Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Hyundai Tiburon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. The contact stated while going to turn the battery off under the hood due to the driver hazard light was illuminating, there was black smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver wiring harness caused the fire and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact contacted winner Hyundai (591 s dupont hwy, dover, de 19901) where they informed that there were no recalls. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 196,641.
I was driving to my brother place when a wire started to smoke and cought on fire from under the steering wheel it was smokey where I could not see from the smoke and I hit a parked car front windshield shattered and my airbag did not exposed at all. It was on a city street no one got hurt just the car
First incident: blower motor for heat quit working. Found connector (climate control side) had melted replaced with used climate control. November 2010. Blower motor had quit working again found same connector as well as body harness side connector had melted. Replaced with used harness and climate control. November 2010 to December 2014 vehicle headlights would intermittently stay on when lights were shut off. January 26 2015 while driving dash lights, radio, tail lights, windows, turn signals. Intermittently turning off and on. Found climate control harness side melted again, also body control module and power wire to have melted. After searching these electrical components melting appears to be a common problem with the vehicle. …
Air bag light came on on the dash of my 2003 Hyundai Tiburon because of a broken wire under the drivers seat. Hyundai has had recalls on other vehicles for the same problem with the wire getting broken under the driver seat. They have fixed the problem under a recall to include putting a plastic cover over the wires to protect them. They told me that there is not a recall for that problem on my VIN number vehicle, same problem. The dealer said it is a common problem with this vehicle. This could cause the air bag not to deploy in an accident. They said that there was debri under the seat that caused the break. The only thing under the seat was a small collapsed umbrella that was on the back seat floor. I believe that there has not been a recall for this vehicle because not enough people have complained. This is a safety problem with the way Hyundai runs the wires under the seat.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact smelled a strong burning odor inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In addition, the entire electrical system failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and they stated that the failure was related to the body control module (BCM). The technician stated that the wiring harness melted and caused circuit shortage, which resulted in a small electrical fire. The vehicle is currently inoperative and has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,000.
Consumer stated that while driving at 45 MPH an accident occurred while trying to avoid a collision with a stalled vehicle in the highway. While avoiding the stalled vehicle consumer rolled into a ditch and rolled over several times. Consumer's seatbelt came undone, and the air bag did not deploy. After the accident something under the hood started smoking, and within ten minutes the entire car was consumed by the fire.
Consumer complained about electrical problems which included the power windows, and the driver seat belt buckle wiring. Consumer received a recall notice on this matter, however, dealer refused to accommodate the consumer. The air bad failed during a crash and the sun roof malfunctioned.
Both passenger and driver side windows some times work. I have to pull on them to go up most of the time and they get stuck rolled all the way up some times. Also the rear wiper blade motor does not work and the washer fluid motor dose not work.
2003 Tiburon : my lights started going on and off on their own and indicator lights on and off erratically. Air bag light stayed on I went off the road at 100K and airbag did not deploy also having alternator problems melting fan switch and attaching harness rear wiper failed, trunk release fail, both door locks failed cant lock my car anymore. Alot of safety issues that seem to be really common all related to BCM computer and electrical wiring cheap and dangerous. I have also had a head gasket go while the car was under warranty and the dealership refused to replace saying it was detergent in my oil I have worked on cars my whole life and been a mechanic for the last 12 years had to replace the head gasket myself after the warranty ran out. Transmission shift solenoid also failed from 1 to 2nd gear dealership replaced the transmission for that one. …
I recently purchased a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon gt v6 in April of 2008. The car looked like it was in great condition and did not have any mechanical problems. I was driving down the road one day when I put on my turn signal to change lanes. After I had changed lanes I noticed that my turn signal was permanantly on. Upon encountering this problem I took my car to bob king Hyundai in winston-salem. They told me that it was internal problems with the BCM and that it would cost $1100 just for the part, plus labor. Upon finding out this totally absurd problem, I went onto the internet to find other ways to fix. My discoveries were amazing. It seems that every person that has a 2003-05 Hyundai Tiburon has had the same problem when the cars have reached 100,000 miles or more. This problem leaves you with out turn signals and driving lights. …
Electrical complaints in other Tiburon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, 10% of the model year's 328 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Hyundai Tiburon electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Tiburon electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 4 fires and 5 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.