1998 Hyundai Tiburon: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 26 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
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 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle does not shift out of second gear, resulting in stalling. Consumer is concerned that the vehicle will stall in traffic which may cause a rear end collision. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2004
“The vehicle's exhaust manifold cracked. The consumer could smell exhaust fumes when the hood was opened. *ak *nlm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2003
“1998 hyundai tiburon, automatic transaxles: car purchased new in 1998. Experienced engine stumble referenced in tsb 98-36-008, but no one could ever find anything wrong. Should have been a recall. Currently having problems with electrical system and transmission- car downshifts and gets stuck in 3rd gear when headlights on and turn signal activated (tsb 98-40-006?) still dealer can find nothing. I have seen numerous stories on internet forums at hyundaiperformance.com, yet hyundai refuses to inform its consumers of these issues. This should be investigated and a recall should be issued. Service dealer ignored requests to return my calls concerning its status. *la”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“Consumer stated that in her daughter's vehicle engine check light kept coming on, and when it did, while driving vehicle lost power. After loss of power, it took a long time to regain power. Then, vehicle ran sluggish for a while. Had taken vehicle to the dealer and had it repaired twice, but the problem kept reappearing.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2003
“My 16 year old daughter rear ended a vehicle and the airbag deployed breaking her elbow in 6 places and her humerus detached from the elbow. The accident happened on february 13, 2003 and she has limited use of her right arm as of today. She has had two surgeries and goes to occupational rehab three times a week. Please let me know if you have had any other complaints about injuries from the airbags in the 1998 tiburon.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2003
“When driving at times will have trouble accelerateing to higher speeds, and then vehicle will start to jerk before it starts to move.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2002
“He was traveling about 35mph on boulevard and it was raining. Vehicle in front of him jammed the brakes. He started hydroplaning, and vehicle wouldn't stop. Dual air bags didn't deploy at all. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2000
“Recall 01v345000/manufacturer recall 2001; front lap and shoulder belts do not retract back. Problem happened one year ago and was not fixed. Notifications will be sent out in december 2001. *ak dealer was supposed to contact consumer once a hyundai technician came for a visit, however consumer never heard from the dealer. *slc”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2000
“Brake smake a deep grinding noise. Rotors were checked out by 2 service centers. Service station said they had never seen anything like it. There were multiple cracks in each of the rotors. Dealer stated it was okay, but there was some form of rust. Also, shoes had scored several marks in each rotor. Dealer said it was safe to ride on. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2000
“While driving all of a suddden the seat belt buckle just released on its own. This happened about 4 times on the driver's side, and once on the passenger's side. Currently, vehicle is at the dealership. Please provide any further information. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 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 1998 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has 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.