IllustrationBAD CLUTCH. *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
Power Train complaints
164 reportsI HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON GT (6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THAT HAS EXPERIENCED A PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES ON IT, AND I DRIVE IT QUITE CONSERVATIVELY. THE FAILURE IS NOT FROM "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". THERE ARE DESIGN DEFECTS THAT DIRECTLY LEAD TO THIS (AND MANY OTHER) PREMATURE FAILURES. I…
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I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON GT (6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THAT HAS EXPERIENCED A PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES ON IT, AND I DRIVE IT QUITE CONSERVATIVELY. THE FAILURE IS NOT FROM "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". THERE ARE DESIGN DEFECTS THAT DIRECTLY LEAD TO THIS (AND MANY OTHER) PREMATURE FAILURES. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $2100 IN REPAIRS (CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, THROW-OUT BEARING, AND FLYWHEEL + LABOR) BY THE DEALER. I AM LOOKING INTO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS--INCLUDING TRADING MY CAR IN--AS I AM NOT CONFIDENT THE DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. I HAD TO HAVE THE CLUTCH REPLACED 2 TIMES IN 2004. ONCE IN DEC AND JAN. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AGAIN IN JAN OF 2008. WHAT CAN I DO??*CN
2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON 4CYL CLUTCH PROBLEM. REPLACED AT 13,000 MILES AND IT IS GOING AGAIN AT 41,000. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND I AM 44 YEARS OLD AND I DON'T ABUSE THE CAR. *TR
HAZARD LIGHTS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, AIRBAG LIGHTS, POWERS WINDOWS AND CLUTCH. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON AND MY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL BOTH FAILED AT WHAT I THINK IS A LITTLE TO EARLY. IT IS DRIVEN WITH CARE AND EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED. I HAD A NEW CLUTCH PUT IN BY A PROFESSIONAL TRANSMISSION SHOP AND DID NOT REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL, JUST THE CLUTCH AND HYDRAULICS. WITHIN ONE BUSINESS WEEK, MY NEW CLUTCH H…
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I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON AND MY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL BOTH FAILED AT WHAT I THINK IS A LITTLE TO EARLY. IT IS DRIVEN WITH CARE AND EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED. I HAD A NEW CLUTCH PUT IN BY A PROFESSIONAL TRANSMISSION SHOP AND DID NOT REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL, JUST THE CLUTCH AND HYDRAULICS. WITHIN ONE BUSINESS WEEK, MY NEW CLUTCH HAS FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $800 JUST FOR THE FLYWHEEL SO I CAN THEN TAKE BACK TO THE SHOP AND HAVE THEM INSTALL IT WITH MY NEW CLUTCH! *TR
I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON GT V6 AND HAD A CLUTCH PROBLEM TWICE AND THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHER DRIVERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. EVERYTIME WE WENT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS OUR FAULT, AND MADE US PAY OVER $1500 FOR REPAIRS. *TR
AT 39,000 MILES MY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE COSTS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THERE IS A LAWSUIT THAT HAS BEEN FILED BY GREEN WELLING LLP ON BEHALF OF NUMEROUS 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. IN A TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN …
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AT 39,000 MILES MY CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE COSTS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THERE IS A LAWSUIT THAT HAS BEEN FILED BY GREEN WELLING LLP ON BEHALF OF NUMEROUS 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. IN A TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN SENT TO THE DEALERSHIPS IN 2004 IT WAS STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PARTS ARE DEFORMED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO BE REIMBURSED OR TO FIGHT THIS. I HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
MY CLUTCH HAS TO BE REPLACED AT 39,000 MILES. I DRIVE MY CAR WELL AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS QUOTED ME 1700 DOLLARS AND ARE SAYING THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS WEAR AND TEAR. READING ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS CLUTCH IT IS APPARENT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AN…
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MY CLUTCH HAS TO BE REPLACED AT 39,000 MILES. I DRIVE MY CAR WELL AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS QUOTED ME 1700 DOLLARS AND ARE SAYING THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS WEAR AND TEAR. READING ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS CLUTCH IT IS APPARENT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REPLACING IT FOR FREE! PRETTY SAD THAT HYUNDAI BOASTS ABOUT THEIR 10 YEAR WARRANTY BUT WON'T REPLACE ANYTHING UNDER IT! *TR
CLUTCH SLIPPING UNTIL THE BEARING EVENTUALLY BROKE, CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BUT NOW IT FEELS AS IF THE CLUTCH DISENGAGES AND ENGAGES EVERYTIME I RELEASE THE THROTTLE EVEN A BIT. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY. *JB
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.