2001 Hyundai Tiburon: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2001 Hyundai Tiburon? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 36 complaints, with Seat Belt Issues as the top reported area.
2001 Hyundai Tiburon Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2001 Hyundai Tiburon trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon has 36 owner complaints, 6 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Seat Belt Issues. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Tiburon
- Model year
- 2001
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 36
- Crash-related complaints
- 6
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Seat Belt Issues
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 24
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 21 / 29
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
Most Common 2001 Hyundai Tiburon Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Seat Belt Issues
Airbag Malfunctions
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Seat Belt Issues, Airbag Malfunctions, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2001 Hyundai Tiburon?
The 2001 Hyundai Tiburon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
Inspection Focus
- Inspect seat belt operation and check for any recalls related to seat belts.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and drivetrain repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on brakes and hydraulic systems.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect seat belt operation and check for any recalls related to seat belts.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and drivetrain repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on brakes and hydraulic systems.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2001 Hyundai Tiburon, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon are concentrated in seat belt and airbag issues, each with 8 reports, followed by transmission/drivetrain problems. Crash-related complaints total 6, and there is 1 recall. The data suggests potential concerns with safety restraint systems and drivetrain reliability.
- Seat belt and airbag issues each account for 8 complaints, the highest among components.
- Transmission/drivetrain problems are reported in 7 complaints.
- Crash-related complaints number 6 out of 36 total.
- Seat Belt Issues
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Transmission / Drivetrain
All 2001 Hyundai Tiburon Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 8 | 6 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE NOISE LEVEL INCREASED. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2010 UNDER …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING UNRELATED SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT I…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED SINCE SHE WAS UNABLE TO RETRACT THEM. IT TOOK HER APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE ATTEMPTS BEFORE SHE COULD FULLY EXTEND THE SEAT BELTS IN ORDER TO SECUREL…
2001 HYUNDAI TIBURON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A ROTTEN/RUSTED CROSS MEMBER *TGW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM A HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS INFORMED THE CLAIM WOULD NOT BE ADDRESSED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND ALLOW THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME LOOSE. THE SEAT BELT FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGES …
SEAT BELTS DO NOT EXTEND PROPERLY ON MY 2001 HYUNDAI TIBURON. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND MY LOCAL SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXISTING RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED IN 2001 DESPITE THIS VEHICLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL #…
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR DIED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.. MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIED... THEN IN NOVEMEBER OF 2006 REPLACED CONVERTER ONCE AGAIN, THEN APRIL OF 2007 REPLACED CONVERTER AGAIN, REPLACE 4 O2 SENSORS THEN MARCH 2008 REPLACED CONVERT…
THE DRIVER & PASSENGER SEATBELTS JAM IN THE BELT D-RING ALL THE TIME. RECALL 01-01-006 DOES NOT COVER MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I HAVE 4 TRANSMISSION REPAIRS FOR MY HYUNDAI TIBURON: 05/28/04 JIM BURKE HYUNDAI SERVICE INVOICE COMMENTS: ?CUSTOMER STATES TRANSAXLE WILL NOT SHIFT ? STAYS IN 3RD GEAR ? STATES HAS BEEN ADVISED NEEDS TCM REPLACED ? CHECK TRANSAXLE OPERATION AND CO…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL # 01V345000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE NOT HONORING THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 82,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD TAPPING NOISE, ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING. I HAD A FRIEND THAT WORKS ON CARS LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT WAS VALVE TAPPING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE USED SOME OIL TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY BUT SAID PROBLEM WILL CONT…
ALL 4 WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT APPROX. 40,000 MILES. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER. I NOW HAVE APPROX. 72,000 MILES AND HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 BEARING AGAIN PLUS 1 FRONT AND 1 REAR A THIRD TIME. TOTAL OF 14 BEARINGS INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL. *JB
WHEEL BEARING, CALIPER AND BRAKE LINE FAILURE. *JB
CLUTCH IS GOING OUT, 5 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS IS ALSO GOING TO IT WOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY FROM WHEN IT WAS FIRST BOUGHT. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND SLID INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE FRONT END WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. TWO OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE POLICE AND THE MANUFACTURER DETER…
2001 TIBURON HAS HAD REPEATED (6) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER ONLY 1700 MILES AND HAS CONTINUED TO FAIL PERIODICALLY. DEALERS WILL ONLY GO SO FAR AS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT HAVE NEVER TRIED TO FIND WHY THEY ARE FAILING. IT IS VERY DANGERO…
EVERYTIME I USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE IT FREEZES. I HAD IT TOWED INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP & THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WASN'T HAPPENING WHILE IN THEIR POSSESSION. SO, I LEFT MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A REGIONAL MANAGER WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE MY REPAIR BECAUS…
I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY TIBURON AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. WE WERE TRAVELING ON OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY 59 AND SPEED LIMIT WAS 65 MPH. A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH THE REAR OF AN EXTREMELY LARGE FARM TRACTOR AT A SPEED ESTIMATED BY THE INVESTIGATING STATE POLICEMAN AT 25-30 MPH. WE WERE BOTH…
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A TRACTOR FROM THE REAR, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT KEEP THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER IN POSITION, THROWING THEM FORWARD. *AK
FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID CAUSE WAS A FUEL LEAK. CAR HAD REG. MAINTANCE AND NO ACCIDENTS.*AK
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon.
2001 Hyundai Tiburon Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2001 Hyundai Tiburon Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 36 owner complaints, 6 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2001 Hyundai Tiburon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon?▾
#1: Seat Belt Issues (8 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (8 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (7 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon, NHTSA complaints include 6 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 36 total complaints. 7 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon. A major recall area is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2001 Hyundai Tiburon?▾
The 2001 Hyundai Tiburon shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Seat Belt Issues during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Tiburon reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.