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
What owners actually said
328 reports
28,065 miles · Apr 17, 2004
Power Train
I OWN AN 03' 5SPD TIBURON GT ALTHOUGH I LOVE MY CAR, THE LOOK,FEEL,AND COMFORT IT AFFORDS ME AS A DAILY DRIVER. IT HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH MANY DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM SUNROOF TRACK (TWICE) , LEAKY SUNROOF ONTO FACTORY AMP (IN HEAVY RAIN) , ALTERNATOR(EXIBITED NOISE AND SMELL BATT. LIGHT CAME ON),DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR(THANKFULLY…
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I OWN AN 03' 5SPD TIBURON GT ALTHOUGH I LOVE MY CAR, THE LOOK,FEEL,AND COMFORT IT AFFORDS ME AS A DAILY DRIVER. IT HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH MANY DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM SUNROOF TRACK (TWICE) , LEAKY SUNROOF ONTO FACTORY AMP (IN HEAVY RAIN) , ALTERNATOR(EXIBITED NOISE AND SMELL BATT. LIGHT CAME ON),DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR(THANKFULLY WINDOW STUCK IN CLOSED POSITION). THE MOST DISCONCERTING PROBLEM OF ALL HOWEVER IS THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.THE FIRST CLUTCH FAILED AFTER ONLY 6052MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT ON THE SERVICE INVOICE IT STATES "ADVISED CUSTOMER 1 TIME REPLACEMENT ON CLUCH AND RELATED COMPONETS" SO MUCH FOR THE GREAT WARRANTY. NOW MY TIBBY HAS 28000 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH HAS "WORE OUT" AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME THE INCIDENT OCCURED IN A CONGESTED HIGHWAY DURING 5:00 TRAFFIC. I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH ONLY TO RECIEVE A CHRRSSSHHH NOISE,THE CLUTCH WOULDENT ALLOW ME TO ENGAGE ANY GEAR I WAS ALMOST REARENDED WHICH I'M SURE WOULD'VE CAUSED A PILE UP. SWERVING INTO THE ADJACENT LANE TO AVOID IMPACT,I PRESSED THE FLASHERS AND COASTED MY WAY THROUCH TRAFFIC. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTS MY "DRIVING HABBITS" ARE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY MANUAL CARS AND HAVE HAD NO CLUTCH ISSUES ON ANY OF THEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS 2 CLUTCHES IN 28000MILES SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG,I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IF YOUR READING THIS NOW CHANCES ARE YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. DONT TAKE IT,FILE COMPLAINTS, SPREAD THE WORD, WE'VE GOT TO KEEP HUYNDAI HONEST IF ENOUGH OF US COMPLAIN THEY WILL HAVE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY PAID FOR A NEW CLUTCH YOU COULD GET DESERVED REMBURSEMENT. THE BOTTOM LINE YOUR NOT ALONE LETS HELP EACHOTHER WITH THIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10066369
45,000 miles · Apr 4, 2004
Power Train
CLUTCH WENT OUT THREE XS BEFORE 40,000 MILES. IF ANYONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS PLEASE RESPOND IN DETAIL. THANKS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10064496
3,800 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IT SCARED THE DRIVER, AND SHE MADE A QUICK RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE HIT THE CURB, AND BROKE THE RIM ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10059294
3,800 miles · Mar 2, 2004
Seat Belts
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SEAT BELT PROBLEM. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061173
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED AND THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTARTIT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE CLUTCH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059207
939 miles · Feb 6, 2004
Power Train
PROBLEM WITH CLUTCH. I BROUGHT IN MY HYUNDAI 2003 TIBURON 5 SPEED STANDARD FOR SERVICE BECAUSE CLUTCH STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AFTER 890 MILES ( HOT SMELL ) , THEN AGAIN AROUND 8000 MILES FOR SHUDDER PROBLEMS , ALSO STOPED IN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO TALK TO THEM AND HAVE THEM ROAD TEST ( SAID COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM ) AG…
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PROBLEM WITH CLUTCH. I BROUGHT IN MY HYUNDAI 2003 TIBURON 5 SPEED STANDARD FOR SERVICE BECAUSE CLUTCH STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AFTER 890 MILES ( HOT SMELL ) , THEN AGAIN AROUND 8000 MILES FOR SHUDDER PROBLEMS , ALSO STOPED IN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO TALK TO THEM AND HAVE THEM ROAD TEST ( SAID COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM ) AGAIN AROUND 22000 MILES FOR MAJOR SHUDDER PROBLEMS AND HARD TO SHIFT ( HAD TO REPLACE PRESSURE PLATE / CLUTCH / FLYWHEEL / THROW OUT BEARING / CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ). *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056646
18,181 miles · Jan 29, 2004
Wheels
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE LUGS BROKE, AND WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10056133
2,800 miles · Jan 29, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicTiresCrash
VEHICLE EQUIPT WITH LOW PROFILE SPORTS TIRES. WHILE DRIVING ON SR2 IN JERUSELUM TOWNSHIP OHIO I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN SKIDDING ON BLACK ICE. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND $9000 DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. REAR AXLE FAILED DURING THE IMPACT INTO AN EMBANKMENT WHICH ABSORBED MUCH OF THE…
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VEHICLE EQUIPT WITH LOW PROFILE SPORTS TIRES. WHILE DRIVING ON SR2 IN JERUSELUM TOWNSHIP OHIO I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN SKIDDING ON BLACK ICE. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND $9000 DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. REAR AXLE FAILED DURING THE IMPACT INTO AN EMBANKMENT WHICH ABSORBED MUCH OF THE IMPACT. SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AS DESIGNED BUT FRONT DID NOT. I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS IS DUE TO ME SLIDING BACKWARDS UP THE EMBANKMENT WITHOUT ANY DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT. I WALKED AWAY FROM IT BUT AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT HYUNDAI HAS MARKETED THIS CAR TOWARDS THE YOUNGER "INVINVIBLE" GENERATION WHO DO NOT REALIZE THESE TIRES AREN'T MADE FOR FAST DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHY THE ANTILOCK BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR IS AT BROWN AUTOMOTIVE AND IS STILL AWAITING REPAIR. I HAVE INFORMED THE INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT THE BRAKES AND WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THIS REPORT WHEN I GET WORD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10055193
5,000 miles · Jan 29, 2004
Power Train
CLUTCH WENT OUT AT 5,000 MILES AND 3 MONTHS OLD. DEALER WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY. SAYS DRIVING CLUTCH WRONG? COST $2,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10055137
19,000 miles · Jan 27, 2004
Power Train
THE CLUTCH SLIPPED AND FAILED TO GO INTO GEAR. THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND FLY WHEEL HAD BURNED UP. *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Hyundai Tiburon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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