Illustration-4 TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH FAILURES -DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE -DEFECTIVE WHEEL HUB -DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING AND KNUCKLE -MANY OTHER DANGEROUS DEFECTS -ALL WERE REPAIRED, MOST WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER MUCH DISPUTE -NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE, BUT ALL REPAIR ORDERS ARE. *NM
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
Suspension complaints
13 reportsTHE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD AT SPEED ABOUT 35 MPH. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO FISH TAIL. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO KEEP VEHICLE ON THE ROAD BUT RAN OFF SIDE TWICE BEFORE LEFT WHEEL TOTALLY FELL ON SIDE AND VEHICLE CAME TO STOP. VEHICLE ON SIDE OF FAILURE NEVER LEFT ROADWAY O…
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THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD AT SPEED ABOUT 35 MPH. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO FISH TAIL. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO KEEP VEHICLE ON THE ROAD BUT RAN OFF SIDE TWICE BEFORE LEFT WHEEL TOTALLY FELL ON SIDE AND VEHICLE CAME TO STOP. VEHICLE ON SIDE OF FAILURE NEVER LEFT ROADWAY OR HIT CURB ETC BUT CAR SEVERELY DAMAGED. FAILURE FROM REAR LEFT SUSPENSION BOLT PULLING THROUGH UPPER CONTROL ARM HOLES (STAMPED METAL BRACE).*AK
THE ALL-NEW 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON BOASTED TO DELIVER A PERFECT COMBINATION OF STYLISH DESIGN, HIGH QUALITY AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. IN REALITY, THE NEW VEHICLE, WHICH I LEASED WAS PLAGUED WITH NUMEROUS HANDICAPS. THE KNOB ON STICK SHIFT KEEPS FALLING OFF-APPEARS TO BE BROKEN. RE-ATTACHED KNOB AND CENTERED FACE PLATE ONLY …
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THE ALL-NEW 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON BOASTED TO DELIVER A PERFECT COMBINATION OF STYLISH DESIGN, HIGH QUALITY AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. IN REALITY, THE NEW VEHICLE, WHICH I LEASED WAS PLAGUED WITH NUMEROUS HANDICAPS. THE KNOB ON STICK SHIFT KEEPS FALLING OFF-APPEARS TO BE BROKEN. RE-ATTACHED KNOB AND CENTERED FACE PLATE ONLY TO HAVE KNOB FALL OFF AGAIN STILL BROKEN. JULY 18 2002 A/C FUMES COMING THRU VENTS THIS IS CAUSED BY GREASE ON WHEEL FROM BAND CLAMP LOOSE OFF CV BOOT. JULY 18 2002 STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT HIGH SPEED- CAR SWAYS AT REAR. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, THEY ADJUSTED, STILL SHAKES. JULY 18 2002 PARK AND EMERGENCY BRAKE DEFECTIVE. PARK BRAKE LOOSE AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. EMERGENCY BRAKE LOOSE/DOES NOT HOLD, THEY FIXED BOTH, THEY ARE BROKEN AGAIN JAN 9TH. DEC 18 2002 SUNROOF WILL NOT OPEN REQUIRES A NEW MOTOR AND MODULE, WHICH WAS INSTALLED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR I TESTED IT AND IT STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. THEY SAID MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT IN THE NEW YEAR. DEC 18 2002 DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DEFECTIVE-GOES UP VERY SLOW YES, POWER WINDOW IS DRAGGING. WE WILL ORDER A NEW ONE. JAN 10/03 STILL NO PART. BOB (SERVICE MANAGER) WILL CALL ME WHEN PARTS ARE IN. JAN 17TH, I CALLED, YES PARTS ARE IN, AS PER BOB THE LETTER IS IN THE MAIL. AS OF FEB 25/03 I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE THAT LETTER. MAY 15 2002 I BOUGHT (FROM HYUNDAI SHOWROOM) BLUE NEON LIGHTS FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS $22.59 HAD THEIR SERVICE DEPT INSTALL THEM $30. THE FIRST TIME I WASHED MY CAR THEY FELL OFF. YES, THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. JUNE 11 HYUNDAI RE-INSTALLED MY OLD ONES AND IN DOING SO DENTED THE CAR ROOF. AUG 28 2002 WITH THE PENDING POSSIBILITY OF LAY-OFF I WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT MY OPTIONS WERE. THE MANAGER DIRECTED ME TO CALL FINANCIAL LYNX LEASING CO. FINANCIAL LYNX DIRECTED ME TO CALL DEALERSHIP. THE MANAGER TOLD ME I COULD BUY OUT MY LEASE FOR $6000 AT THAT TIME. THANK GOD I DIDN?T GET LAID-OFF. I AM NOT LOOKING TO GET OUT OF MY LEASE. SINCERELY, CARRIE URBANOWICZ
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.