Model year
2003 Hyundai Tiburon
NHTSA lists 9 recalls and 328 complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY (123), AIR BAGS (41), POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION (33). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 58 complaints
- 2001 36 complaints
- 2002 2 complaints
- 2003 328 complaints
- 2004 82 complaints
- 2005 43 complaints
- 2006 64 complaints
- 2007 42 complaints
- 2008 19 complaints
Recalls
09V125000 · Apr 16, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
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,…
04V369000 · Jul 26, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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,…
04V178000 · Apr 9, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
03V496000 · Dec 3, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
03V321000 · Aug 26, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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…
03V290000 · Aug 5, 2003
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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…
03V257000 · Jul 22, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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…
02V290000 · Nov 5, 2002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.
02V044000 · Feb 8, 2002
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET WAS NOT INSTALLED.
Complaints
328 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 33, fire flag on 7, injury field 21, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiburon · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Tiburon · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Tiburon · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Tiburon · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Tiburon · 2.7L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Tiburon · 2.7L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Hyundai Tiburon at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.