MYRModel Year Report

2003 Hyundai Tiburon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Hyundai Tiburon
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
328
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

52% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 36 complaints 1997 1998: 26 complaints 1999: 26 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2001: 36 complaints 2001 2002: 2 complaints 2003: 328 complaints 2003 328 2004: 82 complaints 2005: 43 complaints 2005 2006: 64 complaints 2007: 42 complaints 2007 2008: 19 complaints
1997: 36 complaints 1997 1998: 26 complaints 1998 1999: 26 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2001 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 328 complaints 2003 328 2004: 82 complaints 2004 2005: 43 complaints 2005 2006: 64 complaints 2006 2007: 42 complaints 2007 2008: 19 complaints 2008
1997: 36 complaints 1997 1998: 26 complaints 1998 1999: 26 complaints 1999 2000: 58 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2001 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 328 complaints 2003 328 2004: 82 complaints 2004 2005: 43 complaints 2005 2006: 64 complaints 2006 2007: 42 complaints 2007 2008: 19 complaints 2008

2003: 328 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199736
199826
199926
200058
200136
20022
2003328
200482
200543
200664
200742
200819

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

52% · 172 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

This report is being filed by an accident reconstructionist at the request of the vehicle's insurance carrier.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-28

Also filed under Air bags and structure

Air bags

22% · 71 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicles hood popped up while driving which caused an accident. The driver and passenger air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-09

The vehicle was involved in an accident and the air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-28

Electrical system

11% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving to my brother place when a wire started to smoke and cought on fire from under the steering wheel it was smokey where I could not see from the smoke and I hit a parked car front windshield shattered and my airbag did not exposed at...

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-10-28

Also filed under Engine and steering

Consumer states his daughter had an head on impact with another auto and her air bags did not deploy. Driver was traveling approx 35 MPH. Driver was injuried, she hurt her head and neck.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-02

Seat belts

8% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

5% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing turn signal and headlights.

FIRE

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-03-04Unknown or other02V044000 On certain passenger vehicles, the left lower instrument panel bracket was not installed.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 328 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2003-03-24Seat belts02V290000 On certain passenger vehicles, the driver seat belt buckle wiring could be damaged by interference with the driver seat cushion height adjuster mechanism.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2003-09-23Seat belts03V290000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2003-10-13Service brakes, hydraulic03V257000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2003-10-13Air bags03V321000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2004-01-22Service brakes, hydraulic03V496000 On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2004-06-30Fuel system, gasoline04V178000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2004-10-05Fuel system, gasoline04V369000 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.…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-07-17Suspension09V125000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Hyundai Tiburon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 172 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 71 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 35 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V044000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 02V290000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V290000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V257000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 03V321000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V496000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 04V178000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 04V369000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09V125000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.