VehicleVerdict

1998 Hyundai Tiburon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1998 Hyundai Tiburon carries two red flags at once: 46 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 (7), other (6), and engine (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

46

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Tiburon years?

Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiburon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission715%
Other613%
Engine613%
Electrical System511%
Seat Belts49%
Fuel System49%
Airbags37%
Brakes37%
Speed Control37%
Tires & Wheels37%
Lighting12%
Visibility & Wipers12%

Does the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

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.

“THE CLUTCH CANNOT BE USED PROPERLY DUE TO DESIGN OF FLOOR MATS. MAKES THE GEARS TIGHT. ALSO, COVER TO FUEL TANK BROKE OFF WHEN OPENED. THE 1997 MICHELIN X TIRES ON FRONT OF VEHICLE BROKE OFF DUE TO ALL LUGS: NUTS SHEARING OFF TWICE. TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 2, 1998

“CONSUMER STATED THAT IN HER DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, AND WHEN IT DID, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER. AFTER LOSS OF POWER, IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO REGAIN POWER. THEN, VEHICLE RAN SLUGGISH FOR A WHILE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 10, 2003

“THE CLUTCH CANNOT BE USED PROPERLY DUE TO DESIGN OF FLOOR MATS. MAKES THE GEARS TIGHT. ALSO, COVER TO FUEL TANK BROKE OFF WHEN OPENED. THE 1997 MICHELIN X TIRES ON FRONT OF VEHICLE BROKE OFF DUE TO ALL LUGS: NUTS SHEARING OFF TWICE. TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 2, 1998

“THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO HYUNDAI DEALERS 4 TIMES SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. CAR HAS BEEN IN LITERALLY EVERY OTHER MONTH SINCE PURCHASE IN OCTOBER 1998. MAJOR PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER(S) AND TRANSMISSION. CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAVE BOTH GONE OFF.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 6, 1999

“THE CLUTCH CANNOT BE USED PROPERLY DUE TO DESIGN OF FLOOR MATS. MAKES THE GEARS TIGHT. ALSO, COVER TO FUEL TANK BROKE OFF WHEN OPENED. THE 1997 MICHELIN X TIRES ON FRONT OF VEHICLE BROKE OFF DUE TO ALL LUGS: NUTS SHEARING OFF TWICE. TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 2, 1998

1998 Hyundai Tiburon — common questions

Is the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 46 complaints put the 1998 model at #10 of 12 Tiburon years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Tiburon years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Tiburon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (7 complaints), other (6 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 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.