VehicleVerdict

1999 Hyundai Tiburon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Hyundai Tiburon sits mid-pack among Tiburon years: 50 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 59, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (12), seat belts (6), and transmission (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

50

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Tiburon years?

Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiburon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1224%
Seat Belts612%
Transmission612%
Speed Control510%
Airbags48%
Engine36%
Other36%
Tires & Wheels24%
Brakes24%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Fuel System24%
Steering12%
Latches & Locks12%
Body & Structure12%

Does the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

3 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.

99V198000OtherJuly 26, 1999 · 649 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," WAS MISPRINTED. IT INCORRECTLY CONTAINS THE TIRE SIZES, SEATING CAPACITY, AND LUGGAGE CAPACITY.

Consequence

EXCESSIVE LOADING CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

99V178000TransmissionJuly 7, 1999 · 11,530 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE APPLICATION TO THE CLUTCHES, BRAKE, AND KICKDOWN SERVO, ALLOWING THEM TO SLIP.

Consequence

SUCH SLIPPAGE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FRICTION ELEMENT SURFACES AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, OR NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE PULSE GENERATOR HAS FAILED 4 TIMES NOW AND THE DEALER CANNOT SEEM TO FIX. THE CAR AT TIMES WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH AND AT OTHER TIMES WILL ACCELERATE TO HIGHER SPEEDS WITHOUT SHIFTING. WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH IT BECOMES DANGEROUS ON A HIGHWAY OR IF PULLING INTO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2002

“WHEN FEEDING SHOULDER BELT BACK INTO THE RETRACTOR ON DRIVER'S RESTRAINT BELT, RESTRAINT BELT WILL TWIST AND CAUSE RETRACTOR TO JAM. DEALERSHIP HAS PERFORMED SERVICE FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V345000 ON JANUARY 14, 2002. THIS SERVICE HAS FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY REMEDY PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 15, 2002

“MY DAUGHTER HAS A 1999 HYUNDAI TIBURON AND IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRANSMISSION, I SEEN WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HER CAR JUST DOWN SHIFTED AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS IT WOULD NOT GO, WE GOT IF OFF THE ROAD AND PUT IT OUT OF GEAR. I DROVE IT HOME AND IT DONE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 10, 2008

“CAR SEVERLY JOLTS WHEN THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED AT MODERATE SPEEDS. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A MILD TO LONG DECELERATION PERIOD, SUCH AS EXITING AN OFF RAMP. JOLTS HAVE BECOME MORE SEVERE AS OF LATE. ALREADY REPLACED TPS. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS WHAT IT WAS. PROBLEM STARTED OCCURING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 28, 2000

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE THAT TURNED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 26, 2004 · crash

1999 Hyundai Tiburon — common questions

Is the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tiburon: 50 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Tiburon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), seat belts (6 complaints), transmission (6 complaints).

Does the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.