VehicleVerdict

2005 Hyundai Tiburon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 Hyundai Tiburon sits mid-pack among Tiburon years: 58 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 59, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 14 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (31% of the total).

58

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

14

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Tiburon years?

Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiburon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1831%
Airbags712%
Suspension59%
Steering47%
Tires & Wheels47%
Other47%
Brakes35%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Electrical System23%
Engine23%
Seat Belts23%
Body & Structure23%
Speed Control12%
Lighting12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V187000SteeringApril 28, 2005 · 277 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THREADED PORTIONS OF THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLY'S LEFT AND RIGHT INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN INTERNAL CRACKS IN THE MATERIAL STRUCTURE.

Consequence

IF THE INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WAS TO BREAK AS A RESULT OF THE INTERNAL CRACK, THE TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT LONGER BE ATTACHED TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THIS WOULD PREVENT STEERING CONTROL OF THAT FRONT WHEEL BY THE SEPARATED TIE ROD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE BEGINNING ON APRIL 8, 2005, AND INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES. HYUNDAI WILL ARRANGE TO PICK UP AND RETURN THEIR VEHICLES AFTER REPAIR. OWNERS MAY 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.

“PURCHASED MY NEW VEHICLE IN JUN 2005. EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS <1000 MILES. CLUTCH SLIPPAGE AND TRANSMISSION NOT FULLY ENGAGING INTO GEARS 1-3. HAVE SUCCESSFULLY AVOIDED (3) COLLISIONS WITH VEHICLES, ALL TAKING PLACE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE FOURTH TIME THOUGH HAD TO VEER INTO THE NEXT LANE AND SIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 16, 2006 · crash

“MY CLIENT, LORIE KINDRAT, WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON OCTOBER 6, 2005. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2005 HYUNDAI TIBURON EQUIPED WITH DRIVER FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS. SHE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A VEHICLE GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE SUSTAINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 6, 2005 · crash

“STEERING HAD A TWITCH WHICH MAD IT A CHALLENGE TO STEER, AS A RESULT WHICH LED TO A CRASH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, AND DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE THEN DIPPED TO THE GROUND SUDDENLY AND BOUNCED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LITERALLY GO AIRBORN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 15, 2011 · crash

“TAKATA RECALL, COULDN'T SEE FOR A WEEK. WAS CUT UP ON LEFT SIDE AS WAS VISION GONE ON LEFT. SUFFERED AND STILL SUFFERING BRAIN DAMAGE FROM AIRBAG HITTING ME SO HARD. THAT CAR HAS RUINED MY LIFE. I CONSTANTLY SHAKE FROM NECK UP ON LEFT SIDE. I WISH I WOULD IF DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. THAT'S HOW MUCH IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 2, 2015 · crash

“PURCHASED MY NEW VEHICLE IN JUN 2005. EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS <1000 MILES. CLUTCH SLIPPAGE AND TRANSMISSION NOT FULLY ENGAGING INTO GEARS 1-3. HAVE SUCCESSFULLY AVOIDED (3) COLLISIONS WITH VEHICLES, ALL TAKING PLACE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE FOURTH TIME THOUGH HAD TO VEER INTO THE NEXT LANE AND SIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 16, 2006 · crash

2005 Hyundai Tiburon — common questions

Is the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tiburon: 58 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 Tiburon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (18 complaints), airbags (7 complaints), suspension (5 complaints).

Does the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 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.