RoadVitals

1998 Hyundai Tiburon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Jan 1, 2005
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 6, 2001
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon, most frequently naming the transmission, engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 51 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission615.8%
  • Engine615.8%
  • Electrical513.2%
  • Brakes410.5%
  • Seat belts410.5%
  • Airbags37.9%
  • Driver assistance37.9%
  • Fuel system37.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
01V345000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

Nov 6, 2001
42,782 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS MAY NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY THROUGH THE D-RING GUIDES MOUNTED ON THE BODY PILLARS AFT OF THE DOORS. IF THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY, THEY MAY TWIST IN THE D-RING GUIDES AND MAKE IT INCONVENIENT TO EXTEND AND RETRACT THE SEAT BELTS.
The risk: IF THE SEAT BELTS ARE INCONVENIENT TO USE, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE INCLINED TO WEAR THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STOPPER OVER EACH FRONT SEAT BELT D-RING GUIDE TO ASSIST THE SEAT BELT TO SMOOTHLY EXTEND AND RETRACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. 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.
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

SQ00003OpenInvestigation

FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36

Opened Feb 2, 2000

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYLed to recall 00V095001

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 26
Electrical
Filed Jan 1, 2005

I WENT TO THE CAR LOT AND PICKED UP MY TIBURON. I DROVE IT HOME...AND TO WORK. AFTER I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS, I WALKED TOWARD THE CAR AND THE WIRELESS REMOTE ON THE KEYS WOULDNT BEEP SO WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE DOOR TO UNLOCK IT THE ALARM SOUNDED AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT START. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER IN WHICH THEY SAID I PROBABLY NEEDED TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. I HADN'T EVEN PUT 100 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAD SOMEONE CHECK THE BATTERY AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. MY CAR SAT AT MY WORKPLACE FOR 8 DAYS BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY SENT A TOWING TRUCK TO HAVE IT SERVICED. I COME TO FIND OUT IT IS THE "TRANSPONDER" TO THE ALARM THAT IS FAULTY AND THEREFORE THE CAR WON'T START UNTIL IT IS REPLACED. IT IS STILL WAITING TO BE SERVICED. MY QUESTION IS WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THAT FIXED WHEN I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR A FEW DAYS? THEY PROBABLY ALREADY KNEW IT WAS GOING OUT AND SOLD ME THE CAR ANYWAY. I'VE ONLY PUT DOWN A DOWN PAYMENT FOR THE CAR AND HAVE YET TO MAKE MY FIRST PAYMENT. WHAT SHOULD I DO? ARE THEY RIGHT TO CHARGE ME FOR THIS? IS THIS A FACTORY RECALL OR SOMETHING THAT GOES OUT OVER TIME? OR IN THIS CASE RIGHT WHEN I GOT THE CAR? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10104895
Incident
Dec 14, 2004
Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 2004

VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR, RESULTING IN STALLING. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC WHICH MAY CAUSE A REAR END COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10067348
Incident
Apr 19, 2004
Mileage
84,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER REAR ENDED A VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BREAKING HER ELBOW IN 6 PLACES AND HER HUMERUS DETACHED FROM THE ELBOW. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2003 AND SHE HAS LIMITED USE OF HER RIGHT ARM AS OF TODAY. SHE HAS HAD TWO SURGERIES AND GOES TO OCCUPATIONAL REHAB THREE TIMES A WEEK. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAGS IN THE 1998 TIBURON.

NHTSA ID
10069882
Incident
Aug 15, 2003
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2003

THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER COULD SMELL EXHAUST FUMES WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ID
10042902
Incident
Oct 14, 2003
Mileage
51,311 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Oct 10, 2003

1998 HYUNDAI TIBURON, AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES: CAR PURCHASED NEW IN 1998. EXPERIENCED ENGINE STUMBLE REFERENCED IN TSB 98-36-008, BUT NO ONE COULD EVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION- CAR DOWNSHIFTS AND GETS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR WHEN HEADLIGHTS ON AND TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATED (TSB 98-40-006?) STILL DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS STORIES ON INTERNET FORUMS AT HYUNDAIPERFORMANCE.COM, YET HYUNDAI REFUSES TO INFORM ITS CONSUMERS OF THESE ISSUES. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. SERVICE DEALER IGNORED REQUESTS TO RETURN MY CALLS CONCERNING ITS STATUS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041581
Incident
Oct 3, 2003
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT IN HER DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, AND WHEN IT DID, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER. AFTER LOSS OF POWER, IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO REGAIN POWER. THEN, VEHICLE RAN SLUGGISH FOR A WHILE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM KEPT REAPPEARING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10039718
Incident
Sep 10, 2003
Transmission
Filed Jul 23, 2002

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MARCH OF 2002 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT 6 WEEKS LATER. THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD WAS THAT THERE WAS A "SHIFT FLARE" IN MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I WAS SOLD THE CAR WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND THEN HYUNDAI PROCEDED TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND FOR 4 WEEKS SAYING I NEEDED PROOF THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AT 30,00 MILES. I WAS THE SECOND OWNER AND DID NOT HAVE THAT INFO. AFTER A MONTH OF NOT HAVING MY CAR, AND CONTACTING THE BBB, AND CONSUMER REPORTS, ALONG WITH HYUNDAI DIRECTLY......I WENT TO A LAWYER AT $125 AN HOUR AND HE MADE A FEW CALLS AND I HAD A "REBUILT" TRANSMISSION IN 8 DAYS. I'VE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS NOW, AND THIS "NEW" ONE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. THE FLARE IS BETWEEN 2 AND 3 GEAR, AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON. I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY TRANSMISSIONS I NEED TO GO THROUGH TO FIND ONE THAT REALLY "WORKS"!! I'M A 22YR. OLD FEMALE, WHO HAS'NT HAD THE CAR OVER 80MPH SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SB ON THIS PROBLEM, AND I'M SURE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS...SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO BE TRUE ON THEIR "WARRANTY" ...BE WARY OF THEIR "REMAINDER OF POWERTRAIN WARRANTY " ON USED CARS. THE SAD PART IS THAT THE CLOSET HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR ME IS 2 HOURS AWAY....VERMONT...IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO PLEASE EMAIL ME [email protected]. *AK

NHTSA ID
764608
Incident
May 15, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 21, 2002

WHEN DRIVING AT TIMES WILL HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATEING TO HIGHER SPEEDS, AND THEN VEHICLE WILL START TO JERK BEFORE IT STARTS TO MOVE.*AK

NHTSA ID
8004352
Incident
Feb 1, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23-BD-002H

VISIBILITY

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.

22-EM-010H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.

22-GI-006H

TIRES

Effective June 2, 2008, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 (FMVSS 110) established a threshold for correcting load carrying capacity information indicated on tire placards when vehicle weight has been increased before retail sale. This limit is the lesser of 1.5% of GVWR or 100 pounds. If the total added weight exceeds the lesser of the limit, a label must be added to the driver-side B-pillar within 25mm (1 inch) of the original tire placard.

21-AT-006H

POWER TRAIN

Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.  Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or other drivability conditions.  Use of other DCT and IVT gear oil may result in reduced durability. Hyundai does not approve the use of any aftermarket ATF or gear oil additives.

21-EM-004H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance Test inspection requirements to determine next required steps.

21-BR-002H

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; SERVICE BRAKES

This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Tiburon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008191048.3
2007421046.1
2006641041.9
2005431044.8
2004820040.1
20033289055.8
2002240—
2001361045.0
2000581046.6
1999263052.7
1998Viewing261146.7
1997364156.8
1996000—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.