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1997 Hyundai Tiburon problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon is transmission and drivetrain. It has fewer complaints than a typical Tiburon model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
36
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
66
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
21-23mpg

The worst 1997 Hyundai Tiburon problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    9
  • Airbags
    8
  • Fuel system
    6
  • Visibility
    6
  • Engine
    5
  • Electrical
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Locks
    3
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Tires
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon

Check engine light 6

Recalls 4

Seat belts: front: webbingReported November 6, 2001 · 42,782 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 01V345000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported July 21, 2000 · 7,111 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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.

Recall number 00V095002 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported March 28, 2000 · 84,020 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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.

Recall number 00V095001 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported February 26, 1997 · 74,965 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.
Risk
This contamination interferes with the electrical circuit continuity and prevents the windshield wiper motor from operating. Inoperative windshield wipers can contribute to reduced visibility during inclement weather increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the contaminants from the windshield wiper motor circuit breaker contacts.

Recall number 97V026000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon

Defect investigations

Fuel cap replacement campaign 36Opened February 2, 2000, still open

There is no summary currently available

SQ00003

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon 66

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 66 bulletins for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon

1997 Hyundai Tiburon fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylFWD19-2027-2922-23
2.0L 4‑cylFWD18-1926-2721-22

What 1997 Hyundai Tiburon owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 5, 2014 · Fuel system · 243,420 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 hyundai tiburon. The contact stated that after having the vehicle serviced under the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 4, 2009 · Fuel system · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 hyundai tiburon. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have it repaired according to recall campaign id number 00v095002 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). There was not a remedy repair performed on the vehicle. After the inspection the "check engine" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunctions. The technician stated that there was an inspection performed under the prior recall, so the vehicle was denied a free remedy repair. The current mileage was 183,000.

Filed Mar 26, 2008 · Fuel system · 125,000 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Sep 22, 2005 · Fuel system · 83,539 miles · CA

Smelled gas fumes strongly upon fill-up for several days, check engine light. Took car in. Mechanic said recall #00v095002 was in effect on my vehicle. Took it to dealership to have them replace defective parts (tank & cap). Dealership only replaced cap but did not tell me at the time. Went to smog car next year and comes up with evaporative leak. Took back to dealership who told me "there is a huge leak on the top of your gas tank." will not replace for free. Called manufacturer who said that dealership claims there was no leak at time of original inspection. Manufacturer said they are not under obligation to replace tank due to their claim that it was not cracked at the time of fuel cap replacement. Spoke with kasey at hyundai on 9/22 at 2:15 pm. Recall notice clearly states that "tank must be replaced if cracked, regardless of vehicle's age or mileage."

Filed Dec 28, 2004 · Airbags, Electrical · VA

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.

Filed Oct 22, 2004 · Electrical · 103,000 miles · IL

Connsumer stated electrical system failed.

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Seat belts · PA

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.

Filed May 11, 2003 · Locks · 71,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Aug 17, 2002 · Transmission · PA

6 transmissions replaced within 40,000 miles...all rebuilt and all have problems with slipping and very hard shifting. I would like a transmission that works the engine and all other parts of car are in good condition. Car has been serviced regularly. Now dealership is trying to tell me that the transmission slip is just the way it 'smoothes' into the next gear. Even my passengers comment on the way the car the shifts. I have been inconvienced for at least a day or more to find alternate transportation so that they can install rebuilt transmissions. Some of the service people have told me that hyundia has great difficulty rebuilding transmissions. The huyndai represetative will not allow them to install a new transmission. All transmissions are giving out before their 12,000 warrenty expires. All repalcements have been in the past two years. I have been satisfied with their honoring the warrenty. My last service call the manager ken beard told me he would again contact huyndai and ask about transmission replacement and contact me but that has not happened in 3 weeks. I have contacte dthe owner and his controller frenchetta thompson has assured me that he will return my call this week. I only own one car and I need to be able to depend on it to get to work, there is no public transportation available. Even when asked the dealer refuses to let me use a loaner car. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. I have read an article in a car magazine stating that huyndai made much needed improvements to their 2003 transmission.

Filed Jul 5, 2002 · Airbags · IL

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.

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Questions about the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon

Is the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon, fewer than a typical Tiburon model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints. Next is airbags (8).

How many recalls does the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon have?

4 recalls, covering seat belts, fuel system, gasoline and visibility.

What year does the Hyundai Tiburon have bad transmission?

The Hyundai Tiburon model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (164 complaints), 2006 (42 complaints) and 2004 (39 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon get?

Official estimates for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon range from 21 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 27-29 highway.

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