1997 Hyundai Tiburon Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission814.8%
- Airbags814.8%
- Visibility611.1%
- Fuel system611.1%
- Engine59.3%
- Electrical47.4%
- Seat belts47.4%
- Brakes35.6%
- Interior & seats35.6%
- Suspension23.7%
- Steering11.9%
- Exterior lighting11.9%
- Tires & wheels11.9%
- Driver assistance11.9%
- Powertrain (other)11.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
6 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED WITHIN 40,000 MILES...ALL REBUILT AND ALL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SLIPPING AND VERY HARD SHIFTING. I WOULD LIKE A TRANSMISSION THAT WORKS THE ENGINE AND ALL OTHER PARTS OF CAR ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. NOW DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP IS JUST THE WAY IT 'SMOOTHES' INTO THE NEXT GEAR. EVEN MY PASSENGERS COMMENT ON THE WAY THE CAR THE SHIFTS. I HAVE BEEN INCONVIENCED FOR AT LEAST A DAY OR MORE TO FIND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION SO THAT THEY CAN INSTALL REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS. SOME OF THE SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT HYUNDIA HAS GREAT DIFFICULTY REBUILDING TRANSMISSIONS. THE HUYNDAI REPRESETATIVE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALL TRANSMISSIONS ARE GIVING OUT BEFORE THEIR 12,000 WARRENTY EXPIRES. ALL REPALCEMENTS HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I HAVE BEEN SATISFIED WITH THEIR HONORING THE WARRENTY. MY LAST SERVICE CALL THE MANAGER KEN BEARD TOLD ME HE WOULD AGAIN CONTACT HUYNDAI AND ASK ABOUT TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND CONTACT ME BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN 3 WEEKS. I HAVE CONTACTE DTHE OWNER AND HIS CONTROLLER FRENCHETTA THOMPSON HAS ASSURED ME THAT HE WILL RETURN MY CALL THIS WEEK. I ONLY OWN ONE CAR AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEPEND ON IT TO GET TO WORK, THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE. EVEN WHEN ASKED THE DEALER REFUSES TO LET ME USE A LOANER CAR. ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I HAVE READ AN ARTICLE IN A CAR MAGAZINE STATING THAT HUYNDAI MADE MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR 2003 TRANSMISSION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING GEARS SKIP BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, AND ENGINE RACING UP. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAR BEGAN TO HEAT UP, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG CAME ON AS WELL;TOOK IT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE AIRBAG PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED AND REMAINS ON. *JB
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. LIGHT FLASHES FIRST AND THEN STAYS ON. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME GOING IN FOR REPAIRS TO DEALER IN 6MONTHS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PARKED THE CAR. GOT OUT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE AND SHUT THE DOOR. THE WINDOW SHATTERED. DOOR WAS NOT SHUT FORCEFULLY. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW OFF TRACK AND RAISES TOO HIGH. THIS MAY CAUSE WINDOW TO SHATTER ALSO. I BELIEVE THIS MAY HAVE BEEN WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED AND LEAKED FLUID LEAKED, WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH HOOD/DOOR WINDOW /LOCKS AND HANDLES, AS WELL AS HEADREST STAYING IN ONE POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), THERE WAS A PERSISTENT STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BACK SEAT TO INSPECT THE ACCESS PORT FOR THE FUEL TANK AND DISCOVERED A 4 INCH FRACTURE ON THE STEEL FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER TO INFORM THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE DEALER DECLINED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 243,420.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V095002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE INSPECTION THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INSPECTION PERFORMED UNDER THE PRIOR RECALL, SO THE VEHICLE WAS DENIED A FREE REMEDY REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH OR OVER VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT INDICATIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURHTER INFORMATON. *AK
WHEN DRIVIHG AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE IS STALLING AND JERKING AND THE CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER WITHIN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, BRAKES WENT OUT, AND THE GAS WENT OUT. MANUFACTUREER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAR BEGAN TO HEAT UP, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG CAME ON AS WELL;TOOK IT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE AIRBAG PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED AND REMAINS ON. *JB
CONNSUMER STATED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON FRONT SEAT BELT. *AK
ALL FOUR SEAT BELTS; DRIVER/ FRONT PASSENGER, AND TWO REAR ONES WILL NOT RETRACT AFTER BEING PULLED OUT, WHICH WILL NOT HOLD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH AND COMING OFF RAMP WHEN VEHICLE IN FRONT JAMMED ON BRAKES AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO BACK OF OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
WHEN DRIVIHG AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE IS STALLING AND JERKING AND THE CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER WITHIN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, BRAKES WENT OUT, AND THE GAS WENT OUT. MANUFACTUREER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD FLEW UP ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, DESTROYED THE HOOD AND LATCHES, DAMAGED THE ROOF, AND INJURED DRIVER. *NLM
ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED AND LEAKED FLUID LEAKED, WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH HOOD/DOOR WINDOW /LOCKS AND HANDLES, AS WELL AS HEADREST STAYING IN ONE POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT END SUSPENSION NOISE DUE TO INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE BUSHINGS.MJS
OWNERS RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FEELS UNSTABLE, CHANGED THE PRESSURE IN THE TIRES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HESITATES AND DRIVER HAS PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS. GEARS ARE LOOSE AND MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURN SIGNALS FAILED, FROZE UP IN THE ON/CLICK, AFTER ANYWHERE FROM 0 TO 25 CLICKS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
OWNER EXPERIENCED THREE BLOWOUTS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. ONE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A CRASH. (MICHELIN LOW PROFILE TIRES: P195/60HR14)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM 5 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED A PULSE GENERATOR SENSOR, HOWEVER, THE PART ONLY LAST ANYWHERE FROM 4 TO 7 MONTHS. THE LAST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT NEEDED A SPEED SENSOR OUTPUT. THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THAT PART UNDER THE WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT I MUST PAY THE LABOR WHICH WILL RUN ABOUT $95. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THIS AMOUNT SINCE I HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE JUNE, 1999 WHEN THE CAR HAD 40,978 MILES ON IT. I ALSO TOOK THE CAR IN ON FEBRUARY 24, 1999 AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR TWO DAYS. AT THAT TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SWITCH. THE LAST 5 VISITS HAVE BEEN BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN I AM GOING ABOUT 25 MPH. THE ENGINE WILL REV AND THEN FIANLLY IT WILL SHIFT VERY HARD. IT WILL ALSO DOWNSHIFT VERY HARD WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP. THE LAST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN THEY TOLD ME THAT HAD TO ORDER A PART AND IT WOULD TAKE A FEW DAYS TO GET IT IN SO I WENT AHEAD AND DROVE IT UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. DURING THAT TIME THE CAR SEEMED TO LOSE ACCERLATION WHEN STARTING UP THEN FINALLY IT WOULD "KICK" IN AND TAKE OFF. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD PROBABLY. I FEEL THAT THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BACK IN FEBRUARY OR AT LEAST JUNE OF 1999 AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO KEEP TAKING THE CAR BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON AUGUST 4, 1999 WITH 45,723 MILES ON IT AND AGAIN ON MARCH 24, 2000 WITH 57,332 ON IT AND AGAIN ON AUGUST 30, 2000 WITH 68,899 AT WHICH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE ORDERING THE PART. I TOOK IT BACK ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2000 AND WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT IT NEEDED THE SPEED OUTPUT SENSOR (WHICH IS THE PART THAT I THOUGHT WAS BEING ORDERED AND HAD ARRIVED). SO I AGAIN PICKED UP MY CAR UNREPAIRED AND AM NOW WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. CAROL SUMMERS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND ALMOST DIES DUE TO FOULED #4 WIRE AND PLUGS. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .