2003 Hyundai Tiburon
The Verdict
The 2003 Hyundai Tiburon has 328 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (158 complaints) and electrical (95 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 41/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Hyundai Tiburon, consider the 2002 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2002 has 97% fewer complaints
View the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 4
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 INSTRU...
Risk
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 T...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 WIRIN...
Risk
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 BEG...
Reported May 8, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET WAS NOT INSTALLED.
Risk
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 NOT...
Reported Aug 2, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.
Risk
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 (CA...
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 BE...
Reported May 11, 2002
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
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Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, gasoline started spilling from the filler neck. The contact stated that the vehicle was refueling very slowly. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 04V178000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the interior door handles had detached from the vehicle The ABS warning light was also illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer who replaced the fuel tank; however, the other repairs were not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE GOING TO TURN THE BATTERY OFF UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO THE DRIVER HAZARD LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING, THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER WIRING HARNESS CAUSED THE FIRE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED WINNER HYUNDAI (591 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901) WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,641.
VAPOR PURGE CANISTER MALFUNCTION FRONT END FAILURE BAD GASKETS
I WAS DRIVING TO MY BROTHER PLACE WHEN A WIRE STARTED TO SMOKE AND COUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL IT WAS SMOKEY WHERE I COULD NOT SEE FROM THE SMOKE AND I HIT A PARKED CAR FRONT WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT EXPOSED AT ALL. IT WAS ON A CITY STREET NO ONE GOT HURT JUST THE CAR
IN MOTION ON CITY STREET
THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR IS ON PERMANENTLY. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. IT IS CAUSED BY A WIRING PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE UNDER THE SEAT.I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I REPLACED THE SEATBELT BUCKLE AND WITHIN A MONTH THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BACK ON.
BAD BODY CONTROL MODULE. TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHERS DON'T WORK. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. ALL FUSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL NO TURN SIGNALS OR FLASHERS. IT'S A RELAY BAD IN THE BCM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE FOLSOM LAKE AND ROSEVILLE HYUNDAI DEALERS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9607148. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
WHEN PUMPING GAS THE PUMP CONSTANTLY CLICKS OFF AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO PUT THE GAS IN. VERY STRONG RAW WET GAS SMELL INSIDE AND OUT SIDE OF THE CAR . FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS ON CLEANING CHARCOAL CANISTER THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS THERE AND THE GAS PROBLEMS CONTINUE. THE SMELL IS NOTICED AFTER DRIVING AND DURING IDLE. *TR
CROSSMEMBER OR CRADLE BADLY CORRODED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 02V290000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 03V321000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING ROUTING WAS AN ISSUE WITH AIR BAG LIGHT NUMBER- 03-01-002 AND WAS RECALLED IN 2003. THE SAME ISSUE HAS ARISEN WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRE ROUTING. THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS NOW ENABLED THE AIR BAG LIGHT, WHICH DISABLES THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING - EVEN IF THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE OR NO WEIGHT ON THE SEAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V125000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DEALER COATED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WITH WAX. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,356.
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON DOOR HANDLES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CONSTANTLY BREAK OFF EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED BY FACTORY PARTS LEAVING OCCUPANTS TRAPPED IN CAR ALSO REPLACED CAMSHAFT CONTOLLER CAUSE WIRING IS MELTING. CONTACTED BRANDON HYUNDAI DEALER SERVICE DEPT THEY TOLD ME HANDLES HAD BEEN ALREADY REPLACED BEFORE AND REFUSED TO REPAIR ALSO THEY LIED AND TOLD ME THERE WERE NO FURTHER RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE BUT WHEN I GOOGLED THERE ARE ACTUALLY AROUND 10 RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO FIX OR EVEN ADMIT THERE IS A RECALL..MY CONTROL ARMS NEED REPLACING ALSO.
TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY THE SEAT BELT AND WIRING THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER CHECKING THE RECALL INFORMATION, THERE WAS A RECALL (056) UNDER CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V290000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND SPOKE WITH THEIR REP AND SHE SAID THE SAME EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL INCLUDES 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURONS. THIS FIX WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $400.00 JUST TO PASS INSPECTION. MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT WAS DONE ON VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER MARCH 2003 THAT WAS CLAIMED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, CONSIDERING SO MANY TIBURONS THAT WERE PRODUCED AFTER THIS DATE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I CURRENTLY OWN 3 HYUNDAIS, VERY DISAPPOINTED AS THIS CAR HAS ONLY 79961 MILES. UPDATED 09/15/15*LJ *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY AUTOMATICD TRUNK RELEASE NOT WORK AS WELL AS MY DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW NOT WORKING. MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS 12 YEARS OLD, HOWEVER IT ONLY HAS 64,000. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER TIBURON OWNERS WHO HAVE AND ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I SEE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS WE HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL SALVAGE PLACES TO LOOK FOR A MOTOR AND THE TIBURONS WHICH WERE ON PROPERTY ALL HAD THE WINDOW MOTORS SOLD ALREADY. THIS MADE ME WONDER IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE POWER WINDOW ISSUE. ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY ISSUES. *TR
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
BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS SOME TIMES WORK. I HAVE TO PULL ON THEM TO GO UP MOST OF THE TIME AND THEY GET STUCK ROLLED ALL THE WAY UP SOME TIMES. ALSO THE REAR WIPER BLADE MOTOR DOES NOT WORK AND THE WASHER FLUID MOTOR DOSE NOT WORK. *TR
FIRST INCIDENT: BLOWER MOTOR FOR HEAT QUIT WORKING. FOUND CONNECTOR (CLIMATE CONTROL SIDE) HAD MELTED REPLACED WITH USED CLIMATE CONTROL. NOVEMBER 2010. BLOWER MOTOR HAD QUIT WORKING AGAIN FOUND SAME CONNECTOR AS WELL AS BODY HARNESS SIDE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED. REPLACED WITH USED HARNESS AND CLIMATE CONTROL. NOVEMBER 2010 TO DECEMBER 2014 VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STAY ON WHEN LIGHTS WERE SHUT OFF. JANUARY 26 2015 WHILE DRIVING DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, TAIL LIGHTS, WINDOWS, TURN SIGNALS. INTERMITTENTLY TURNING OFF AND ON. FOUND CLIMATE CONTROL HARNESS SIDE MELTED AGAIN, ALSO BODY CONTROL MODULE AND POWER WIRE TO HAVE MELTED. AFTER SEARCHING THESE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS MELTING APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH MY PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS HIGH MILEAGE AND IS OLDER THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO STRETCH BACK TO WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE NEW, EARLIEST OCCASION I FOUND WAS 2005. *TR
328 total