Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Hyundai Tiburon has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 328 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V125000 FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V369000 HYUNDAI PUERTO RICO/FMVSS/FUEL VALVE INSTALLATION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V178000 HYUNDAI/FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE/FMVSS 301 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V496000 HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN/BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V321000 HYUNDAI OF AMERICA/INSRUMENT PANEL/AIRBAG DEPLOYME NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V290000 HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN/DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRIN NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V257000 HYUNDAI/BRAKE HOSE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V290000 HYUNDAI/SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V044000 HYUNDAI/INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 164 complaints
- Air Bags 71 complaints
- Electrical System 34 complaints
- Seat Belts 23 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 14 complaints
- Suspension 13 complaints
Of the 328 complaints on file, 33 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 328 complaints, owners report 21 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,800–$9,400AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Hyundai Tiburon has significant issues with the power train and airbag systems, leading to a below-average reliability rating. While some recalls address severe safety issues, such as control arm corrosion, the vehicle is still prone to significant complaints, particularly relating to power train and airbag deployment.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 70,000–120,000 miles | $800–$2,000 | very common |
| airbags | 80,000–130,000 miles | $600–$1,500 | common |
| brake lines | 60,000–100,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| control arms | 50,000–90,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
| fuel tank valve | 100,000–150,000 miles | $350–$700 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Replace air filter annually
- Inspect brake system every 10,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 2 years
- Replace timing belt at 60,000 miles
- Inspect suspension annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Powertrain slipping or jerking
- Airbag warning light
- Brakes feeling spongy
- Clunking noise from suspension
- Fuel odor when vehicle is stationary
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.