Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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).
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. Makes you wonder what was done on vehicles produced after March 2003 that was claimed to correct this issue, considering so many tiburons that were produced after this date are having the same issue. I currently own 3 hyundais, very disappointed as this car has only 79961 miles. Updated 09/15/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the passenger side seat belt buckle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to the folsom lake and roseville Hyundai dealers where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side seat belt buckle failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 9607148. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. When the vehicle was started, the air bag and seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 02V290000 (seat belts) and 03V321000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
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. The dealer never informed me or said anything about a recall on my airbags, light has been on for years, I was told the airbag was no big deal, seatbelt replacement, fuel tank, suspension, I got locked in the car and I couldn't get out, I never know if I will be able to get my car to unlock. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. While driving at approximately 10 MPH, the seat belt light illuminated accompanied by the sound made when the seat belt was not locked in. The contact tried to stop the sound by wiggling the seat belt attachment. Once the ringing stopped, the air bag light illuminated and stayed on. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where a seat belt wiring kit was installed. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The current mileage was approximately 78,000. Updated 6/3/10 the consumer stated the seat belt was dinging while driving even when the seat belts were in use. When the seat belt was moved a little, the dinging stopped. However, the air bag light illuminated and it never went off. Periodically, the seat belt would continue to ding while driving and buckled up. …
I co-own this car with my daughter. The air bag light came on and would not go off. We found out about safety recall 02V290000 which specified that on 2003 tiburons the driver seat belt buckle could be damaged by the height adjuster mechanism, resulting in failure of the air bag or the permanent lighting of the air bag light with failure to deploy on impact. The dealer refused to fix it because Hyundai claims the problem was fixed by March 2003 and will not agree to fix cars manufactured afterward. Hyundai protection plan refused to cover repair because they say this is part of the cars restraint system excluded by the warranty. Paid to have it fixed jan 2009. Problem has now recurred in sept 2010 and dealer says I will have to pay to repair again because parts and service are only covered for 12 months. Meanwhile, my daughter is driving a potentially unsafe car.
Airbag light is on, I think this is due to seat belt buckle wiring issue, since light was going on and off for few days (and when I was moving seat belt buckle it was disappearing) I did research Tiburon forums and I see that most people experiencing same issue had their seat belt buckle replaced and light reset and that was it. Problem with me is that I'm out of warranty. I have called Hyundai affairs and reported this issue and they told me that Hyundai dealter May and most probably charge me for inspection and fixing issue, since there was no recall on my car. I'm afraid that air bag will not deploy during accident and I think Hyundai should pay for fixing it since this is not isolated issue. Many other Hyundai have same issue.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remains illuminated in the vehicle. He took his vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the driver's seat belt buckle wiring caused the air bag wiring lamp to illuminate. The failure could also cause the air bag fuse to open and prevent air bag deployment. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02v29000 (component: seat belts:front:buckle assembly). The contact would have to pay $300 for the repair. The manufacturer agreed with the dealer. The contact stated that he just purchased the vehicle five days prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000. 4/01/09 updated 04/06/09.
Recall id# 4217 and id# 74501 for a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon deal with the drivers seat belt buckle wiring causing the air bag light to illuminate. My air bag light keeps on turning on, even after my local mechanic checked the air bag and reset the light and turned it off. I finally had a Hyundai dealership check into it and they found that it is caused by the problem described in these recalls, however my VIN does not fall into the category that these two recalls are for. This recall must be expanded to more 2003 Hyundai tiburons as it is a known problem and I should not have to pay to have air bags that work correctly.
Related recalls
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
On certain sport utility vehicles, the driver seat belt buckle wiring could be damaged by interference with the driver seat cushion height adjuster mechanism. Damaged driver seat belt buckle wiring could cause the seat belt warning lamp or the supplemental restraint system (SRS) air bag wiring lamp to illuminate.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new driver seat belt buckle, if necessary, and will place a protective cover over the driver seat belt buckle wiring to prevent damage from occurring. Owner notification began September 23, 2003.
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
On certain passenger vehicles, the driver seat belt buckle wiring could be damaged by interference with the driver seat cushion height adjuster mechanism.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new driver seat belt buckle, if necessary, and will place a protective cover over the driver seat belt buckle wiring to prevent damage from occurring. Owner notification began on March 24, 2003.
Seat Belt complaints in other Tiburon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the seat belts of the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, 7% of the model year's 328 complaints. The component named most often is front › buckle assembly (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Hyundai Tiburon seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-290 (buckle assembly, Aug 5, 2003); NHTSA recall 02V-290 (buckle assembly, Nov 5, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Tiburon seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 4 injuries to seat belts 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.