AI Damage2003 Hyundai Tiburon: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon filed 328 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 328
- involving a crash
- 33
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 22% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 164 complaints (50% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 71 complaints (22% of all), 24 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 34 complaints (10% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 23 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 14 complaints (4% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.7 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 5 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 19 complaints
- manual, 6-speednamed in 19 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 328 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 | 164 | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 71 | 24 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 34 | 5 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 5 | 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.
Very strong raw wet gas smell inside and out side of the car . Followed the instructions on cleaning charcoal canister there was no problems there and the gas problems continue. The smell is noticed after driving and during idle.
As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest injuries, a fractured nose, a fractured right foot, a torn ligament in the right foot, and bruises that required medical attention.
I did not receive a driving violation ticket because of noted throttle issue. Toyota unintended acceleration issue now with tiburons?
The vehicle then drifted leftward across center-line and both oncoming lanes, and came to rest after mounting the curb and colliding with a fire hydrant. Event was witnessed by two, separate, independent and involved motorists. Vehicle's owner was the only occupant and was injured.
Air bag light stayed on I went off the road at 100k and airbag did not deploy also having alternator problems melting fan switch and attaching harness rear wiper failed, trunk release fail, both door locks failed cant lock my car anymore.
2003 hyundia tiburon, front left tire blew out. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0509-90 updated 05/03/10
While driving 45 mph and making a right turn, he could feel a hard vibration and he could feel one of the rear wheels folding under the vehicle. The vehicle sprung front end forward into a ditch. The contact was transported by an ambulance to the nearest hospital. A police report was filed.
Air bag light came on on the dash of my 2003 hyundai tiburon because of a broken wire under the drivers seat. Hyundai has had recalls on other vehicles for the same problem with the wire getting broken under the driver seat.
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 1,221 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tiburon has 59 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 328, above 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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 328. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (13%), seat belts (10%), windows, sunroof (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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.