Model year record

2003 Hyundai Tiburon

9 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 429 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V125000

Suspension: front: control arm

Component: Suspension: front: control arm
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 160,904
Reported to NHTSA: 2009-04-16
Owners notified: 2009-07-17

Defect description

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.

Safety risk

THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V369000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO
Vehicles affected: 919
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-07-26
Owners notified: 2004-10-05

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Safety risk

FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V178000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 263,968
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-04-09
Owners notified: 2004-06-30

Defect description

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Safety risk

FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V496000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO
Vehicles affected: 1,993
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-12-03
Owners notified: 2004-01-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Safety risk

CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V321000

Air bags: frontal

Component: Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 49
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-08-26
Owners notified: 2003-10-13

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS MOUNTED BENEATH THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S PADDED SURFACE. TEAR LINES ARE FORMED INTO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S PADDED SURFACE DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP PAD. THESE TEAR LINES ALLOW A PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACE TO FOLD UPWARD IF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYS.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER.

Manufacturer remedy

HYUNDAI WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AT 1-800-633-5151, OR IF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO, HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V290000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component: Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO
Vehicles affected: 36
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-08-05
Owners notified: 2003-09-23

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM. DAMAGED DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT WARNING LAMP OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WIRING LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DAMAGED DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT WARNING LAMP OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WIRING LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Safety risk

NONDEPLOYMENT OF AN SRS AIR BAG IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS WARRANTED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V257000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 312,292
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-07-22
Owners notified: 2003-10-13

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE REAR BRAKE TUBES COULD CONTACT BOTH STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Safety risk

FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V290000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component: Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 7,382
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-11-05
Owners notified: 2003-03-24

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.

Safety risk

DAMAGED DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT WARNING LAMP OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WIRING LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. NONDEPLOYMENT OF AN SRS AIR BAG IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS WARRANTED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE, IF NECESSARY, AND WILL PLACE A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V044000

Unknown or other

Component: Unknown or other
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 1,174
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-02-08
Owners notified: 2002-03-04

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET WAS NOT INSTALLED.

Safety risk

IF THIS BRACKET HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY OR INCREASED SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE BRACKET HAS BEEN INSTALLED. IF THE BRACKET HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 4, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train: clutch assembly	123	30,000 mi
Air bags	41	65,488 mi
Power train: manual transmission	33	36,000 mi
Electrical system	28	84,286 mi
Air bags: frontal	19	35,769 mi
Seat belts	15	79,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	11	65,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	9	6,000 mi
Exterior lighting	8	73,526 mi
Suspension	8	65,000 mi
Power train	7	65,000 mi
Unknown or other	7	14,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	5	—
Fuel system, gasoline	5	75,000 mi
Parking brake	5	50,000 mi
Steering	5	65,000 mi
Structure: body	5	110,000 mi
Tires	5	10,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	4	85,500 mi
Air bags: side/window	4	5,136 mi
Engine	4	90,450 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	4	158,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	4	12,935 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	3	2,300 mi
Equipment	3	70,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	3	72,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	3	31,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	33,112 mi
Suspension: front	3	44,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module	2	17,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	2	1,080 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	44,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	2	16,000 mi
Fuel system, other	2	31,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: bell housing	2	15 mi
Structure: body: door	2	—
Tires: sidewall	2	41,999 mi
Vehicle speed control	2	84,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	2	18,181 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly	1	90,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	100,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	—
Electrical system: ignition	1	7,998 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	7,998 mi
Electrical system: wiring	1	90,000 mi
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	72,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	1	72,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock	1	44,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	1	106,213 mi
Power train: axle assembly	1	2,800 mi
Power train: driveline	1	85,000 mi
Service brakes	1	158,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	2,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	29,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm	1	—
Structure	1	—
Structure: frame and members	1	93,400 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	65,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	1	45,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	7,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	27,000 mi
Visibility	1	115,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	60,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor	1	17,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	1	—
Wheels	1	3,000 mi

The 2002 model has 143 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.