Hyundai Tiburon Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Hyundai Tiburon options? We analyzed 9 model years (2000–2008) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Hyundai Tiburon has 485 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls across model years 2000–2008. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2003 drew the most complaints; 2002 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Tiburon
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2008 (9 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 485
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Crash-related complaints
- 57
- Fire-related complaints
- 8
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2003 (328 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2002 (8 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Hyundai Tiburon: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe HYUNDAI TIBURON has 485 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 57 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 485 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 2 federal recall campaigns
- 57 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
2 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2008. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 485 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
485 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
While driving over speed bump, rear subframe broke due to rust and corrosion causing unstable steering and control.
This vehicle was in a hit-and-run accident on the highway. It hit the wall going 65mph and the airbags did not deploy causing me to have a spinal injury, bruised ribs, a cracked sternum, a concussion, and a fractured metatarsal. after the first collision, the car rolled back and hit the wall a second time which the airbags still did not deploy. It is totaled and in the hands of State Farm.
CLUTCH WENT OUT, I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND THE CLUTCH WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR THEN JUST WENT OUT. THIS IS NOT DUE TO DRIVER . I WAS DRIVING LUCKILY AT 30MPH WHEN IT WAS LIKE IT HAD NO GEAR SHIFT AT ALL HAD TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE AND HAVE IT TOWED.
HARMONIC BALANCER SHEDDED CAUSING THE CAMSHAFT TO BREAK STALLING OUT WHILE TRYING TO ENTER A HIGHWAY RAMP.THE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE PARTIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND RAMP TO ENTER CAUSING A CLOSE CALL FROM BEHIND.A CAR WAS SPEEDING UP TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO LOCK UP HIS BREAKS ALMOST SMASHING INTO ME AT A VERY HIGH SPEED THE A TRUCK NEARLY STRUCK ME ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO PREVENT CRASHING INTO ME AT 70 MPH. I HAD NO WARNING. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT EVER WARNED ME OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR ,FORE I WOULD HAVE SERVICED IT IMMEDIATELY .I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT THE COMPUTER MAYBE WAS NOT SENDING THE CORRECT CODES TO THE WARNING INDICATORS. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM I ALMOST HAD A HIGH SPEED CRASH WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I DID NOT TAKE ANY PICTURES I WAS TO SHAKEN UP AND NOBODY STOPPED TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION. I THEN FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO START AND LIMPED IT OF THE HIGHWAY AND THEN HOME AS I LIVED VERY CLOSE BY. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER AND HAD MY CAR TOWED THERE AT MY OWN EXPENSE . THEN A FEW DAY'S LATER THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED ME AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NO WARNING OF ANY KIND INFORMED ME OF THE DANGER. THEY DID SAY IT WOULD COST ME $1,200.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOT TO MENTION THE COST OF THE TOW $85.00 .MY CAR IS AT "RED MCCOMBS HYUNDAI N.W. 1366 IH-10 WEST SAN ANTONIO,TX. 78249 " (844)218-7288 WHERE IT WILL SET UNTIL THE MATTER IS DEALT WITH. I HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY FOR THE FIX . I AM ON DISABILITY AND A SENIOR CITIZEN AT 58 YR.'S OF AGE AND NEED MY CAR TO SEE MY DOCTORS
I'VE A 2007 HYUNDAU TIBURON SE,6SPEED MANUAL WITH 43,XXX MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED 12/2014 WITH 5,500 MILES ON IT ,WAS TOLD BY BOB KING MECHANICS, THAT THE CLUCH SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BEFORE I PAID 14,000 FOR (MAJOR FACTOR IN BUYING !!! ). AFTER BK MECHANIC DROVE MY CAR ( 08/26/17 ), (I WAS DRIVING WHEN FLYWHEEL PROBEM HAPPENED) , WAS TOLD THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL WASN'T REPLACED (DUE TO NO SIGNS OF WEAR, THOUGH WEARS CAN NOT BE SEEN TO THE EYE), AND MECHANICS ARE TAUGHT, IF A MAJOR PART OF AN ENGINE IS ALREADY OPEN/PULLED APART TO REPLACE ALL COMPNENTS!!!!! I WENT TO AUTOMOTIVE TECH (2 YRS , 2010-12)AND WAS TAUGHT THAT!!!! BOB KING WANTS TO CHARGE ME $1,700 FOR LABOR 700 & 1000 FOR FLYWHEEL( THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! ). GOT A QUOTE FROM L&R TRANSMISSIONS FOR 1,250 AND WAS TOLD DUE TO DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ISSUES, HYUNDAI WENT TO SINGLE FLYWHEEL ( THAT'S REPLACING THE ENTIRE CLUTCH SYSTEM !!! ). I AM HAVING TO REFINANCE MY PAID OFF HYUNDAI TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE!!! THANK YOU
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2007 HYUNDIA TIBURON, ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL IT'S STEARING CAPABILITY, HE HIT A SPEED LIMIT SIGN VERED OFF THE ROAD AND WENT ABOUT 50 FEET INTO THE WOODS, THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. LUCKLY MY SON IS OK, THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. WHY WOULD THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY WITH THE FRONT END IS DESTROYED AND THE FRAME IS BENT.
Read 14 more owner reports
I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE BACK WHEEL TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY....
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT, ANOTHER VEHICLE SIDESWIPED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
DRIVING FROM PARKING LOT I HEAR A LOUD CRACKING POP OVER MY HEAD. PULLED INTO A PARKING STALL TO PULL SUN VISOR BACK. THE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED,I GOT OUT TO SEE IT FROM ATOP, GLASS WAS PUSHED OUT, A BIG HOLE IN THE CENTER. I FOUND GLASS IN LARGE PIECES ON THE GROUND WHERE I FIRST HEARD THE LOUD POPPING SOUND....UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF UPDATED 10/13/2015*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL WOULD SPEW BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DIRT COULD BECOME WEDGED IN THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE SYSTEM CAUSING THE WARNING LIGHT TO BECOME ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPECTED TO BE DIAGNOSED ON A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH REMAINED ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,555. UPDATED 11/21/14*CN
THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE EVENTS, THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT OF THIS MALFUNCTION THAT IT IS BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JASPER, ALABAMA. THE FIRST TIME I PRESENTED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED THE TRANSMISSION WAS RESET AND IT RAN OK FOR A MONTH, IT WAS DURING THIS TRIP I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE WE WERE THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE THE WARRANTY OF 100,000 MILES WOULD NOT BE HONORED. AS I'VE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BARE THE BRUNT OF A LARGE REPAIR BILL FOR A TRANSMISSION OR NEW COMPUTER BRAIN. SINCE HYUNDAI CLAIMS TO HAVE THE BEST WARRANTY IN AMERICA AS LONG AS YOU ARE THE FIRST OWNER. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SITUATION UNTIL I READ THE SMALL PRINT. I WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE THREE QUESTIONS THAT ARE ASKED IN SECTION TWO. IT MAKES ME THINK THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ONLY IF SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
MY 2007 TIBURON NOW SITS INOPERATIVE NEEDING A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH AT 56,000 MILES. HYUNDAI IS NOT HONORING THEIR 100,000 MILE / 10 YEAR WARRANTY. THEIR RESPONSE IS LET US LOOK AT IT. IF YOU LOOK ON THE INTERNET, MOST PEOPLES' TIBURON'S BEGIN HAVING CLUTCH PROBLEMS EVEN EARLIER THAN MINE. PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION (MANY, READ COMMENTS ONLINE BY TYPING IN TIBURON CLUTCH PROBLEM). PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION ARE BEING TOLD THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A CLUTCH, AND ALSO MANY PEOPLE SAY AFTER REPLACING THE CLUTCH TO REMOVE THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER DELAY VALVE AND SPRING AND THE CLUTCH WILL OPERATE BETTER. MANY ONLINE AGREED WITH THAT. I HAVE E-MAILS THAT SHOW MY CONVERSATIONS WITH HYUNDAI IN WHICH HYUNDAI SAYS THEY WILL HONOR THE 1000,000 MILE / 10 YEAR WARRANTY IF THE CLUTCH APPEARS TO HAVE THE WEAR OF A 1 YEAR OLD CLUTCH. NOONE CAN POSSIBLY MEET THAT CONDITION, AND ONLINE YOU WILL SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TIBURON CLUTCHES FAILING EARLY, AND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE PERSON THE DRIVER IS BLAMED.IF YOU GIVE ME AN E-MAIL ADDRESS I WILL SEND YOU ALL THERE E-MAILS TO PROVE WHAT I AM TELLING YOU. ARE YOU MY SALVATION, OR IS SMALL CLAIMS COURT THE ANSWER? WHAT DO I DO TO NOT HAVE THEM BLAME ME AND THEN "REPAIR" TO ORIGINAL SPECS WITH THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH TYPE, AS MANY PEOPLE ONLINE THAT DID THIS HAVE HAD A SECOND FAILURE ABOUT 20,000 TO 40,000 MILES LATER. THE CONFORMITY OF PEOPLES STORY CONCERNING HYUNDAIS RESPONSE TELLS ME IT IS A STANDARDIZED RESPONSE. I NEED THEM TO COVER FOR AN UPGRADED CLUTCH (THE AFTERMARKET CLUTCHES ARE SAID TO BE SUPERIOR) AND I NEED A REPAIR PERSON WHO WILL AGREE TO NOT REINSTALL THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER DELAY VALVE AND SPRING, WHICH HYUNDAI WILL PROBABLY NOT DO. WITH THIS REMAINING AS PART OF THE CLUTCH, ALL THE MECHANICS ONLINE SAID THE PROBLEM WILL REPEAT. *TR
I HIT A CEMENT BARRIER MY CAR FLIPPED I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIT MY HEAD MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I ALREADY HAD THE AIRBAG FIXED ONCE IN THIS CAR. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. I HAD JUST CALLED HYUNDAI TWO DAYS BEFORE TO TELL THEM I HAD READ NUMEROUS THINGS ON LINE WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG IN MY YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. THEY TOLD ME IF I WANTED IT FIXED THEY WOULD CHARGE ME ANOTHER 100 DOLLARS. THEY KNEW OF THIS DEFECT AND NEVER TOLD ANYONE. THEY COULD HAVE PREVENTED SOME OF MY INJURIES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT SECURE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UTILIZE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY CLUTCH FAILED WAS ABLE TO REENGAGE BY PUSHING ENGINE TO 6,000 RPM. *TR
I BOUGHT THIS 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON IN AUGUST OF 2010 WITH 39,400 MILES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH WITHIN 1,500 MILES. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THAT WAS THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OR NOT. AT 62,100 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL AGAIN AT A COST OF $1,866.00. I 'M 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE DRIVEN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A CLUTCH BEFORE. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST HYUNDAI FOR THE FAILURE OF THIS PART IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THEY DO NOT HAVE TO RECALL THIS MODEL AND REPLACE THESE FAULTY CLUTCHES AND FLYWHEELS. *TR
I LOVE MY LITTLE TIBERON. IT HAS BEEN THE ONLY NEW CAR I EVER HAD OR PROBABLY EVER WILL HAVE. I AM OVER 50 YEARS OLD AND BEEN DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOREVER. SO WHEN THIS CLUTCH STARTED TO ACT UP, I STARTED TO CALL IN TO THE DEALERS. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. NOTHING UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WANTED OVER $2000 TO EVEN START LOOKING AT IT. THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT IF THE FLYWHEEL WAS DAMAGED IT WOULD BE OVER $900 FOR THE PART ALONE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING! AND NONE OF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I STARTED LOOKING AT TRADE IN AND BLUE BOOK VALUES. BUT I AM ATTACHED TO THIS CUTE LITTLE CAR THAT MY DYING HUSBAND LOVED TO TEASE ME ABOUT, SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC I TRUSTED. RESULT: THE CLUTCH IS FINE, STILL SHOWS 50000 PROBABLY STILL AVAILABLE. VALVES AND CONNECTORS ARE FINE. FLYWHEEL IS UNSCRATCHED AND SMOOTH BUT TOTALLY BROKEN. I HAVE THE PART. I CAN SHOW YOU. IN THE COLLAR WHERE THE DUAL MASS IS CONNECTED IT IS FRACTURED AND SNAPPED. MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE PART TO BREAK THERE UNLESS IT WAS BAD. AFTER RESEARCHING IT HE TOLD ME IT WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL WAS POORLY DESIGNED. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN AFFORD A NEW DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL. THE SHOP SAID THERE WAS A LAWSUIT OUT THERE TO HELP WITH REPAIRS DUE TO THIS DEFECT BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO CONNECT WITH IT. I FOUND WHERE THERE IS LOTS OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2003 TIBERON LAWSUIT. DO YOU KNOW IF THERE IS A LAWSUIT REGARDING THE 2007 TIBERON FLYWHEEL? HOW CAN I GET MY NAME ONTO IT? *TR
Showing 20 of 485 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Hyundai Tiburon
These pages show model-year patterns across 9 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Hyundai Tiburon, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Hyundai Tiburon has 485 complaints on record across 9 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Hyundai Tiburon has 2 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 57 of the Hyundai Tiburon's 485 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Hyundai Tiburon vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Hyundai Tiburon vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Hyundai Tiburon has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Hyundai Tiburon by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Hyundai Tiburon.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Hyundai Tiburon reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
Poor. The Hyundai Tiburon has 485 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Hyundai Tiburon years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2003 (328 complaints), 2006 (64 complaints), 2005 (43 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Hyundai Tiburon problems?
Top reported issues: POWER TRAIN (245 complaints); AIR BAGS (99 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (38 complaints).
Does the Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Hyundai Tiburon. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.