VehicleVerdict

1997 Hyundai Tiburon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1997 Hyundai Tiburon carries two red flags at once: 60 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36). It is one of the Tiburon years to avoid.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (9), airbags (8), and electrical system (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

60

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Tiburon years?

Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted429 complaints1997: 60 complaints1998: 46 complaints1999: 50 complaints2000: 76 complaints2001: 69 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 429 complaints2004: 108 complaints2005: 58 complaints2006: 81 complaints2007: 49 complaints2008: 28 complaints
Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiburon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission915%
Airbags813%
Electrical System712%
Visibility & Wipers610%
Fuel System610%
Engine58%
Latches & Locks47%
Brakes35%
Lighting23%
Seats23%
Suspension23%
Seat Belts23%
Other12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Speed Control12%
Steering12%

Does the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01V345000Seat BeltsNovember 6, 2001 · 42,782 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS MAY NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY THROUGH THE D-RING GUIDES MOUNTED ON THE BODY PILLARS AFT OF THE DOORS. IF THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY, THEY MAY TWIST IN THE D-RING GUIDES AND MAKE IT INCONVENIENT TO EXTEND AND RETRACT THE SEAT BELTS.

Consequence

IF THE SEAT BELTS ARE INCONVENIENT TO USE, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE INCLINED TO WEAR THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STOPPER OVER EACH FRONT SEAT BELT D-RING GUIDE TO ASSIST THE SEAT BELT TO SMOOTHLY EXTEND AND RETRACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. 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.

00V095002Fuel SystemJuly 21, 2000 · 7,111 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

00V095001Fuel SystemMarch 28, 2000 · 84,020 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.

97V026000Visibility & WipersFebruary 26, 1997 · 74,965 units

Defect

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.

Open NHTSA investigations

SQ00003

FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN DRIVIHG AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE IS STALLING AND JERKING AND THE CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER WITHIN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, BRAKES WENT OUT, AND THE GAS WENT OUT. MANUFACTUREER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 20, 1999

“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. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 20, 2001 · crash

“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. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 15, 2004

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON. 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 24, 2008

“DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET REPLACED TWICE WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. ALSO, HOOD FLEW OPEN WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH/ PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S WINDOWS, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER HEAD RESTS WON'T STAY IN THE TOP POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 12, 1999

1997 Hyundai Tiburon — common questions

Is the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 60 complaints put the 1997 model at #6 of 12 Tiburon years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Tiburon years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Tiburon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (9 complaints), airbags (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Tiburon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tiburon years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 1997, 1998. The cleanest record among Tiburon years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.