheels. This bulletin provides information on tire maintenance best practices and procedures for dealers and customers to maximize tire life and performance.
- 10176178May 1, 2020Equipment. This bulletin describes the general guidelines to help disinfect and protect vehicle exterior/interior surfaces using recommended safe chemical products.
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day alert - vehicle has not…
Other model years of the Hyundai Tiburon
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 19 | 32,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 42 | 39,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 64 | 32,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 43 | 53,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 82 | 41,030 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 328 | 44,000 | 9 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 36 | 63,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 58 | 69,018 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 26 | 89,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 26 | 77,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 36 | 103,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Hyundai Tiburon model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 9 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags with 8.
Has the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon (Tiburon (Coupe), 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 103,000 miles and the middle half falls between 83,539 and 125,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.