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

Unknown Or Other complaints

7 reports

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158,000 miles · Dec 8, 2019

Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

VAPOR PURGE CANISTER MALFUNCTION FRONT END FAILURE BAD GASKETS

NHTSA ODI #11287744

87,923 miles · Mar 27, 2015

Unknown Or Other

JUST TOOK 03 TIBURON TO HYUNDAI FOR RECALL SAID FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY NEVER SEEN FRAME ROT LIKE THIS IS THERE ANY RECALLS FOR FRAME RUST OR IS THERE ANY THING I CAN DO, HYUNDAI SAID UNFIXABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702114

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2004

Unknown Or Other

I PURCHASED A 2003 BLACK HYUNDAI TIBURON IN MARCH 2003. I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED PAINT CHIPS ALL OVER THE HOOD. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED FADING WHICH RESULTED IN A CIRCULAR FORM RIPPLING OF PAINT, WHICH THE DEALER CLAIMS TO BE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10078846

14,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004

Unknown Or Other

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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON MAY 2003 AND I PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUGUST OF 2002. HYUNDAI FLAT OUT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND AFTER MUCH HASSLE THEY PAID TO FIX IT. THIS SECOND TIME THE CLUTCH WENT OUT IN AUGUST 2003. HYUNDAI IS NOT WANTING TO PAY TO REPLACE CLUTCH. THEIR REASON IS THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, IT HAS ONLY BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH. I WAS TOLD IT HAS A YEAR WARRANTY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR THREE WEEKS. I HAVE VISITED MANY WEB SITES WHERE OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS SAME TYPE OF CAR HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD FIX MY CAR AT NO COST.

NHTSA ODI #10070813

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004

Unknown Or Other

Read full complaint

I WON A LEMON LAW ARBITRATION CASE, HYUNDAI TOOK ME TO COURT AND I LOST AND I AM STILL STUCK WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. ONE ITEM NOT INCLUDED FOR DISCUSSION IN THE ARBITRATION AND COURT IS THE MATTER OF FALSE ADVERTISEMENT OF HORSE POWER RATING, WHICH WAS ONLY DISCLOSED AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR. 7/19/02 LEAVE DEPOSIT TO BUY CAR. 8/9/02 PICK UP CAR. 8/28/02 FIRST RETURN FOR SERVICE FOR REMOTE ENTRY. 9/9/02 SECOND RETURN FOR REMOTE ENTRY FOR SERVICE EVENING HOURS NO PAPER WORK GIVEN. 9/11/-9/12/02 THIRD RETURN FOR SERVICE FOR REMOTE ENTRY. 9/16-9/23/02 FOURTH RETURN FOR SERVICE FOR REMOTE ENTRY, PAINT ON CAR DAMAGED IN SEVERAL PLACES, OIL/WATER LEAKS , REMOTE FAILS TWICE TO ARM. 1/10/03 DRIVE TO TOMS RIVER NJ, REMOTE FAILS TWICE TO ARM. 3/7/03 PINSTRIPPING ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR COMING OFF. 6/13/03 APPEAR IN SUPREME COURT , COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, NY 8/7-8/15/03. FIFTH RETURN FOR SERVICE FOR REMOTE ENTRY, CORRECT DAMAGE TO PAINT ON CAR IN SEVERAL PLACES AND RECALL ON CAR 8/5/03 DATE OF FORMAL DECISION OF THE COURT 8/21/02 FORMAL DECISION OF THE COURT POSTMARKED 8/21/03 RECEIVED 8/22/03 DOCUMENT # 2 NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM UPSET WITH THE CHALLENGE BROUGHT BY HYUNDAI MOTOR CAR OF AMERICA AFTER THE RECENT BINDING ARBITRATION FINDING IN MY FAVOR. I LIVE MY LIFE, BELIEVING AND TRUSTING IN THE AMERICAN WAY. THIS CHALLENGE APPEARS TO BE NOTHING MORE THAT A DELAY TACTIC BY THE COMPANY. THEY HAVE FULL TIME COUNCIL AT THEIR DISPOSAL, I DON'T. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG AND WISH TO PUT THIS UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE BEHIND ME. WHEN I FIRST CALLED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE ARBITRATION PROCESS AND BRIEFLY DESCRIBED THE PARTICULARS I WAS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. WHEN MY CASE WAS ACCEPTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL I WAS MORE ENCOURAGED THAT I WAS JUSTIFIED IN MY PURSUIT. AND OF COURSE WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE IN MY FAVOR I WAS REASSURED THAT THE AMERICAN SYSTEM WORKS.

NHTSA ODI #10070740

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2003

Unknown Or Other

PAINT ON THE 2003 TIBURON (BLUE) IMPROPER APPLICATION RESULTS IN MICRO FLECKS OF PAINT COMING OFF OF HOOD AND OTHER PARTS OF CAR. EITHER ADHESION IS POOR OR PAINT MUCH TOO THIN FOR THE MILDEST OF ROAD CONDITIONS RESULTING IN RAPIDLY AGING APPEARANCE AND CONDITION. UNACCEPTABLE IN MY OPINION. NEED EITHER A TINTED CLEARCOAT APPL…

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NHTSA ODI #10032570

3,080 miles · Jun 26, 2003

Unknown Or Other

THE CAR WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES OF CONTINUOUS CRANKING TO GET THE CAR STARTED. AT TIMES IT WILL NOT STAY STARTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10023819

Official recalls

09V125000 · 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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.