Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2003 Hyundai Tiburon recalls
Suspension: front, control arm
NHTSA campaign 09V125000 · reported April 16, 2009 · Hyundai Motor Company · 160,904 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that may increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
NHTSA campaign 04V369000 · reported July 26, 2004 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO · 919 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly
NHTSA campaign 04V178000 · reported April 9, 2004 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 263,968 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA campaign 03V496000 · reported December 3, 2003 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO · 1,993 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Air bags: frontal
NHTSA campaign 03V321000 · reported August 26, 2003 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 49 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Seat belts: front, buckle assembly
NHTSA campaign 03V290000 · reported August 5, 2003 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO · 36 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA campaign 03V257000 · reported July 22, 2003 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 312,292 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Seat belts: front, buckle assembly
NHTSA campaign 02V290000 · reported November 5, 2002 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 7,382 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the driver seat belt buckle wiring could be damaged by interference with the driver seat cushion height adjuster mechanism.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Unknown or other
NHTSA campaign 02V044000 · reported February 8, 2002 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 1,174 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the left lower instrument panel bracket was not installed.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Aug 29, 2022 · Fuel system, gasoline · 147,000 miles
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…
Mar 19, 2020 · Electrical system · 196,641 miles · fire reported
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…
Dec 8, 2019 · Service brakes · 158,000 miles
VAPOR PURGE CANISTER MALFUNCTION FRONT END FAILURE BAD GASKETS
Oct 28, 2019 · Electrical system · 135,125 miles · fire reported
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
Oct 4, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system
IN MOTION ON CITY STREET
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 29, 2022.