Hyundai

Tiburon

Subcompact Cars · model years 1997 to 2008

Includes Tiburon and Tiburon (Coupe) as listed by the EPA.

See all 47 Tiburon trims All Hyundai cars

The verdict

Best year: 1997. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 52; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2003. complaints: 328, about 4.3x this model's typical 77; recalls: 9, about 9x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Hyundai Tiburon
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1997	4Gas	22	$2,850	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 52 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	2Gas	22.5	$2,775	1	26	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, POWER TRAIN 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 26, in line with this model's typical 26 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	2Gas	22.5	$2,775	3	26	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, POWER TRAIN 13%, SEAT BELTS 13%
complaints: 26, in line with this model's typical 26 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 36 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	2Gas	23	$2,725	1	58	SEAT BELTS 23%, AIR BAGS 12%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12%
complaints: 58, about 2.2x this model's typical 26 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	2Gas	23	$2,725	1	36	AIR BAGS 13%, SEAT BELTS 13%, POWER TRAIN 12%
complaints: 36, above this model's typical 26 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	4Gas	21.5	$2,900	4	2	AIR BAGS 33%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 33%, TIRES 33%
complaints: 2, below this model's typical 52 recalls: 4, about 4x this model's typical 1 Score: 54 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	6Gas	21	$2,975	9	328	POWER TRAIN 40%, AIR BAGS 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%
complaints: 328, about 4.3x this model's typical 77 recalls: 9, about 9x this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 21 complaints reporting a fire: 7 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	5Gas	20	$3,100	0	82	POWER TRAIN 38%, AIR BAGS 20%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%
complaints: 82, above this model's typical 65 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	5Gas	20	$3,100	1	43	POWER TRAIN 31%, AIR BAGS 12%, SUSPENSION 9%
complaints: 43, below this model's typical 65 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 49 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	5Gas	20	$3,100	1	64	POWER TRAIN 54%, AIR BAGS 8%, TIRES 6%
complaints: 64, below this model's typical 65 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	5Gas	20	$3,100	1	42	POWER TRAIN 39%, AIR BAGS 27%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6%
complaints: 42, below this model's typical 65 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	5Gas	20	$3,100	1	19	AIR BAGS 36%, SEAT BELTS 14%, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 7%
complaints: 19, below this model's typical 65 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1997: 22 to 2008: 20

Owner complaints1997: 0 to 2008: 19

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Hyundai Tiburon to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.