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2004 Hyundai Tiburon

The Verdict

78 Solid Pick

The 2004 Hyundai Tiburon has 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (39 complaints) and electrical (30 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 78/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Hyundai Tiburon, consider the 2002 model year which has 90% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2002 has 90% fewer complaints

View the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon dashboard →

78

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

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.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200021219142
2001135855
200231112
20034449527158
20048330239
20051139317
20061128142
20078113317
2008411202

By Category

Transmission
39
Electrical
30
Body
8
Brakes
3
Engine
2

By Severity

1
38
2
32
3
1
4
10
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Transmission 2

CLUTCH RECALL, POWERTRAIN RECALL, MASTER CYLINDER RECALL, SLAVE CYLINDER RECALL. WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AFTER A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE CAR I PUSHED THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO SHIFT, AND THE PEDAL DID NOT COME BACK UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO BRING IT BACK UP TO SHIFT IT FINALLY CAME BACK. WHEN SHIFTING AGAIN THE CAR DIED INSTANTLY, AND AFTER THE CAR WAS OFF I COULD SHIFT TO ANY GEARS. WHEN TURNING THE CAR BACK ON IN NEUTRAL THE CAR TURNED ON, BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO FIRST IT WOULD PUSH ITSELF FORWARD AND DIE. TRYING TO START THE CAR IN FIRST WOULD TAKE OFF BUT YOU COULD ONLY PUT IT BACK TO NEUTRAL. AFTER TAKING IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS I CHANGED THE SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDER, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. TO MY SURPRISE THE CLUTCH AND DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL, CLUTCH, SHIFT FORK WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

98mo ago
Electrical 1

MY CAR TURN ON THE AIR BAG, ALL THE TIME, I TAKE TO THE DEALER UNTIL THE WARRANTY WAS ACTIVE, AFTER THE THIRD YEAR THEY SAID THAT THIS DON'T HAVE NO MORE WARRANTY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT STEEL ON ALL THE TIME.

114mo ago
Electrical 4

MY WIFE WAS IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. MY WIFE GOT WHIPLASH FROM THE ACCIDENT. READING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I'M ALMOST GLAD THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE HER INJURY COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH THEIR AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY.

121mo ago
Transmission 1

STEERING WILL NOT STAY IN NO MORE THEN 6 MOUTHS AND ALMOST INSTEAD THEY GO OUT .ON ALIGNMENTS . IT HAS BEEN GOING ON SEENS THIS CAR

135mo ago
Transmission 1

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. DJR

142mo ago
Electrical 2

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS WILL NOT PROPERLY WORK OR WORK AT ALL WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON. WHY SHOULDN'T THE 2004 MODEL BE INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL SINCE ALL OTHER TIBURON YEARS EXCEPT FOR 2004 WERE RECALLED? *TR

142mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS TURNED ON. THE BATTERY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AS LONG AS THE TURN SIGNAL FUSE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACING. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 122,000.

148mo ago
Body 1

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. HAVE PICTURES. SON DRIVING CAR ON OUR DRIVEWAY AND CAR STARTED MAKING NOISE AND STARTED PULLING HARD TO THE LEFT. DROVE BACK TO HOUSE TO INSPECT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVERS SIDE HAD RUSTED APART ALLOWING TIRE TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE. CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, WITH MANY INVOLVING CRASHES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF IT HAPPENS AT ROAD SPEED. LUCKY FOR US IT WAS ON OUR DRIVEWAY. *TR

149mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS TIGHTENED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

150mo ago
Electrical 2

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE REMAINING ON; SEATBELT AND BUCKLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE REPLACED. EIGHT MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROCESS OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. *JS

155mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK REACHED HALF FULL, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY AN INACCURATE READING OF EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT DECLINED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V178000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 7/8/13 *CN

160mo ago
Brakes 2

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD A BRAKE LINE REPLACED BECAUSE ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE POOR DESIGN ALLOWS FOR THE BRAKE LINE TO RUB AGAINST THE SHOCK WHICH EVENTUALLY WEARS A HOLE THROUGH THE BRAKE LINE. I'VE HAD THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHERE MY BRAKE PEDAL HAS GONE COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I'VE HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE TO KEEP ME FROM CRASHING IN EACH INSTANCE. I WORK IN THE QUALITY FIELD AND TRULY UNDERSTAND DEFECT IN DESIGN OVER WEAR AND TEAR. BRAKE LINES SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE DESIGN. I AM SURE THERE HAVE EVEN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND PERHAPS I JURIES AND FATALITIES BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN. AGAIN, I WORK IN TOY SAFETY AND QUALITY AND UNDERSTAND THAT ALTHOUGH A PRODUCT MIGHT COMPLY WITH EXISTING REGULATIONS, STILL BE A HAZARD TO A USER. *TR

160mo ago
Electrical 1

THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS DEFECTIVE SEATBELT SENSORS. THESE SEATBELT SENSORS ARE WIRED INTO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND IN THE EVENT OF A SEATBELT SENSOR SHORTING OUT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR'S AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

163mo ago
Body 2

INTERIOR POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION. UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS FROM INSIDE CAR. LOCKS OCCUPANTS IN CAR!! *TR

170mo ago
Electrical 2

HYUNDAI KNOW ABOUT AN ISSUE WITH THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AFFECTING THE AIR CONDITIONING ON THEIR TIBURONS, BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS WHEN YOU SELECT HIGHER SPEEDS OF A/C, THE CONNECTOR BEHIND THE DASHBOARD HEATS UP SO MUCH, IT MELTS THE CONNECTOR AND CAUSES THE A/C TO FAIL. HYUNDAI DOESN'T COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THEY MAKE ME BUY ANOTHER SWITCH. BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, CAUSING THE REPLACEMENT TO FAIL AS WELL. *TR

171mo ago
Electrical 2

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON - WON'T GO OFF DEALER REPLACED DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASEMBLY - LIGHT CAME BACK ON AT 70,000. *TR

176mo ago
Electrical 2

I AM ALMOST SCARED TO DRIVE MY TIBURON. I HAVE READ MANY STORIES ABOUT AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING WHEN THE LIGHT HAD BEEN SHOWING. BOTH MY TIBURON, AND MY MOTHER'S SONATA HAD THE AIRBAG LIGHT STEADILY ON. I WAS ABLE TO FIX HERS BY ADJUSTING A FEW CORDS, MINE TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO GET IT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE PROBLEM RETURNS. *TR

177mo ago
Electrical 1

ALMOST RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I STARTED EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ALARM SYSTEM WOULD RANDOMLY GO OFF AND SOMETIMES EVEN LOCK THE DOORS OF THE CAR ON IT'S OWN. WHETHER THE CAR WAS RUNNING OR NOT, WINDOWS OPEN OR SHUT, DID NOT MATTER. LATER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BURNED OUT SO ONLY THE FASTEST SETTING WORKS AND ONLY WHEN I HOLD THE KNOB UP FOR THE ONE TIME WIPE. THE WINDOW MOTOR WENT OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL. IF YOU WERE TO SLAM OR HIT THE DOOR, THE WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN, BUT NOT BACK UP UNLESS YOU PULL VERY HARD ON IT TO GET IT GOING. THE POWER STEERING HAS ALSO BEGAN TO GO OUT. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT WILL NOT STOP SQUEALING WHILE I TURN THE WHEEL AND IT IS ALMOST PULSING SO I CAN ONLY TURN THE WHEEL IN TINY INCREMENTS AT A TIME. THE STEERING SQUEAKS THE MOST WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY. *TR

178mo ago
Electrical 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHE SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND WHIPLASH. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

183mo ago
Electrical 1

RIGHT TURN SIGNAL STAYS CONSTANTLY GLOWING OUT OF NO WHERE. TURNED THE LEFT SIGNAL ON AND THE RIGHT SIGNAL CAME ON AS WELL AND STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. IT DOESN'T BLINK IT JUST STAYS GLOWING. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM MECHANICS AND OTHER DRIVER WITH THE SAME VEHICLE THAT THE RELAY INSIDE THE BCM TENDS TO GO BAD. IF IT WERE JUST A FLUKE AND IT WAS JUST MINE THAT WAS BAD I WOULD COUGH UP THE MONEY AND REPLACE IT BUT IF I FIND NUMEROUS PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THEN SEEMS LIKE HYUNDAI HAS A FAULTY PART AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, AND ALSO FUNNY HOW IF YOU ORDER THE MODULE ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THE PART NUMBER HAS CHANGED BECAUSE THEY HAVE UPDATED THAT MODULE SO THEY MUST HAVE EVEN FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE MODULE. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY PROBLEM AS IT CONFUSES DRIVERS AROUND ME BECAUSE MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS CONSTANTLY GLOWING THEN ALL THE SUDDEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS FLASHING. *TR

185mo ago

82 total

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