Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 19 | −58% | 1 | Airbag | Good |
| 2007 | 42 | typical | 1 | Transmission | Average |
| 2006 | 64 | 1.7× | 1 | Transmission | Caution |
| 2005 | 43 | typical | 1 | Transmission | Average |
| 2004 | 82 | 2.1× | — | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2003 | 328 | 8.3× | 9 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2002 | 2 | −89% | 4 | Airbag | Good |
| 2001 | 36 | −13% | 1 | Airbag | Average |
| 2000 | 58 | 1.4× | 1 | Seat Belt | Caution |
| 1999 | 26 | −34% | 3 | Electrical | Average |
| 1998 | 26 | −26% | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 1997 | 36 | typical | 4 | Transmission | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Tiburon year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Hyundai Tiburon problems
Latest Hyundai Tiburon recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Suspension › Front › Control arm
Hyundai is recalling 160,904 my 2001-2003 elantra and my 2003 tiburon vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front lower control arms for corrosion damage. If specified levels of internal corrosion damage are found, the front lower control arms will be replaced with new front lower control arms…
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with threaded portions of the steering gearbox assembly's left and right inner ball joint assemblies that contain internal cracks in the material structure.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gearbox assemblies on these vehicles free of charge. Owners were contacted by telephone beginning on April 8, 2005, and instructed not to drive their vehicles.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity" a valve on the fuel tank assembly May not close properly. If a vehicle rolls over and the fuel tank assembly valve is not properly closed, fuel spillage May occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. The recall began on October 5, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai de puerto rico at 1-800-981-0188.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Some passenger vehicles contain a fuel tank assembly valve that May not close properly. If a vehicle with a fuel tank assembly valve that is not properly closed were to roll over, fuel spillage May occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. Owner notification began on June 30, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Hyundai Tiburon should you avoid?
2003, 2004, 2006 and 2000 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Tiburon years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2003.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Tiburon?
2002 has the fewest complaints compared with other Tiburon years at the same age, followed by 2008 and 1999. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Hyundai Tiburon problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (314), air bags (161) and electrical system (70). Transmission complaints peak in the 2003 model year.
How many recalls has the Hyundai Tiburon had?
17 recalls across 1997–2008. The model year with the most is 2003. See all Hyundai Tiburon recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.