Is the Hyundai Tiburon Reliable?
1997–2008 defect & recall-risk analysis from citable NHTSA data.
The score ranks this model's recall intensity against other sportss — plus systemic-defect concentration and any open federal investigations. It measures defect and recall risk, not long-term mechanical durability, and is deliberately not skewed by how many were sold.
Reliability Score
Own a Hyundai Tiburon? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Hyundai Tiburon Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 17 | — | — | 57 | Fair |
| 2007 | 1 | 23 | 3 | — | 57 | Fair |
| 2006 | 1 | 52 | 11 | — | 57 | Fair |
| 2005 | 0 | 22 | 3 | — | 57 | Fair |
| 2004 | 0 | 60 | 2 | 1 | 57 | Fair |
| 2003 | 8 | 198 | 7 | 1 | 57 | Fair |
| 2002 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 57 | Fair |
| 2001 | 1 | 47 | 10 | — | 57 | Fair |
| 2000 | 1 | 39 | 9 | — | 57 | Fair |
| 1999 | 2 | 26 | 3 | — | 57 | Fair |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Tiburon Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Tiburon scores 2 points below the average sports. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
Known Hyundai Tiburon Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 485 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hyundai Tiburon reliable?+
The Hyundai Tiburon scores 72/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 18 recall campaigns and 485 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Tiburon is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2008 Tiburon achieved the highest reliability score of 57/100 with 1 recall and 17 complaints.
How many miles does a Tiburon last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Hyundai Tiburon owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Tiburon will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Hyundai Tiburon Research
Check a Specific Hyundai Tiburon VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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