1997 Hyundai Tiburon: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 hyundai tiburon. The contact stated that after having the vehicle serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 00v095001 (fuel system, gasoline), there was a persistent strong smell of fuel. The contact removed the back seat to inspect the access port for the fuel tank and discovered a 4 inch fracture on the steel fuel tank. The contact reached out to the dealer to inform that NHTSA campaign number: 00v095001 (fuel system, gasoline) had not been performed. The dealer declined to service the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 243,420.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2014
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 hyundai tiburon. While driving approximately 50 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they found a leak in the fuel tank as determined by a pressure check. Hyundai was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The recall number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2008
“Check engine light came on while driving and car began to heat up, the driver side airbag came on as well;took it in for maintenance and the alternator was replaced however the airbag problem was not corrected and remains on. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Consumer stated driver's front seat belts did not hold the passenger in the seat. Dealer indicated there was no recall on front seat belt. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2004
“While driving the hood latch failed and the hood flew up onto the windshield, destroyed the hood and latches, damaged the roof, and injured driver. *nlm”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2003
“Air bag light illuminates indicating a malfunction. Light flashes first and then stays on. This will be the second time going in for repairs to dealer in 6months. Please provide more information.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2002
“All four seat belts; driver/ front passenger, and two rear ones will not retract after being pulled out, which will not hold when brakes are applied. Please provide more information.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2002
“Consumer was traveling about 30mph and coming off ramp when vehicle in front jammed on brakes and consumer's vehicle skidded into back of other vehicle. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Dealership was aware of problem. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2001
“While traveling on highway airbag light came on dashboard. Clock spring has been replaced a year ago. Consumer was complaining that air bag light came on again. Dealership was aware of problem. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2001
“Consumer is calling to report that vehicle has a fuel leak. Dealer has been contatced. Please provide further details.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WOULD THEN ILLUMINATE AND, IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tiburon by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon. The most complained-about area is air bags (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Hyundai Tiburon problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 103,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:webbing. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.