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1998 Hyundai TiburonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 26 owner complaints about the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

67
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years51% below the Tiburon median · #10 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints264 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage85kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 1, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon has problems

26 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train60
Engine and engine cooling60
Electrical system50
Seat belts40
Air bags32
Service brakes, hydraulic32
Vehicle speed control30
Wheels20
Fuel system, gasoline20
4 other systems40

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1998 Hyundai Tiburon recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: webbing

Recall 01V-345 · Nov 6, 2001 · 42,782 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Tiburon year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tiburon median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36SQ00003 · still open
    Led to recall 00V-095
In owners' words

What Tiburon owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10067348 · Apr 19, 2004 · 84,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10041581 · Oct 10, 2003 · 85,000 miles
SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 1998 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WON'T DOWNSHIFT TO PASS, IT SLIPPED, AND SOMETIMES VEHICLE WOULD BARELY MOVE AFTER STOPPING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Complaint 864052 · Jun 22, 2000

Own a 1998 Tiburon?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.