VehicleVerdict

2002 Hyundai Tiburon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Tiburon years?

Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiburon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags133%
Brakes133%
Tires & Wheels133%

Does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

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

04V369000Fuel SystemJuly 26, 2004 · 919 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

04V178000Fuel SystemApril 9, 2004 · 263,968 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

03V496000BrakesDecember 3, 2003 · 1,993 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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.

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.

03V257000BrakesJuly 22, 2003 · 312,292 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD GONE TO THE LEFT AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED UPON IMPACT. ALSO, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *SCC THE C ONSUMER BELIVED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS AS WELL.*JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 24, 2001 · crash

“WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD GONE TO THE LEFT AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED UPON IMPACT. ALSO, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *SCC THE C ONSUMER BELIVED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS AS WELL.*JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 24, 2001 · crash

“FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE PRODUCED A BUBBLE. HOWEVER, THE SECOND AND THIRD TIRES PRODUCED THE SAME BUBBLES. *AK *LA ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 7, 2004

2002 Hyundai Tiburon — common questions

Is the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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.