2003 Hyundai Tiburon Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 71about this part
- Share
- 22%of 328 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 71 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, 22% of the 328 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 24 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“I have never received any recall notices at my address, by phone email, not even face to face with the dealer when I took the car to the dealership. I stumbled across this by accident trying to find online how to fix my electronic key, that was friday, february, 28, 2014. From 2002 to now, no mail, except to extend my warranty. They could reach me then. …”
NHTSA complaint #10567027, filed 2014-03, 8,000 miles“I 'm financing a Hyundai Tiburon 2003 and the air bag in the front drivers side has been malfunctioning, the light is on and has been on. Also the windows wont roll down and the oxygen sensors have gone out as well. Is there any remedy that can be done for my car since I owe 9,000.00 dollars on it to fireside bank?”
NHTSA complaint #10285246, filed 2009-09, 64,000 miles“My air bag light has currently been on for almost a year now at first if I wiggled the seat belt latch it would go off but now it stays on. When I contact the dealership they say that my car is not affected by the seatbelt recall. They want to charge me all this money for something that should be covered by the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10227192, filed 2008-05, 60,000 miles“Took vehicle to the dealer to check the air bag warning light. They said it was caused by the seat belt and wiring that needed to be replaced. After checking the recall information, there was a recall (056) under campaign number 02v290000. The dealer stated that the recall was not for my vehicle which was a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. I called Hyundai and spoke with their rep and she said the same even though the recall includes 2003 Hyundai tiburons. This fix will cost me close to $400.00 just to pass inspection. …”
NHTSA complaint #10746991, filed 2015-08, 79,961 milesRelated recalls
- 03V321000Aug 26, 2003On certain sport utility vehicles, the front passenger air bag is mounted beneath the right portion of the instrument panel's padded surface. Tear lines are…Covers: Hyundai Tiburon 2003
Related service bulletins
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 10 | 53% |
| 2007 | 13 | 31% |
| 2006 | 6 | 9% |
| 2005 | 7 | 16% |
| 2004 | 21 | 26% |
| 2003 | 71 | 22% |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 | 9 | 16% |
| 1999 | 4 | 15% |
| 1998 | 3 | 12% |
| 1997 | 8 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
164 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology