1998 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 1998 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
- Transmission615.8%
- Engine615.8%
- Electrical513.2%
- Brakes410.5%
- Seat belts410.5%
- Airbags37.9%
- Driver assistance37.9%
- Fuel system37.9%
- Other / unspecified25.3%
- Tires & wheels12.6%
- Visibility12.6%
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
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
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
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
THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER COULD SMELL EXHAUST FUMES WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED. *AK *NLM
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
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
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
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
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
HE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON BOULEVARD AND IT WAS RAINING. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM JAMMED THE BRAKES. HE STARTED HYDROPLANING, AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. DUAL AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL. *AK
BRAKE SMAKE A DEEP GRINDING NOISE. ROTORS WERE CHECKED OUT BY 2 SERVICE CENTERS. SERVICE STATION SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THERE WERE MULTIPLE CRACKS IN EACH OF THE ROTORS. DEALER STATED IT WAS OKAY, BUT THERE WAS SOME FORM OF RUST. ALSO, SHOES HAD SCORED SEVERAL MARKS IN EACH ROTOR. DEALER SAID IT WAS SAFE TO RIDE ON. *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
RECALL 01V345000/MANUFACTURER RECALL 2001; FRONT LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RETRACT BACK. PROBLEM HAPPENED ONE YEAR AGO AND WAS NOT FIXED. NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT OUT IN DECEMBER 2001. *AK DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO CONTACT CONSUMER ONCE A HYUNDAI TECHNICIAN CAME FOR A VISIT, HOWEVER CONSUMER NEVER HEARD FROM THE DEALER. *SLC
HYUNDAI SAID THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EMISSIONS OR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHICH WAS A LIE I HAVE RECORDED. MY SEATBELT POPS OFF EVEN THOUGH I DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE IT'S IN TIGHT. HATFIELD HYUNDAI SAID PUT IT IN TIGHTER OR SPRAY SILICON OIL IN IT. MY LOCKS WILL FREEZE WHILE I'M DRIVING AND I CANT GET OUT OF MY CAR UNLESS THE WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN. USALLY THE WINDOWS ARE FROZEN SHUT. HATFIELD HYUNDAI IT IS A NORMAL THING FOR HYUNDAIS TO LOCK PEOPLE IN THEIR CAR. HE SAID DONT DRIVE IT WHEN IT'S COLD OR SPRAY ICE GUARD INSIDE THE DOOR BEFORE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. MY CAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WELL REDLINE AND WONT SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR.HATFIELD HYUNDAI SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR TO REDLINE AND NOT GO PAST 69MILES AN HR. I TOOK IT TO DENNNIS HYUNDAI ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATLEY AFTER THAT SAME DAY AND HAD THEIR MANAGER RIDE WITH ME ON 6/29/01. HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON JULY/2/2001 WHERE IT REMAINS. THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO GET IT TO ACT UP AGAIN EVEN THOUGH IT ALREADY ACTED UP BEFORE THEY WILL FIX IT. HATFIELD HYUNDAI FIXED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SAYS THEY WILL FIX THE SEATBELT SINCE I HAVE IT ON TAPE THEY LIED. I WANT YOU TO FORCE HYUNDAI TO FIX THINGS THEY PROMISED TO FIX IN THEIR WARRANTY FOR OTHER PEOPLES' SAFETY.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
HE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON BOULEVARD AND IT WAS RAINING. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM JAMMED THE BRAKES. HE STARTED HYDROPLANING, AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. DUAL AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL. *AK
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
WHEN DRIVING AT TIMES WILL HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATEING TO HIGHER SPEEDS, AND THEN VEHICLE WILL START TO JERK BEFORE IT STARTS TO MOVE.*AK
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE THROTTLE VALVES ARE RACING HIGH, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. *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
THE CLUTCH CANNOT BE USED PROPERLY DUE TO DESIGN OF FLOOR MATS. MAKES THE GEARS TIGHT. ALSO, COVER TO FUEL TANK BROKE OFF WHEN OPENED. THE 1997 MICHELIN X TIRES ON FRONT OF VEHICLE BROKE OFF DUE TO ALL LUGS: NUTS SHEARING OFF TWICE. TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. *AK
ENGINE KEEPS MISFIRING. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CLUTCH CANNOT BE USED PROPERLY DUE TO DESIGN OF FLOOR MATS. MAKES THE GEARS TIGHT. ALSO, COVER TO FUEL TANK BROKE OFF WHEN OPENED. THE 1997 MICHELIN X TIRES ON FRONT OF VEHICLE BROKE OFF DUE TO ALL LUGS: NUTS SHEARING OFF TWICE. TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. *AK
THE FIRST PROBLEM HAPPENED THE FIRST WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE SEAL BROKE ON THE TIRE THEY SAID AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT WITHOUT MY ACKOWLEDGEMENT AND I HAD TO BUY A NEW TIRE BECAUSE THE INSIDE TUBE WAS RUINED. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO GET DIFFERENT TIRES RESEALED BECAUSE THE SEAL BREAKS. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY FEEL ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE RIM. ON 12/31/98 I HAD TO GET ONE RESEALED AGAIN AND SINCE THEN THE TIRE STILL LOOKS LOW AND I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN IT ONCE A WEEK.( DOT NUMBER: )
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
ENGINE KEEPS MISFIRING. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
HYUNDAI SAID THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EMISSIONS OR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHICH WAS A LIE I HAVE RECORDED. MY SEATBELT POPS OFF EVEN THOUGH I DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE IT'S IN TIGHT. HATFIELD HYUNDAI SAID PUT IT IN TIGHTER OR SPRAY SILICON OIL IN IT. MY LOCKS WILL FREEZE WHILE I'M DRIVING AND I CANT GET OUT OF MY CAR UNLESS THE WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN. USALLY THE WINDOWS ARE FROZEN SHUT. HATFIELD HYUNDAI IT IS A NORMAL THING FOR HYUNDAIS TO LOCK PEOPLE IN THEIR CAR. HE SAID DONT DRIVE IT WHEN IT'S COLD OR SPRAY ICE GUARD INSIDE THE DOOR BEFORE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. MY CAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WELL REDLINE AND WONT SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR.HATFIELD HYUNDAI SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR TO REDLINE AND NOT GO PAST 69MILES AN HR. I TOOK IT TO DENNNIS HYUNDAI ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATLEY AFTER THAT SAME DAY AND HAD THEIR MANAGER RIDE WITH ME ON 6/29/01. HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON JULY/2/2001 WHERE IT REMAINS. THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO GET IT TO ACT UP AGAIN EVEN THOUGH IT ALREADY ACTED UP BEFORE THEY WILL FIX IT. HATFIELD HYUNDAI FIXED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SAYS THEY WILL FIX THE SEATBELT SINCE I HAVE IT ON TAPE THEY LIED. I WANT YOU TO FORCE HYUNDAI TO FIX THINGS THEY PROMISED TO FIX IN THEIR WARRANTY FOR OTHER PEOPLES' SAFETY.*AK
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 .