The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, gasoline started spilling from the filler neck. The contact stated that the vehicle was refueling very slowly. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 04V178000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the interior door handles had detached from the vehicle The ABS warning light was also illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer who replaced the fuel tank; however, the other repairs were not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
The worst 2003 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.
- Transmission164
- Airbags71
- Electrical34
- Seat belts23
- Fuel system15
- Lights14
- Suspension13
- Visibility13
- Engine12
- Body10
- Brakes10
- Steering7
- Tires7
- Locks4
- Acceleration3
- Wheels3
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
Airbag light 43Seat belt 22Slipping 17No deployment 12Ball joint 10Headlights 8Stalling 8Power windows 7Grinding brakes 6Door locks 6Fire or smoke 5Won't shift 5
Recalls 9
Suspension: front: control arm
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling 160,904 my 2001-2003 elantra and my 2003 tiburon vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Road salt used during the winter months in these jurisdictions may result in internal corrosion and thinning of the steel in the front lower control arms. The corrosion may progress to the point where the lower control arm's upper and lower panels become perforated. A perforated front lower control arm may fracture between its ball joint attachment and the forward and rearward pivot attachments to the chassis.
- Risk
- The fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the front lower control arms for corrosion damage. If specified levels of internal corrosion damage are found, the front lower control arms will be replaced with new front lower control arms incorporating additional holes in the upper and lower panels. If the front lower control arms do not require replacement, the dealer will add drainage holes to the front lower control arms and will treat the front lower control arms with rust-proofing materials to arrest the internal corrosion process. These procedures will be performed free of charge. The recall began on august 17, 2009. Owners may contact the hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 09V125000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity" a valve on the fuel tank assembly may not close properly. If a vehicle rolls over and the fuel tank assembly valve is not properly closed, fuel spillage may occur.
- Risk
- Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. The recall began on october 5, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai de puerto rico at 1‑800‑981‑0188.
Recall number 04V369000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Some passenger vehicles contain a fuel tank assembly valve that may not close properly. If a vehicle with a fuel tank assembly valve that is not properly closed were to roll over, fuel spillage may occur.
- Risk
- Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve. Owner notification began on june 30, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 04V178000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
- Risk
- Contact between the rear brake tubes and the steering gearbox mounting brackets may result in rear brake tube wear and corrosion, increasing the risk of brake fluid leakage. Brake fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes, install brake tube clips, and apply anti-corrosion material to the rear brake tubes. Owner notification began january 22, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai of puerto rico at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 03V496000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the front passenger air bag is mounted beneath the right portion of the instrument panel's padded surface. Tear lines are formed into the underside of the instrument panel's padded surface during the production process of the instrument panel top pad. These tear lines allow a portion of the instrument panel surface to fold upward if the passenger air bag deploys.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the air bag may not deploy properly, possibly resulting in serious injury to the right front passenger.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will replace the instrument panel. Owner notification began on october 13, 2003. 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 of america at 1‑800‑633‑5151, or if the vehicle is located in puerto rico, hyundai of puerto rico at 1‑800‑981‑0188.
Recall number 03V321000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the driver seat belt buckle wiring could be damaged by interference with the driver seat cushion height adjuster mechanism. Damaged driver seat belt buckle wiring could cause the seat belt warning lamp or the supplemental restraint system (SRS) air bag wiring lamp to illuminate. It could also cause the air bag fuse (cavity number 5) to open, preventing air bag deployment. Damaged driver seat belt buckle wiring could cause the seat belt warning lamp or the supplemental restraint system (SRS) air bag wiring lamp to illuminate. It could also cause the air bag fuse (cavity number 5) to open, preventing air bag deployment.
- Risk
- Nondeployment of an SRS air bag in a crash where air bag deployment is warranted could increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new driver seat belt buckle, if necessary, and will place a protective cover over the driver seat belt buckle wiring to prevent damage from occurring. Owner notification began september 23, 2003. Owners should contact hyundai of puerto rico at 1‑899‑981‑0188.
Recall number 03V290000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the rear brake tubes pass behind the front suspension crossmember. Two steering gearbox mounting brackets are welded to the crossmember. On vehicles equipped with an antilock brake system (ABS), the rear brake tubes could contact both steering gearbox mounting brackets. On vehicles that are not equipped with ABS, the rear brake tubes may contact only the left mounting bracket. Contact between the rear brake tubes and the steering brackets could cause wear and corrosion that could result in brake fluid leakage.
- Risk
- Fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes so they do not contact the mounting brackets, install brake tube clips to control the location of the rear brake tubes, and apply anti-corrosion material to the tubes in the areas where contact with the mounting brackets may have occurred. Owner notification began on october 13, 2003. Owners should contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 03V257000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the driver seat belt buckle wiring could be damaged by interference with the driver seat cushion height adjuster mechanism.
- Risk
- Damaged driver seat belt buckle wiring could cause the seat belt warning lamp or the supplemental restraint system (SRS) air bag wiring lamp to illuminate. It could also cause the air bag fuse (cavity number 5) to open, preventing air bag deployment. Nondeployment of an SRS air bag in a crash where air bag deployment is warranted could increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new driver seat belt buckle, if necessary, and will place a protective cover over the driver seat belt buckle wiring to prevent damage from occurring. Owner notification began on march 24, 2003. 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 02V290000 · Recall details
Unknown or other
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the left lower instrument panel bracket was not installed.
- Risk
- If this bracket has not been installed, there may be an increased likelihood of injury or increased severity of injury in a frontal crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if the bracket has been installed. If the bracket has not been installed, the dealer will install the left lower instrument panel bracket. Owner notification began march 4, 2002. 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 02V044000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon 113
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger...
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- The federal safety agency has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit...
- The federal safety agency has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag...
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the...
- This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover...
- This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
- Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships
- Follow the guidelines outlined in
2003 Hyundai Tiburon fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 27-28 | 22-23 |
| 2.7L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-17 | 24 | 19-20 |
What 2003 Hyundai Tiburon owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai tiburon. The contact stated while going to turn the battery off under the hood due to the driver hazard light was illuminating, there was black smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver wiring harness caused the fire and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact contacted winner hyundai (591 s dupont hwy, dover, de 19901) where they informed that there were no recalls. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 196,641.
Vapor purge canister malfunction front end failure bad gaskets
I was driving to my brother place when a wire started to smoke and cought on fire from under the steering wheel it was smokey where I could not see from the smoke and I hit a parked car front windshield shattered and my airbag did not exposed at all. It was on a city street no one got hurt just the car
In motion on city street
The airbag in my car is on permanently. I researched the problem and found that there was a recall for this. It is caused by a wiring problem with the driver side seatbelt buckle under the seat.I was told that my VIN is not included in the recall. I replaced the seatbelt buckle and within a month the airbag light was back on.
Bad body control module. Turn signals and flashers don't work. Vehicle was stationary. All fuses have been replaced and still no turn signals or flashers. It's a relay bad in the bcm.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai tiburon. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the passenger side seat belt buckle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to the folsom lake and roseville hyundai dealers where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side seat belt buckle failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 9607148. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
When pumping gas the pump constantly clicks off and won't allow me to put the gas in. Very strong raw wet gas smell inside and out side of the car . Followed the instructions on cleaning charcoal canister there was no problems there and the gas problems continue. The smell is noticed after driving and during idle.
Crossmember or cradle badly corroded
Compare the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
Other model years
Questions about the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
Is the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
Owners have filed 328 complaints about the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, 7.6 times a typical Tiburon model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon year score?
The 2003 Hyundai Tiburon scores 5 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Hyundai Tiburon: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 164 complaints, typically around 30,625 miles. Next is airbags (71).
How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon have?
9 recalls, covering suspension, fuel system, gasoline and service brakes, hydraulic.
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 2003 Hyundai Tiburon get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 27-28 highway.
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