Research · Subcompact Cars

2005 Hyundai TiburonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 43 owner complaints for the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon. Most complaints involve power train (18) and air bags (7). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–23mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2005
Owner complaints
43
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: tie rod assembly

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THREADED PORTIONS OF THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLY'S LEFT AND RIGHT INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN INTERNAL CRACKS IN THE MATERIAL STRUCTURE.

SteeringReported Apr 28, 2005NHTSA 05V187000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

43 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2005 – Mar 2020
  1. Power train18
  2. Air bags7
  3. Suspension5
  4. Tires4
  5. Steering4
  6. Equipment3
  7. Engine2
  8. Structure2
  9. Visibility2

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
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

18 reports1 crash
“I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY CLUTCH, DUAL FLY WHEEL ENTIRE CLUTCH SYSTEM 3 TIMES NOW IN THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS. EACH TIME COSTING ME ANYWHERE FROM $2400,- $3,400. NO WAY SHOULD A CLUTCH NEED REPLACED THAT MUCH THAT SOON, EACH CLUTCH LASTED APPROX 13 MONTHS. HYUNDAI WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM YET THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING SAME ISSUES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WHO CAN AFFORD THIS MUCH WORK EVERY YEAR? NO ONE. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $10,000 ON 3 CLUTCH JOBS IN 3 YEARS. I'M TAKING IT TO BBB AS WELL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2015Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 10760218

Air bags

7 reports5 crashes
“TAKATA RECALL, COULDN'T SEE FOR A WEEK. WAS CUT UP ON LEFT SIDE AS WAS VISION GONE ON LEFT. SUFFERED AND STILL SUFFERING BRAIN DAMAGE FROM AIRBAG HITTING ME SO HARD. THAT CAR HAS RUINED MY LIFE. I CONSTANTLY SHAKE FROM NECK UP ON LEFT SIDE. I WISH I WOULD IF DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. THAT'S HOW MUCH IT HAS AFFECTED ME. I STAY IN THE HOUSE BY MYSELF ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. ITS SO EMBARRASSING FOR ME. SEVERE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY HAVE STARTED ALSO. THANK YOU HYUNDAI FOR RUINING MY LIFE AT 43 YEARS OLD. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE WOMAN BEHIND ME NEVER SLOWED DOWN AT 55 MPH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2017Air bags, Structure, WheelsCrash reportedODI 10969643

Suspension

5 reports1 crash
“FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM RUSTED UNTIL IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS! 2003 HYUNDAI TUBURONS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS BUT 2005 DOES NOT. IT SHOULD BECAUSE HYUNDAI OBVIOUSLY DID NOT FIX THAT UNDERLYING ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2017SuspensionODI 10956556
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-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 11, 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
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212823$2,700386
Tiburon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
Tiburon
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Tiburon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
Tiburon
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
  • Tiburon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2005 Hyundai Tiburon as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1606
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

2005 Tiburon questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon have?

1 safety recall 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.

What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (18), air bags (7), suspension (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026