2002 Hyundai Tiburon: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2002 Hyundai Tiburon? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 8 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2002 Hyundai Tiburon Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2002 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. 4 trims analysed.
2002 Hyundai Tiburon Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon has 8 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Tiburon
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 8
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Most Common 2002 Hyundai Tiburon Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Airbag Malfunctions
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Airbag Malfunctions, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2002 Hyundai Tiburon?
The 2002 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 2002 Hyundai Tiburon
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission and drivetrain for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for airbag systems.
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and suspension components.
- Have a mechanic perform a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect transmission and drivetrain for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for airbag systems.
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and suspension components.
- Have a mechanic perform a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 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
Based on the limited data for the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon, complaints are concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain and airbag systems, each with two reports. One crash-related complaint was noted, but the overall sample is too small to draw firm conclusions.
- Transmission/drivetrain and airbag malfunctions each account for 2 of the 8 total complaints.
- Only one model year (2002) was analyzed, with 8 complaints and 4 recalls.
- One crash-related complaint was reported.
- Transmission / Drivetrain issues
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Engine Problems
All 2002 Hyundai Tiburon Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 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 2002 Hyundai Tiburon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
CLUTCH WAS SLOW TO ENGAGE; SLIPPING. SERVICE PEOPLE AT THE DEALER SAID CLUTCH WAS NO GOOD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 29,700 MILES. THE NEW CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL PLUS LABOR COST ME OVER $1600. *TR
WE HAD PURCHASE A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE ON 07/05/05 MOTOR WAY AUTO GROUP. THE CAR STARTED TO RIDE ROUGH. SO WE TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR GUY, AT THIS TIME WE THOUGH IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. BEFORE HE COULD CHECK ANYTHING I TOOK MY CAR HOME AND IT JUST STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. …
SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE HYUNDAI SONATA HAD THEM BOTH REPLACED WITH LOW MILEAGE, PROBLEM IS BEING OVER LOOKED BECAUSE WITH THE 100,000 WARRANTY NOBODY EVER FILES A COMPLAINT , THEY JUST REPLACE THEM , THIS PROBLEM IS THERE ,REPLACED THE RIGHT …
THE CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED 2 MAJOR RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST FOR THE ECM (V02) AND THE SECOND FOR THE FUEL VALVE (O66). THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *NM *SC
WENT TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT, FRONT BALL JOINT AND ARM WERE LOOSE. CONSEQUENTLY, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CAR WAS UNBALANCED THE TREADS ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE BALD - SO OI HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ALSO. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIV…
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE PRODUCED A BUBBLE. HOWEVER, THE SECOND AND THIRD TIRES PRODUCED THE SAME BUBBLES. *AK *LA
WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD GONE TO THE LEFT AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED UPON IMPACT. ALSO, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *SCC THE C ONSUMER BELIVED THERE WAS A PROBLE…
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon.
2002 Hyundai Tiburon Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2002 Hyundai Tiburon Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 8 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 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 2002 Hyundai Tiburon?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (2 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (2 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (1 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 8 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Hyundai Tiburon?▾
The 2002 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 Transmission / Drivetrain 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 2002 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.