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Research · Subcompact Cars

2003 Hyundai TiburonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 328 owner complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. Most complaints involve power train (164) and air bags (71). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Apr 2009
Owner complaints
328
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: control arm

Free remedy

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.

SuspensionReported Apr 16, 2009NHTSA 09V125000

Fuel system

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 26, 2004NHTSA 04V369000

Fuel system

Free remedy

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Apr 9, 2004NHTSA 04V178000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

328 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2002 – Aug 2022
  1. Power train164
  2. Air bags71
  3. Electrical system34
  4. Seat belts23
  5. Exterior lighting14
  6. Suspension13
  7. Visibility13
  8. Equipment11
  9. Structure10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tiburon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199736
199826
199926
200058
200136
20028
2003328
200482
200543
200664
200742
200819
Crashes reported
33
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
21
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

164 reports3 crashes
“I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY AUTOMATICD TRUNK RELEASE NOT WORK AS WELL AS MY DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW NOT WORKING. MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS 12 YEARS OLD, HOWEVER IT ONLY HAS 64,000. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER TIBURON OWNERS WHO HAVE AND ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I SEE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS WE HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL SALVAGE PLACES TO LOOK FOR A MOTOR AND THE TIBURONS WHICH WERE ON PROPERTY ALL HAD THE WINDOW MOTORS SOLD ALREADY. THIS MADE ME WONDER IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE POWER WINDOW ISSUE. ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY ISSUES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2015Power trainODI 10714508

Air bags

71 reports24 crashes2 fires
“THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR IS ON PERMANENTLY. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. IT IS CAUSED BY A WIRING PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE UNDER THE SEAT.I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I REPLACED THE SEATBELT BUCKLE AND WITHIN A MONTH THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BACK ON.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2019Air bagsODI 11206498

Electrical system

34 reports5 crashes4 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE GOING TO TURN THE BATTERY OFF UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO THE DRIVER HAZARD LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING, THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER WIRING HARNESS CAUSED THE FIRE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED WINNER HYUNDAI (591 S DUPONT HWY, DOVER, DE 19901) WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,641.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2020Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11318671
All 2003 Tiburon problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tiburon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,700386
Tiburon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
Tiburon
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
Tiburon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Tiburon
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Tiburon
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
  • Tiburon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5009
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Tiburon questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon have?

9 safety recalls 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.

What are the most common 2003 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

Owners filed 328 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (164), air bags (71), electrical system (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026