RoadVitals

2004 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.
82
Latest Jun 30, 2018
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.
0
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.
11
7 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 82 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon, most frequently naming the transmission, airbags and electrical categories. 46 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

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 30, 2018

CLUTCH RECALL, POWERTRAIN RECALL, MASTER CYLINDER RECALL, SLAVE CYLINDER RECALL. WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AFTER A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE CAR I PUSHED THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO SHIFT, AND THE PEDAL DID NOT COME BACK UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO BRING IT BACK UP TO SHIFT IT FINALLY CAME BACK. WHEN SHIFTING AGAIN THE CAR DIED INSTANTLY, AND AFTER THE CAR WAS OFF I COULD SHIFT TO ANY GEARS. WHEN TURNING THE CAR BACK ON IN NEUTRAL THE CAR TURNED ON, BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO FIRST IT WOULD PUSH ITSELF FORWARD AND DIE. TRYING TO START THE CAR IN FIRST WOULD TAKE OFF BUT YOU COULD ONLY PUT IT BACK TO NEUTRAL. AFTER TAKING IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS I CHANGED THE SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDER, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. TO MY SURPRISE THE CLUTCH AND DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL, CLUTCH, SHIFT FORK WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ID
11104904
Incident
Jun 20, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 1, 2017

MY CAR TURN ON THE AIR BAG, ALL THE TIME, I TAKE TO THE DEALER UNTIL THE WARRANTY WAS ACTIVE, AFTER THE THIRD YEAR THEY SAID THAT THIS DON'T HAVE NO MORE WARRANTY, THE AIR BAG LIGHT STEEL ON ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ID
10957845
Incident
Jun 2, 2004
Mileage
3,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 2, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY WIFE WAS IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. MY WIFE GOT WHIPLASH FROM THE ACCIDENT. READING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I'M ALMOST GLAD THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE HER INJURY COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH THEIR AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID
10892561
Incident
Jul 25, 2016
Mileage
137,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 15, 2015

STEERING WILL NOT STAY IN NO MORE THEN 6 MOUTHS AND ALMOST INSTEAD THEY GO OUT .ON ALIGNMENTS . IT HAS BEEN GOING ON SEENS THIS CAR

NHTSA ID
10725195
Incident
Jun 15, 2006
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 25, 2014

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. DJR

NHTSA ID
10649925
Incident
Oct 10, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Oct 22, 2014

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS WILL NOT PROPERLY WORK OR WORK AT ALL WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON. WHY SHOULDN'T THE 2004 MODEL BE INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL SINCE ALL OTHER TIBURON YEARS EXCEPT FOR 2004 WERE RECALLED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10649267
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
102,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 20, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS TURNED ON. THE BATTERY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AS LONG AS THE TURN SIGNAL FUSE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED REPLACING. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 122,000.

NHTSA ID
10592712
Incident
Feb 20, 2014
Mileage
119,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 27, 2014

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. HAVE PICTURES. SON DRIVING CAR ON OUR DRIVEWAY AND CAR STARTED MAKING NOISE AND STARTED PULLING HARD TO THE LEFT. DROVE BACK TO HOUSE TO INSPECT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVERS SIDE HAD RUSTED APART ALLOWING TIRE TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE. CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, WITH MANY INVOLVING CRASHES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF IT HAPPENS AT ROAD SPEED. LUCKY FOR US IT WAS ON OUR DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10575076
Incident
Mar 26, 2014
Mileage
67,915 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

26-GI-004H

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger various DTCs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the PDW sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. This condition may be a result of external damage to the PDW sensor membrane or sensor cover from rock chips or road debris, a collision, or previous vehicle repairs or modifications.

26-EM-016H TSB

ENGINE

Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. All internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operation, depending on driving conditions and mileage, and this procedure should only be performed when deemed necessary based on inspection and diagnosis of the vehicle as outlined in TSB 26-EM-015H, Engine Oil Consumption – Inspection & Repair Guidelines, or the latest revision.

26-EM-015H TSB

ENGINE

Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. All internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operation. Oil consumption rates may vary based on mileage, operating conditions, driving habits, and maintenance history. Hyundai recommends following the prescribed maintenance schedule and periodically checking the engine oil level using the dipstick to maintain proper engine oil level.

DTN DCS

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached announcement, provided by NHTSA, for more details.

DTN DL

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin. To date, Hyundai is aware of three people who have died while driving a Hyundai vehicle with one of these substandard replacement airbag inflators that deployed in what likely would have been a survivable crash. NHTSA has issued a public advisory urging vehicle owners and service professionals to have vehicles inspected if there is reason to believe that a non-genuine replacement airbag may have been installed. Vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, prior airbag deployments, or unknown repair histories may present a higher risk. NHTSA strongly cautions against self-inspection by vehicle owners and recommends inspection by trained technicians.

25-BD-012H TSB

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

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
2008191040.8
2007421046.1
2006641041.9
2005431044.8
2004Viewing820040.1
20033289055.8
2002240—
2001361045.0
2000581046.6
1999263052.7
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.