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2003 Hyundai Tiburon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tiburon years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 39.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

264 reports with mileage · 64 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports7 fire reports16 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

71 reports
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9,000 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER THE CONSUMER BUMPED A DIVIDER IN THE ROAD, AT 30 MPH WITH THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SENT WRITTEN GUIDELINES ON AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, STATING THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IF THAT WAS THE SIDE STRUCK. *AK *SC *…

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THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER THE CONSUMER BUMPED A DIVIDER IN THE ROAD, AT 30 MPH WITH THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SENT WRITTEN GUIDELINES ON AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, STATING THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IF THAT WAS THE SIDE STRUCK. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110933

29,000 miles · Feb 15, 2005
Air BagsCrash

FRONT END COLLISION DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, PASSANGER SIDE DID, WIRE HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE AT FIREWALL.

NHTSA ODI #10110583

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2005
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111258

35,769 miles · Jan 30, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT ON I-75 NEAR RICHMOND, KY.. I HIT A GUARD RAIL HEAD ON WHILE AVOIDING ANOTHER CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT. INJURIES WERE HEAD, NECK , AND BACK. TREATED AND RELEASED IN HOSPITAL E R .*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108268

17,000 miles · Nov 8, 2004
Air BagsCrash

LOW-SPEED COLLISION WITH THE FRONT END, DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2003 HYUNDAI-TIBURON RESULTED IN ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098435

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR THE PASSENGER OF IN THE VEHICLE WAS INJURED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10089132

10,500 miles · Jul 8, 2004
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER SERVICED THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMERS WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10081560

16,000 miles · Jun 15, 2004
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AS WELL AS THE MANUFACTURER, HOWEVER, NEITHER IS WILLING TO ASSIST THE DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10076255

7 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH INCLUDED THE POWER WINDOWS, AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS MATTER, HOWEVER, DEALER REFUSED TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONSUMER. *AK THE AIR BAD FAILED DURING A CRASH AND THE SUN ROOF MALFUNCTIONED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064657

3,800 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IT SCARED THE DRIVER, AND SHE MADE A QUICK RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE HIT THE CURB, AND BROKE THE RIM ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059294

Official recalls

9

09V125000 · Suspension:front:control Arm

Apr 16, 2009

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

04V369000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

Jul 26, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

04V178000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Apr 9, 2004

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V496000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 3, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V321000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 26, 2003

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 INSTRUMENT PANEL'S PADDED SURFACE DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP PAD. THESE TEAR LINES ALLOW A PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACE TO FOLD UPWARD IF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AT 1-800-633-5151, OR IF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO, HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

03V290000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Aug 5, 2003

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 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 (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. 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 (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-899-981-0188.

03V257000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jul 22, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE REAR BRAKE TUBES COULD CONTACT BOTH STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

02V290000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Nov 5, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. 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 BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

02V044000 · Unknown Or Other

Feb 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET WAS NOT INSTALLED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 4, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.