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1997 Hyundai Tiburon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 36 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

36 reports
243,420 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), THERE WAS A PERSISTENT STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BACK SEAT TO INSPECT THE ACCESS PORT FOR THE FUEL TANK AND DISCOVERED A 4 INCH FRACTURE ON THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), THERE WAS A PERSISTENT STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BACK SEAT TO INSPECT THE ACCESS PORT FOR THE FUEL TANK AND DISCOVERED A 4 INCH FRACTURE ON THE STEEL FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER TO INFORM THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE DEALER DECLINED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 243,420.

NHTSA ODI #10596491

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE INSPECTION THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE INSPECTION THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INSPECTION PERFORMED UNDER THE PRIOR RECALL, SO THE VEHICLE WAS DENIED A FREE REMEDY REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

NHTSA ODI #10290954

125,000 miles · Mar 26, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AS DETERMINED BY A PRESSURE CHECK. HYUNDAI WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AS DETERMINED BY A PRESSURE CHECK. HYUNDAI WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10222386

83,539 miles · Sep 22, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

SMELLED GAS FUMES STRONGLY UPON FILL-UP FOR SEVERAL DAYS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK CAR IN. MECHANIC SAID RECALL #00V095002 WAS IN EFFECT ON MY VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS (TANK & CAP). DEALERSHIP ONLY REPLACED CAP BUT DID NOT TELL ME AT THE TIME. WENT TO SMOG CAR NEXT YEAR AND COMES U…

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SMELLED GAS FUMES STRONGLY UPON FILL-UP FOR SEVERAL DAYS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK CAR IN. MECHANIC SAID RECALL #00V095002 WAS IN EFFECT ON MY VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS (TANK & CAP). DEALERSHIP ONLY REPLACED CAP BUT DID NOT TELL ME AT THE TIME. WENT TO SMOG CAR NEXT YEAR AND COMES UP WITH EVAPORATIVE LEAK. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME "THERE IS A HUGE LEAK ON THE TOP OF YOUR GAS TANK." WILL NOT REPLACE FOR FREE. CALLED MANUFACTURER WHO SAID THAT DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THERE WAS NO LEAK AT TIME OF ORIGINAL INSPECTION. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY ARE NOT UNDER OBLIGATION TO REPLACE TANK DUE TO THEIR CLAIM THAT IT WAS NOT CRACKED AT THE TIME OF FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT. SPOKE WITH KASEY AT HYUNDAI ON 9/22 AT 2:15 PM. RECALL NOTICE CLEARLY STATES THAT "TANK MUST BE REPLACED IF CRACKED, REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE'S AGE OR MILEAGE." *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137351

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2004
Air BagsElectrical System

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAR BEGAN TO HEAT UP, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG CAME ON AS WELL;TOOK IT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE AIRBAG PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED AND REMAINS ON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104616

103,000 miles · Oct 22, 2004
Electrical System

CONNSUMER STATED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10097505

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2004
Seat Belts

CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON FRONT SEAT BELT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10059170

71,000 miles · May 11, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD FLEW UP ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, DESTROYED THE HOOD AND LATCHES, DAMAGED THE ROOF, AND INJURED DRIVER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018530

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2002
Power Train

6 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED WITHIN 40,000 MILES...ALL REBUILT AND ALL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SLIPPING AND VERY HARD SHIFTING. I WOULD LIKE A TRANSMISSION THAT WORKS THE ENGINE AND ALL OTHER PARTS OF CAR ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. NOW DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP IS JUST THE …

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6 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED WITHIN 40,000 MILES...ALL REBUILT AND ALL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SLIPPING AND VERY HARD SHIFTING. I WOULD LIKE A TRANSMISSION THAT WORKS THE ENGINE AND ALL OTHER PARTS OF CAR ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. NOW DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP IS JUST THE WAY IT 'SMOOTHES' INTO THE NEXT GEAR. EVEN MY PASSENGERS COMMENT ON THE WAY THE CAR THE SHIFTS. I HAVE BEEN INCONVIENCED FOR AT LEAST A DAY OR MORE TO FIND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION SO THAT THEY CAN INSTALL REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS. SOME OF THE SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT HYUNDIA HAS GREAT DIFFICULTY REBUILDING TRANSMISSIONS. THE HUYNDAI REPRESETATIVE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALL TRANSMISSIONS ARE GIVING OUT BEFORE THEIR 12,000 WARRENTY EXPIRES. ALL REPALCEMENTS HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I HAVE BEEN SATISFIED WITH THEIR HONORING THE WARRENTY. MY LAST SERVICE CALL THE MANAGER KEN BEARD TOLD ME HE WOULD AGAIN CONTACT HUYNDAI AND ASK ABOUT TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND CONTACT ME BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN 3 WEEKS. I HAVE CONTACTE DTHE OWNER AND HIS CONTROLLER FRENCHETTA THOMPSON HAS ASSURED ME THAT HE WILL RETURN MY CALL THIS WEEK. I ONLY OWN ONE CAR AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEPEND ON IT TO GET TO WORK, THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE. EVEN WHEN ASKED THE DEALER REFUSES TO LET ME USE A LOANER CAR. ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I HAVE READ AN ARTICLE IN A CAR MAGAZINE STATING THAT HUYNDAI MADE MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR 2003 TRANSMISSION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765774

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2002
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. LIGHT FLASHES FIRST AND THEN STAYS ON. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME GOING IN FOR REPAIRS TO DEALER IN 6MONTHS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8013342

Official recalls

4

01V345000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing

Nov 6, 2001

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. IF THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY, THEY MAY TWIST IN THE D-RING GUIDES AND MAKE IT INCONVENIENT TO EXTEND AND RETRACT THE SEAT BELTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SEAT BELTS ARE INCONVENIENT TO USE, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE INCLINED TO WEAR THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

00V095002 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jul 21, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

00V095001 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Mar 28, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

97V026000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Feb 26, 1997

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

SQ00003 · Fuel Cap Replacement Campaign 36

Opened Feb 2, 2000 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

There is no summary currently available

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

There is no summary currently available