1999 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 1999 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
- Electrical715.6%
- Seat belts613.3%
- Driver assistance511.1%
- Transmission511.1%
- Airbags48.9%
- Engine36.7%
- Visibility24.4%
- Brakes24.4%
- Fuel system24.4%
- Interior & seats24.4%
- Other / unspecified24.4%
- Tires & wheels24.4%
- Body & structure12.2%
- Powertrain (other)12.2%
- Steering12.2%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOWER GEAR AND THEN LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AND REMAIN IN THE LOWEST GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP JUST PRIOR TO BEING RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE SPEED SENSORS 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NLM THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES. THE PULSE GENERATOR WAS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE THERMOSTAT HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. ALSO THERE WAS A TIRE LABEL REPLACEMENT. STOPPER AND ELR SEAT BELT WAS INSTALLED. BLADE FUSE AND WIRE REPAIRS. HOOD LATCH CLEANED. DEALERSHIP MOST RECENTLY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAD INTERNAL PROBLEMS AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHED THE COOLER LINES. *TT
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
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
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
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
VEHICLE LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION SPORADICALLY. WHEN CAR STOPPED AND IDLE, ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY TRYING TO OVERRIDE BRAKES. *TR
HAD CD PLAYER REPLACED, COMPUTER FAILURE AFTER THAT WHERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEY REPLACED IT - THE THE BATTERY DIED FOR NO REASON, THEY REPLACED THAT, NOW MY CAR IS SHIFTING OUT OF CONTROL AND SURGES WHEN AT STOP LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHILE DRIVING 60M MPH THE CAR SHIFTS INTO THE SAME GEAR CONTINUOUSLY AND JOLTS THEN SLOWS - THEY CANT SEE A PROBLEM AND SAY THEY CANT HELP ME, WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE IT IT'S FINE - THE SECOND I TAKE IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT STARTS UP - IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BUT SINCE THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM FROM A TEST DRIVE AND COMPUTER TEST THEY DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO EXCEPT SEND ME HOME WITH A DANGEROUS CAR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
VEHICLE LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION SPORADICALLY. WHEN CAR STOPPED AND IDLE, ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY TRYING TO OVERRIDE BRAKES. *TR
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
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
TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT CAR WAS AT THE DEALER TO "FIX" THE REASON WHY HIS AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALER "FIXED" THE LIGHT. TWO WEEKS LATER DRIVER WAS EXITING HIGHWAY GETTING ONTO THE ON RAMP TO ANOTHER HIGHWAY AND FOR NO REASON HIS AIRBAG EXPLODED. THE GROUND WAS DRY AND THERE WERE NO OBSTACLES IN THE ROAD. AT ONCE HIS HANDS WERE FORCED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND HIS VIEW WAS OBSTRUCTED RESULTING IN HIM PLOWING INTO THE FREEWAY BARRIER. UPON THIS IMPACT HIS PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ANY HELP OR ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *AK
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
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
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOWER GEAR AND THEN LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AND REMAIN IN THE LOWEST GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP JUST PRIOR TO BEING RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE SPEED SENSORS 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NLM THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES. THE PULSE GENERATOR WAS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE THERMOSTAT HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. ALSO THERE WAS A TIRE LABEL REPLACEMENT. STOPPER AND ELR SEAT BELT WAS INSTALLED. BLADE FUSE AND WIRE REPAIRS. HOOD LATCH CLEANED. DEALERSHIP MOST RECENTLY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAD INTERNAL PROBLEMS AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHED THE COOLER LINES. *TT
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
RUST BLOWS OUT OF DEFROST VENT, PAINT DEFFECTIVE, TIRES DONT HOLD AIR, TRANSMISSION SLIPS DOESN'T MATTER SPEED OR HEAT OF CAR.
NO SUMMARY
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
I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT THAT I DRIVE IN DAILY. I WAS MAKING A ROUTINE TURN, AND WHEN I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN FROM 30MPH I GOT TO ABOUT 20MPH AND THEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL. I DID NOT SLAM ON THE BRAKES SO THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE LOCKED. AFTER THE CAR WENT UP ON A CURB, SEVERAL SECONDS LATER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THEY DID NOT DEPOLY ON IMPACT.. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS TOLD I HAD ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND NOW I AM TOLD I DON'T HAVE THEM AND THAT IN ITSELF IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE BREAKS LOCKED UP ONCE BEFORE AND I BROUGHT IT TO HYUNDAI, I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT JUST A SCARE, AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME IT WAS IN MY HEAD. THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I AM SCARED OF THE BREAKS GETTING ME INTO A MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE 4,376 WAS ALL FROM THE ONE ACCIDENT WITH THE BRAKES AND THE AIRBAGS. *AK
BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/ MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK BRAKE FAILED ON WET ROAD. *YH
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
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
NO SUMMARY
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
FRONT TURN SIGNAL AND THE REAR RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. A DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT THE UNDER DASH WIRING WAS DEFECTIVE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOWER GEAR AND THEN LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AND REMAIN IN THE LOWEST GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP JUST PRIOR TO BEING RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE SPEED SENSORS 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NLM THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES. THE PULSE GENERATOR WAS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE THERMOSTAT HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. ALSO THERE WAS A TIRE LABEL REPLACEMENT. STOPPER AND ELR SEAT BELT WAS INSTALLED. BLADE FUSE AND WIRE REPAIRS. HOOD LATCH CLEANED. DEALERSHIP MOST RECENTLY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAD INTERNAL PROBLEMS AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHED THE COOLER LINES. *TT
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
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOWER GEAR AND THEN LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AND REMAIN IN THE LOWEST GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP JUST PRIOR TO BEING RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE SPEED SENSORS 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NLM THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES. THE PULSE GENERATOR WAS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE THERMOSTAT HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. ALSO THERE WAS A TIRE LABEL REPLACEMENT. STOPPER AND ELR SEAT BELT WAS INSTALLED. BLADE FUSE AND WIRE REPAIRS. HOOD LATCH CLEANED. DEALERSHIP MOST RECENTLY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAD INTERNAL PROBLEMS AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHED THE COOLER LINES. *TT
USING THE JACK FOR THE FIRST TIME IT WAS POSITIONED CORRECTLY. RAISED UP VEHICLE TO REMOVE REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE, AND TURNED BODY SIDEWARDS, THE TOP OF THE JACK SNAPPED AND PINNED CONSUMER. CONTACTED DEALER AND OFFERED TO REPLACE THE JACK. *AK
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
THE BATTERY FAILED MANY TIMES. NLM
RUST BLOWS OUT OF DEFROST VENT, PAINT DEFFECTIVE, TIRES DONT HOLD AIR, TRANSMISSION SLIPS DOESN'T MATTER SPEED OR HEAT OF CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BATTERY FAILED MANY TIMES. NLM
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
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOWER GEAR AND THEN LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD AND REMAIN IN THE LOWEST GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP JUST PRIOR TO BEING RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE SPEED SENSORS 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NLM THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES. THE PULSE GENERATOR WAS REPLACED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE THERMOSTAT HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. ALSO THERE WAS A TIRE LABEL REPLACEMENT. STOPPER AND ELR SEAT BELT WAS INSTALLED. BLADE FUSE AND WIRE REPAIRS. HOOD LATCH CLEANED. DEALERSHIP MOST RECENTLY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAD INTERNAL PROBLEMS AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHED THE COOLER LINES. *TT
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
THE BATTERY FAILED MANY TIMES. 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 .