Research · Subcompact Cars

2007 Hyundai TiburonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 42 owner complaints for the 2007 Hyundai Tiburon. Most complaints involve power train (19) and air bags (13). 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 2013
Owner complaints
42
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

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V113000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2007 – May 2024
  1. Power train19
  2. Air bags13
  3. Structure2
  4. Tires2
  5. Suspension1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Engine1
  8. Steering1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1

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
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
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

19 reports
“CLUTCH WENT OUT, I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND THE CLUTCH WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR THEN JUST WENT OUT. THIS IS NOT DUE TO DRIVER . I WAS DRIVING LUCKILY AT 30MPH WHEN IT WAS LIKE IT HAD NO GEAR SHIFT AT ALL HAD TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE AND HAVE IT TOWED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2020Power trainODI 11338553

Air bags

13 reports8 crashes
“This vehicle was in a hit-and-run accident on the highway. It hit the wall going 65mph and the airbags did not deploy causing me to have a spinal injury, bruised ribs, a cracked sternum, a concussion, and a fractured metatarsal. after the first collision, the car rolled back and hit the wall a second time which the airbags still did not deploy. It is totaled and in the hands of State Farm.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2023Air bags, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11535649

Structure

2 reports2 crashes
“MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2007 HYUNDIA TIBURON, ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL IT'S STEARING CAPABILITY, HE HIT A SPEED LIMIT SIGN VERED OFF THE ROAD AND WENT ABOUT 50 FEET INTO THE WOODS, THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. LUCKLY MY SON IS OK, THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. WHY WOULD THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY WITH THE FRONT END IS DESTROYED AND THE FRAME IS BENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2017Steering, Air bags, StructureCrash reportedODI 10984392
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
202823$2,700386
Tiburon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$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
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Tiburon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 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 2007 Hyundai Tiburon as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 2324
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

2007 Tiburon questions

How many recalls does the 2007 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 2007 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (19), air bags (13), structure (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Hyundai Tiburon get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Hyundai Tiburon at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026