Model year record

1999 Hyundai Tiburon recalls & problems

The 1999 Hyundai Tiburon has 3 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints26filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsNov 6, 2001

Front › Webbing

Recall 01V34500042,782 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE SEAT BELTS ARE INCONVENIENT TO USE, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE INCLINED TO WEAR THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentJul 26, 1999

Other › Labels

Recall 99V198000649 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," WAS MISPRINTED. IT INCORRECTLY CONTAINS THE TIRE SIZES, SEATING CAPACITY, AND LUGGAGE CAPACITY.
Risk: EXCESSIVE LOADING CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Power trainJul 7, 1999

Automatic transmission

Recall 99V17800011,530 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE APPLICATION TO THE CLUTCHES, BRAKE, AND KICKDOWN SERVO, ALLOWING THEM TO SLIP.
Risk: SUCH SLIPPAGE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FRICTION ELEMENT SURFACES AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, OR NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Tiburon

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Tiburon

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; 12v/24v/48v battery	10	0	0	44,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	6	0	0	93,500 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly	6	0	0	36,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	5	0	0	—
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	4	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	4	3	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	3	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	0	0	—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	2	0	0	—
Tires	2	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	2	1	—
StructureBody › Hatchback/liftgate	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
1999 HYUNDAI TIBURON CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS FAULTY IN A LOT OF THESE CARS I KEEP HEARING ABOUT HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TIBURON. *TR
May 20, 2011 · 120,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 99V178000 FOR A HYUNDAI TIBURON 1999. THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE CONSEQUENCES DETAILED IN THE CAMPAIGN. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE CAMPAIGN DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE VIN#. I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS BASED ON THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUES THE VEHICLE HAS RELATED TO ACCELERATION AND THE FACT THAT MY CAR FITS THE MODEL, YEAR AND MAKE OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN.
Mar 22, 2010 · 98,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
VEHICLE LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION SPORADICALLY. WHEN CAR STOPPED AND IDLE, ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY TRYING TO OVERRIDE BRAKES. *TR
Aug 13, 2009 · 113,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
MY DAUGHTER HAS A 1999 HYUNDAI TIBURON AND IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRANSMISSION, I SEEN WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HER CAR JUST DOWN SHIFTED AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS IT WOULD NOT GO, WE GOT IF OFF THE ROAD AND PUT IT OUT OF GEAR. I DROVE IT HOME AND IT DONE ME THE SAME WAY. NOW IT WILL GO SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T. *TR
Apr 10, 2008 · 89,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA # 01V345000 RECALL CONCERNING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING, WAS RECEIVED IN 2001. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, THE WEBBING DOES NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM
Feb 21, 2006 · 50,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED, AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LATCH. *AK THE FEMALE RECEPTACLE BUCKLE NO LONGER WORKED. *TC *JB
Aug 16, 2004 · 36,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE THAT TURNED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
Aug 26, 2004 · 94,500 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY ONE DEALER THAT HE NEEDED TO HAVE ENGINE CLEANED OUT AND USE A DIFFERENT GAS. CONSUMER STATED THIS HE DID. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE MECHANICS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL LINE BECAUSE IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT HE USED SOME CONTAMINATED GAS. BUT, NOTHING WILL STOP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FROM COMING ON. *AK
Aug 6, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.