IllustrationI HAVE A 2003 TIBURON. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE HAS RUSTED AWAY AND NO LONGER ENGAGES THE BRAKE. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
2003 Hyundai Tiburon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tiburon years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 39.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tiburon years →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
780–25K
6625–50K
5450–75K
3875–100K
19100–150K
9150K+
264 reports with mileage · 64 unknown
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 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
33 crash reports7 fire reports16 injury reports
Parking Brake complaints
5 reportsIN OCTOBER 2009 I PURCHASED A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON FOR MY SON. THE CAR WAS PLACED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL MY SON TURNED 16 ON MARCH 8, 2010. WE ONLY HAVE PUT LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE CAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE TO FIND OUT THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING ALSO CAUSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT TO LOCK IN. THE VEHICLE WAS PURC…
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IN OCTOBER 2009 I PURCHASED A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON FOR MY SON. THE CAR WAS PLACED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL MY SON TURNED 16 ON MARCH 8, 2010. WE ONLY HAVE PUT LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE CAR FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE TO FIND OUT THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING ALSO CAUSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT TO LOCK IN. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT CREST HONDA IN NASHVILLE, TN. THEY ALSO PROCEEDED TO SELL ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH WAS SUPPOSE TO COVER FOR BRAKES, HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER THEY CONTACTED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER FOR THE BRAKES TO BE REPAIRED AS THEY WERE AFTER MARKET BRAKES ON THE CAR. IT IS CLEARLY OBVIOUS THAT THIS CAR WAS NOT INSPECTED BY CREST HONDA PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. I HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT CREST HONDA AND CUSTOMERS HAVING FAULTY BRAKES ON USED CARS THAT THEY PURCHASE FROM THEM. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT CATCHING AND ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES WERE OPERATIONAL ON THE CAR.
HELLO, I'M 26YRS OLD. I OWN A 2003 TIBURON GT V6 6SPEED WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. I BOUGHT IT OFF OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH ONLY 9,000 MILES. WITHIN THE 70,000 MILES I'VE DRIVEN IT, IT'S HAD THREE CLUTCHES.? I'VE OWNED ALL MANUAL DRIVEN CARS SINCE I WAS 16, I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE WITH ONE. WE ALL KNOW I BURNED THAT CLUTCH…
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HELLO, I'M 26YRS OLD. I OWN A 2003 TIBURON GT V6 6SPEED WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. I BOUGHT IT OFF OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH ONLY 9,000 MILES. WITHIN THE 70,000 MILES I'VE DRIVEN IT, IT'S HAD THREE CLUTCHES.? I'VE OWNED ALL MANUAL DRIVEN CARS SINCE I WAS 16, I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE WITH ONE. WE ALL KNOW I BURNED THAT CLUTCH UP A LITTLE BIT YET I STILL DIDN'T BURN THAT CLUTCH OUT. THE FIRST CLUTCH I HAD TO REPLACE I PAID FOR THE PARTS. HYUNDAI TOOK CARE OF THE LABOR WHICH WAS NICE BUT, I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR A PART THAT I WASN'T AT FAULT FOR RUINING. NOW I'M ON MY THIRD CLUTCH, I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS ONE IN FULL BECAUSE I'M THE SECOND OWNER AND HYUNDAI ONLY COVERS 60,000 MILES. AS OF 01\06\09 THIS ONE IS NO LONGER WORKING. THERE HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURES DEFECT OF SOME KIND. WHETHER IT IS THE HYDRAULIC LINES PUMPING TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH FLUID, THE REVERSE DUAL MASS CLUTCH, OR IT BEING THE FIRST YEAR THEY MADE THE CAR, AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS HYUNDAI HAD TO TAKE CARE OF. I NEED HELP PLEASE. I'VE READ MORE REVIEWS ON "2003" TIBURON'S THAN I CAN HANDLE TO READ, AND AT LEAST 90% SAID THEY HAD CLUTCH PROBLEMS. I STARTED LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION AND THE ONLY THING I COULD FIND WAS CONSUMER AFFAIRS #, E-MAIL, AND A FEW OTHER #'S. I CALLED THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS #, AND NOW THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T HELP GO FIGURE. THEIR REASON WAS IT BEING TO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY ALTHOUGH IT WAS AT ONLY 31,000 MILES. NOW AT 77,000 IT GOES AGAIN, WHAT A COINCIDENCE. THIS DISASTER OF A CAR HAS COST ME AROUND $4,000 AND HAS ALSO PUT A HALT ON MY LIFE. I HAD A JEEP PAYMENT THAT I HAD TO SURRENDER BACK TO THE BANK BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER PAY FOR REPAIRS ON THE TIBURON AND MY JEEP. I'M WRITING THIS IN HOPE THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF GOOD WILL, RECALL, ECT. TO HELP REIMBURSE MY LOSES. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE *TR
I HAVE A 2003 TIBURON GT WITH A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH TWICE IN UNDER 30K MILES. I'VE CHECKED WITH OTHER TIBURON OWNERS AND THEY SAID IT'S A DEFECT IN THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. HYUNDAI WON'T ADMIT A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE APPARENTLY. *TR
CLUTCH FAILED AT 44,000 MILES AFTER BUYING CAR USED. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT FIX , STATED IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR. COST $1500 TO FIX. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, PAST 65,000 SO SERVICE DEPARTMENT WONT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. HATCH BACK LATCH WONT WORK, $200 TO FIX THAT. HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY OTHER MONTH. BROUGHT CAR TO SER…
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CLUTCH FAILED AT 44,000 MILES AFTER BUYING CAR USED. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT FIX , STATED IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR. COST $1500 TO FIX. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, PAST 65,000 SO SERVICE DEPARTMENT WONT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. HATCH BACK LATCH WONT WORK, $200 TO FIX THAT. HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY OTHER MONTH. BROUGHT CAR TO SERVICE CENTER BECAUSE OF A NOISE IN THE FRONT OF CAR. SAID THEY COULDNT HEAR ANYTHING. 2000 MILES OVER MY WARRENTEE BROUGHT CAR BACK BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING WORSE, SAID IT WAS FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND WOULD COST $1000 TO FIX. DURING COLD WEATHER EMERGENCY BRAKE STICKS TOOK IT IN AND THEY COULDNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, GO FIGURE. SEATS WONT LATCH SOMETIMES AFTER LETTING SOMEONE OUT FROM THE BACK. IS THERE A END TO THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE WITH THIS HYUNDAI.
Official recalls
909V125000 · Suspension:front:control Arm
Apr 16, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
04V369000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Jul 26, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
04V178000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Apr 9, 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
03V496000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Dec 3, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.
03V321000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 26, 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS MOUNTED BENEATH THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S PADDED SURFACE. TEAR LINES ARE FORMED INTO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S PADDED SURFACE DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP PAD. THESE TEAR LINES ALLOW A PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACE TO FOLD UPWARD IF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER.
Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. 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 OF AMERICA AT 1-800-633-5151, OR IF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO, HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
03V290000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Aug 5, 2003
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. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. 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. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: NONDEPLOYMENT OF AN SRS AIR BAG IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS WARRANTED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-899-981-0188.
03V257000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jul 22, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE REAR BRAKE TUBES COULD CONTACT BOTH STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
02V290000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Nov 5, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. NONDEPLOYMENT OF AN SRS AIR BAG IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS WARRANTED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
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. 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.
02V044000 · Unknown Or Other
Feb 8, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET WAS NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS BRACKET HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY OR INCREASED SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE BRACKET HAS BEEN INSTALLED. IF THE BRACKET HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 4, 2002. 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.