Most common 1998 Hyundai Tiburon problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Tiburon complaints by model year
Best Tiburon years: 2002, 2008, 1999. Years to avoid: 2003, 2004, 2006, 2000. Compare all years →
1998 Hyundai Tiburon recalls (1)
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a stopper over each front seat belt d-ring guide to assist the seat belt to smoothly extend and retract. Owner notification began December 10, 2001.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon:
Fuel cap replacement campaign 36
There is no summary currently available
What 1998 Hyundai Tiburon owners say
Engine & cooling
Hyundai said the exhaust manifold was not covered under the emissions or powertrain warranty which was a lie I have recorded. My seatbelt pops off even though I double check to make sure it's in tight. Hatfield Hyundai said put it in tighter or spray silicon oil in it. My locks will freeze while I'm driving and I cant get out of my car unless the window will roll down. Usally the windows are frozen shut. Hatfield Hyundai it is a normal thing for hyundais to lock people in their car. He said dont drive it when it's cold or spray ice guard inside the door before driving in cold weather. My car automatic transmission well redline and wont shift into the next gear.hatfield Hyundai said it was normal for my car to redline and not go past 69miles an hr. I took it to dennnis Hyundai another dealership immediatley after that same day and had their manager ride with me on 6/29/01. …
Consumer stated that in her daughter's vehicle engine check light kept coming on, and when it did, while driving vehicle lost power. After loss of power, it took a long time to regain power. Then, vehicle ran sluggish for a while. Had taken vehicle to the dealer and had it repaired twice, but the problem kept reappearing.
Transmission & drivetrain
1998 Hyundai Tiburon, automatic transaxles: car purchased new in 1998. Experienced engine stumble referenced in TSB 98-36-008, but no one could ever find anything wrong. Should have been a recall. Currently having problems with electrical system and transmission- car downshifts and gets stuck in 3rd gear when headlights on and turn signal activated (TSB 98-40-006?) still dealer can find nothing. I have seen numerous stories on internet forums at hyundaiperformance.com, yet Hyundai refuses to inform its consumers of these issues. This should be investigated and a recall should be issued. Service dealer ignored requests to return my calls concerning its status.
I bought this car in March of 2002 and the transmission went 6 weeks later. The problem I was told was that there was a "shift flare" in my automatic transmission. I was sold the car with the remainder of the powertrain warranty and then Hyundai proceded to give me the run around for 4 weeks saying I needed proof that the transmission fluid was changed at 30,00 miles. I was the second owner and did not have that info. After a month of not having my car, and contacting the bbb, and consumer reports, along with Hyundai directly......I went to a lawyer at $125 an hour and he made a few calls and I had a "rebuilt" transmission in 8 days. I've been driving my car for 3 weeks now, and this "new" one is doing the exact same thing. The flare is between 2 and 3 gear, and my check engine light has been coming on. …
Electrical system
1998 Hyundai Tiburon, automatic transaxles: car purchased new in 1998. Experienced engine stumble referenced in TSB 98-36-008, but no one could ever find anything wrong. Should have been a recall. Currently having problems with electrical system and transmission- car downshifts and gets stuck in 3rd gear when headlights on and turn signal activated (TSB 98-40-006?) still dealer can find nothing. I have seen numerous stories on internet forums at hyundaiperformance.com, yet Hyundai refuses to inform its consumers of these issues. This should be investigated and a recall should be issued. Service dealer ignored requests to return my calls concerning its status.
I went to the car lot and picked up my Tiburon. I drove it home...and to work. After I had driven the car for 3 days, I walked toward the car and the wireless remote on the keys wouldnt beep so when I put the key in the door to unlock it the alarm sounded and the ignition would not start. I immediately contacted the dealer in which they said I probably needed to buy a new battery. I hadn't even put 100 miles on the car. I had someone check the battery and that wasn't the problem. My car sat at my workplace for 8 days before the dealership finally sent a towing truck to have it serviced. I come to find out it is the "transponder" to the alarm that is faulty and therefore the car won't start until it is replaced. It is still waiting to be serviced. My question is why do I have to pay to have that fixed when I have an extended warranty and I've only had the car a few days? …
1998 Hyundai Tiburon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Tiburon rates average: 26% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tiburon at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (6) and electrical system (5).
How many recalls does the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon, the most recent from November 6, 2001 (webbing). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Tiburon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2008 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2000. See the full Hyundai Tiburon years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Hyundai Tiburon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.