Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:clutch Assembly — runs 5.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
328Complaints
9Recalls
33Crashes
7Fires
21Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:clutch Assembly (37.5% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Power Train:clutch Assembly complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Power Train:clutch Assembly
123 · 37.5%
not available
—
Air Bags
41 · 12.5%
Recalled
Recall 03V321000
Power Train:manual Transmission
33 · 10.1%
not available
—
Electrical System
28 · 8.5%
not available
—
Air Bags:frontal
19 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 03V321000
Seat Belts
15 · 4.6%
Recalled
Recall 03V290000 · Recall 02V290000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS9 · 2.7%
SUSPENSION8 · 2.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8 · 2.4%
Percentages are the share of the 328 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THIS BRACKET HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY OR INCREASED SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING FROM FOURTH TO FIFTH GEAR AT 55 MPH, THE CLUTCH MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10150730 — filed 02/21/2006 · POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
“MY CLUTCH IS REALLY SLIPPING BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HEARD MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS COMPLAINT. I THINK THE ISSUE WITH THE…”NHTSA complaint 10150450 — filed 02/16/2006 · POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
“I'M JOINING THE 1,000 OR SO PEOPLE ON THIS SITE ALONE WHO OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON GT V6 6 SPEED. MY CLUTCH WENT OUT…”NHTSA complaint 10148151 — filed 01/19/2006 · POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon?
Power train:clutch assembly issues are the most-reported category, cited in 123 of 328 NHTSA complaints (37.5%), followed by air bags (41), power train:manual transmission (33), electrical system (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon have?
328 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 33 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 21 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09V125000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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