AI Damage1997 Hyundai Tiburon: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 36
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 22% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 17% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 8% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (25% of all).
- Air bags: 8 complaints (22% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 6 complaints (17% of all).
- Visibility: 6 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving the hood latch failed and the hood flew up onto the windshield, destroyed the hood and latches, damaged the roof, and injured driver.
Consumer was traveling about 30mph and coming off ramp when vehicle in front jammed on brakes and consumer's vehicle skidded into back of other vehicle. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Dealership was aware of problem.
When vehicle was involved in a rear end crash the air bags did not deploy. Driver was going 55 mph. The looks like it was totalled.
After the inspection the "check engine" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunctions. The technician stated that there was an inspection performed under the prior recall, so the vehicle was denied a free remedy repair. The current mileage was 183,000.
While driving approximately 50 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they found a leak in the fuel tank as determined by a pressure check. Hyundai was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The recall number was unknown.
Smelled gas fumes strongly upon fill-up for several days, check engine light. Took car in. Mechanic said recall #00v095002 was in effect on my vehicle. Took it to dealership to have them replace defective parts (tank & cap). Dealership only replaced cap but did not tell me at the time.
Check engine light came on while driving and car began to heat up, the driver side airbag came on as well;took it in for maintenance and the alternator was replaced however the airbag problem was not corrected and remains on.
Consumer stated driver's front seat belts did not hold the passenger in the seat. Dealer indicated there was no recall on front seat belt.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,253 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tiburon has 59 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 36, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, air bags, fuel system. Total complaints: 36. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (19%), stalls while driving (11%), windows, sunroof (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Hyundai Tiburon from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.