1999 Hyundai Tiburon Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (31% of the total), followed by seat belts (6) and transmission and drivetrain (6). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 89,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 28 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the webbing 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.
- Electrical system8 31%
- Seat belts6 23%
- Air bags4 15%
- Equipment4 15%
- Engine cooling3 12%
- Brakes2 7.7%
- Fuel system2 7.7%
- Tires2 7.7%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “1999 Hyundai Tiburon crankshaft position sensor is faulty in a lot of these cars I keep hearing about how a lot of people are having this problem with the Tiburon.”
NHTSA complaint #10403691, filed 2011-05, 120,000 milesSeat belts: “While driving at various speeds the transmission would down shift from high gear to lower gear and then lock up. The vehicle would jerk forward and remain in the lowest gear when this happened. The wheel would lock up just prior to being release. The vehicle has been to the dealer who changed the speed sensors 3 months before the transmission was replaced. The speed sensor was replaced 2 times. The pulse generator was replaced a total of 4 times. The thermostat has also been replaced. Also there was a tire label replacement. Stopper and elr seat belt was installed. Blade fuse and wire repairs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10015489, filed 2003-04, 12,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “My daughter has a 1999 Hyundai Tiburon and is having trouble with transmission, I seen where there was a recall. She was driving down the road and her car just down shifted and when she tried to give it gas it would not go, we got if off the road and put it out of gear. I drove it home and it done me the same way. Now it will go sometimes and sometimes it won't.”
NHTSA complaint #10227741, filed 2008-05, 89,000 milesVehicle speed control: “Had cd player replaced, computer failure after that where the check engine light comes on, they replaced it - the the battery died for no reason, they replaced that, now my car is shifting out of control and surges when at stop light with my foot on the brake pedal, while driving 60m MPH the car shifts into the same gear continuously and jolts then slows - they cant see a problem and say they cant help me, when they test drive it it's fine - the second I take it home from the dealership it starts up - it is dangerous to drive but since they cant find the problem from a test drive and…”
NHTSA complaint #754960, filed 2001-11Mileage when problems were reported
33% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,000 and 98,000 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 1999 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 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Tiburon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
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…
- 99V198000Jul 26, 1999Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Hyundai Tiburon 1999
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tire pressure placard required by fmvss no. 110, "tire selection and rims," was misprinted. It incorrectly contains the tire sizes, seating capacity, and luggage capacity.
- 99V178000Jul 7, 1999Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Hyundai Tiburon 1999, Accent 1999, Elantra 1999
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The automatic transmission pressure control solenoid valve seals do not remain sufficiently elastic, resulting in transmission fluid leakage. This leakage can result in reduced…
Recall details for the 1999 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. 28 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10247189Oct 13, 2023Engine cooling. This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
- 10235566Apr 24, 2023Body and structure. Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial…
- 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…
- 10217251Jul 28, 2022Engine cooling. Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.
- 10217258Jul 14, 2022Tires. Effective June 2, 2008, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 (FMVSS 110) established a threshold for correcting load carrying capacity information indicated on tire placards when vehicle weight…
- 10196546May 21, 2021Transmission and drivetrain. Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or other drivability…
- 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.
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 1999 Hyundai Tiburon have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (31% of the total), followed by seat belts with 6.
Has the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon (Tiburon, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 89,000 miles and the middle half falls between 44,000 and 98,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.