RoadVitals

1999 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 May 29, 2011
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.
3
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.
0
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.
5
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon, most frequently naming the electrical, seat belts and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 53 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

  • Electrical715.6%
  • Seat belts613.3%
  • Driver assistance511.1%
  • Transmission511.1%
  • Airbags48.9%
  • Engine36.7%
  • Visibility24.4%
  • Brakes24.4%

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

3 campaigns 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
99V198000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Jul 26, 1999
649 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," WAS MISPRINTED. IT INCORRECTLY CONTAINS THE TIRE SIZES, SEATING CAPACITY, AND LUGGAGE CAPACITY.
The risk: EXCESSIVE LOADING CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
99V178000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Jul 7, 1999
11,530 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE APPLICATION TO THE CLUTCHES, BRAKE, AND KICKDOWN SERVO, ALLOWING THEM TO SLIP.
The risk: SUCH SLIPPAGE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FRICTION ELEMENT SURFACES AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, OR NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 033View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 26
Electrical
Filed May 29, 2011

1999 HYUNDAI TIBURON CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS FAULTY IN A LOT OF THESE CARS I KEEP HEARING ABOUT HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TIBURON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10403691
Incident
May 20, 2011
Mileage
120,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 1, 2010

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 99V178000 FOR A HYUNDAI TIBURON 1999. THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE CONSEQUENCES DETAILED IN THE CAMPAIGN. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE CAMPAIGN DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE VIN#. I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS BASED ON THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS RELATED TO ACCELERATION AND THE FACT THAT MY CAR FITS THE MODEL, YEAR AND MAKE OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA ID
10323273
Incident
Mar 22, 2010
Mileage
98,000 mi
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Aug 22, 2009

VEHICLE LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION SPORADICALLY. WHEN CAR STOPPED AND IDLE, ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY TRYING TO OVERRIDE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281408
Incident
Aug 13, 2009
Mileage
113,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 14, 2008

MY DAUGHTER HAS A 1999 HYUNDAI TIBURON AND IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRANSMISSION, I SEEN WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HER CAR JUST DOWN SHIFTED AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS IT WOULD NOT GO, WE GOT IF OFF THE ROAD AND PUT IT OUT OF GEAR. I DROVE IT HOME AND IT DONE ME THE SAME WAY. NOW IT WILL GO SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227741
Incident
Apr 10, 2008
Mileage
89,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA # 01V345000 RECALL CONCERNING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING, WAS RECEIVED IN 2001. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, THE WEBBING DOES NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10150904
Incident
Feb 21, 2006
Mileage
50,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Sep 21, 2004

THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED, AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LATCH. *AK THE FEMALE RECEPTACLE BUCKLE NO LONGER WORKED. *TC *JB

NHTSA ID
10089441
Incident
Aug 16, 2004
Mileage
36,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 2, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE THAT TURNED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090287
Incident
Aug 26, 2004
Mileage
94,500 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 6, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY ONE DEALER THAT HE NEEDED TO HAVE ENGINE CLEANED OUT AND USE A DIFFERENT GAS. CONSUMER STATED THIS HE DID. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE MECHANICS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL LINE BECAUSE IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT HE USED SOME CONTAMINATED GAS. BUT, NOTHING WILL STOP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FROM COMING ON. *AK

NHTSA ID
10087395
Incident
Aug 6, 2004

Manufacturer communications

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

23-EM-005H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.

23-BD-007H

STRUCTURE:BODY

Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint.

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.

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
1999Viewing263052.7
1998261146.7
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.