NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon. Most complaints involve air bags (8) and power train (8). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAR BEGAN TO HEAT UP, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG CAME ON AS WELL;TOOK IT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE AIRBAG PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED AND REMAINS ON. *JB”
“6 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED WITHIN 40,000 MILES...ALL REBUILT AND ALL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SLIPPING AND VERY HARD SHIFTING. I WOULD LIKE A TRANSMISSION THAT WORKS THE ENGINE AND ALL OTHER PARTS OF CAR ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. NOW DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP IS JUST THE WAY IT 'SMOOTHES' INTO THE NEXT GEAR. EVEN MY PASSENGERS COMMENT ON THE WAY THE CAR THE SHIFTS. I HAVE BEEN INCONVIENCED FOR AT LEAST A DAY OR MORE TO FIND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION SO THAT THEY CAN INSTALL REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS. SOME OF THE SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT HYUNDIA HAS GREAT DIFFICULTY REBUILDING TRANSMISSIONS. THE HUYNDAI REPRESETATIVE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALL TRANSMISSIONS ARE GIVING OUT BEFORE THEIR 12,000 WARRENTY EXPIRES. ALL REPALCEMENTS HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I HAVE BEEN SATISFIED WITH THEIR HONORING THE WARRENTY. MY LAST SERVICE CALL THE MANAGER KEN BEARD TOLD ME HE WOULD AGAIN CONTACT HUYNDAI AND ASK ABOUT TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND CONTACT ME BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN 3 WEEKS. I HAVE CONTACTE DTHE OWNER AND HIS CONTROLLER FRENCHETTA THOMPSON HAS ASSURED ME THAT HE WILL…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), THERE WAS A PERSISTENT STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BACK SEAT TO INSPECT THE ACCESS PORT FOR THE FUEL TANK AND DISCOVERED A 4 INCH FRACTURE ON THE STEEL FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER TO INFORM THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V095001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE DEALER DECLINED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 243,420.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiburon (Coupe) Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Tiburon (Coupe) Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Tiburon (Coupe) Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Tiburon (Coupe) Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (8), power train (8), fuel system, gasoline (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).