VehicleVerdict

2006 Hyundai Tiburon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2006 Hyundai Tiburon sits mid-pack among Tiburon years: 81 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 59, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 53% of all reports (43 of 81), far ahead of tires & wheels at 7.

81

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Tiburon years?

Tiburon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 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, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tiburon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Hyundai Tiburon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission4353%
Tires & Wheels79%
Airbags67%
Lighting45%
Suspension45%
Visibility & Wipers34%
Brakes34%
Electrical System34%
Other34%
Steering22%
Speed Control11%
Engine11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2006 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

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

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAVE A 2006 HYUNDAI TIBORON AND THE CLUTCH WENT AFTER ONLY 33,000 MILES. ABSOLUTELY UNHEARD OF! THE WARRANTY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE SO WONDERFUL, IS ONLY FOR 12,000 MILES OR ONE YEAR ON THE CLUTCH! I HAVE HEARD ABOUT MANY OTHER PEOPLE SAYING HOW BADLY MADE THE CLUTCH PARTS ARE ON THE HYUNDAI'S.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 10, 2010

“DRIVING WEST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 10 FWY APPROXIMATE TIME 2:30A.M. I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. THE BLOWOUT IN TURN MADE ME LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND I WENT INTO A SPIN CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A POST ON THE SIDE OF THE FWY. UPON CRASHING INTO THE POST MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AT WHICH TIME THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 22, 2008 · crash

“DRIVING WEST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 10 FWY APPROXIMATE TIME 2:30A.M. I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. THE BLOWOUT IN TURN MADE ME LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND I WENT INTO A SPIN CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A POST ON THE SIDE OF THE FWY. UPON CRASHING INTO THE POST MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AT WHICH TIME THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 22, 2008 · crash

“MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2006 TIBURON AND HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS GOING OUT OF IT. IT WAS IN THE SHOP TO GET THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING FIXED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THE MONTH AFTER THAT SHE STARTED HEARING THE SAME NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR THE PASSENGER SIDE . WELL I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 8, 2007 · crash

“I WAS STOPPED THIS PASS WEEKEND AND TOLD MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING, WAS TOLD BY THE STATE TROOPER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON TIBURON MODELS BETWEEN THE YRS OF 2006-2008 ON STOP LAMPS DURING BRAKE DON'T ILLUMINATE AND TO GET THEM CHECKED OUT...SURE ENOUGH I FOUND THE RECALL ONLINE, I CALLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 26, 2013

2006 Hyundai Tiburon — common questions

Is the 2006 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tiburon: 81 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Tiburon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (43 complaints), tires & wheels (7 complaints), airbags (6 complaints).

Does the 2006 Hyundai Tiburon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 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.