Steering: tie rod assembly
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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 | 28 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Tiburon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Tiburon Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Tiburon Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Tiburon Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| 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 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 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.
The EPA rates the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).