Most common 1999 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 →
1999 Hyundai Tiburon recalls (3)
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a correct tire pressure placard and installation instructions.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pressure control solenoid valve.
What 1999 Hyundai Tiburon owners say
Electrical system
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. Hood latch cleaned. Dealership most recently found the transmission had internal problems and replaced the transmission and flushed the cooler lines.
Front turn signal and the rear running lights stopped working. A dealer examined the vehicle, and determined that the under dash wiring was defective. Manufacturer was not aware of the problem.
Transmission & drivetrain
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. Hood latch cleaned. Dealership most recently found the transmission had internal problems and replaced the transmission and flushed the cooler lines.
This complaint is related to NHTSA campaign id 99V178000 for a Hyundai Tiburon 1999. The car is experiencing the consequences detailed in the campaign. I contacted the manufacturer, they are saying that the campaign does not apply to my vehicle VIN#. I don't agree with this based on the description of the issues the vehicle has related to acceleration and the fact that my car fits the model, year and make of the recall campaign.
Seat 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. Hood latch cleaned. Dealership most recently found the transmission had internal problems and replaced the transmission and flushed the cooler lines.
Dt*: the contact stated a NHTSA # 01V345000 recall concerning the seat belt webbing, was received in 2001. The seat belts were repaired by the dealer. However, the vehicle has the same problem again, the webbing does not retract. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, but no repairs were made. Updated 3/9/2006 -
1999 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 1999 Hyundai Tiburon a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Tiburon rates average: 34% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tiburon at the same age. It is one of the best Tiburon years by this measure. 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 1999 Hyundai Tiburon?
The electrical system — 8 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › module. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (6) and seat belts (6).
How many recalls does the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1999 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 1999 Hyundai Tiburon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 89,000 miles; 33% 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.