NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 36 owner complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon. Most complaints involve seat belts (8) and air bags (8). The EPA rates it 22–24 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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED SINCE SHE WAS UNABLE TO RETRACT THEM. IT TOOK HER APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE ATTEMPTS BEFORE SHE COULD FULLY EXTEND THE SEAT BELTS IN ORDER TO SECURELY CLOSE THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. UPDATED 3/21/11 *CN THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED. HOWEVER, HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 06/03/11”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND SLID INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE FRONT END WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. TWO OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE POLICE AND THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH OR GREATER.”
“AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I HAVE 4 TRANSMISSION REPAIRS FOR MY HYUNDAI TIBURON: 05/28/04 JIM BURKE HYUNDAI SERVICE INVOICE COMMENTS: ?CUSTOMER STATES TRANSAXLE WILL NOT SHIFT ? STAYS IN 3RD GEAR ? STATES HAS BEEN ADVISED NEEDS TCM REPLACED ? CHECK TRANSAXLE OPERATION AND CONTACT TECHLINE ? CHECK WITH A/T TESTER ? NOT GOING INTO GEAR ? R&R AND REPLACE TRANSAXLE WITH REMAN UNIT AND FLUSH COOLER.? THE TRANSMISSION STAYED IN 3RD GEAR. HYUNDAI REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. 10/01/2004 THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AGAIN. I HAVE AN INVOICE THAT STATES THE *?LOCKING CLIP OFF OF RIGHT DRIVE AXLE ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK OUT OF AXLE SEAL ? ORDERED LOCKING CLIP ? FILLED TRANSAXLE TO CORRECT LEVEL ? ADVISED CUSTOMER OF LEAK ? CUSTOMER TO BRING VEHICLE BACK FOR CLIP REPLACEMENT.? *THIS INDICATES THE CLIP WAS LEFT OFF THE LAST TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP ON 05/28/04, WHICH SUGGESTING NEGLIGENCE. 10/4/04 THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS WERE TAKEN FROM THE INVOICE: ?CUSTOMER STATES TRANSAXLE IS SLIPPING ? LEAKING FOUND AXLE CLIP MISSING ALLOWING AXLE TO MOVE AND FLUID TO LEAK. R&R RIGHT AXLE AND REPLACE RETAINER CLIP? 10/18/05 THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS WERE TAKEN FROM THE…”
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 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Tiburon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| 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 |
1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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 seat belts (8), air bags (8), power train (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Hyundai Tiburon at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).