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Every generation
Power
Combined, EPA 2008
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on ownership expectations and maintenance history.
5 problems reported (1 very frequent, 2 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentTiming belt failure
The timing belt and water pump require service every 5 years/60,000 miles as a critical maintenance item; failure leads to catastrophic engine damage.
- RecurrentElectrical issues
Random failures including window motors, battery cable/connector failures at the fuse box leading to no-start conditions, and other unspecified electrical gremlins.
- RecurrentGeneral OEM part quality/reliability
Dashboard switch failures, concerns about long-term durability of some components compared to Japanese rivals.
+ 2 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedPremature clutch wear
Stock clutch rated for insufficient torque, leading to wear in under 12,000 miles on the V6 GT model.
- IsolatedDifficulty sourcing parts
As a discontinued model, finding certain replacement parts can become challenging.
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" trim. The GT trim with the V6 engine is mentioned, and the 6-speed manual transmission is noted as a desirable configuration. The second-generation model (2003-2008) is the primary subject of discussion.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Honda Civic Si, Acura RSX, Acura Integra, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Subaru Impreza WRX.
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Overall sentiment
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on ownership expectations and maintenance history. Long-term owners frequently report high reliability and durability, with many vehicles reaching 150,000 to 230,000 miles with minimal major issues, describing them as running "like a dream" or being "rock solid." The vehicle is consistently praised for being a fun, affordable, and practical entry-level sports coupe, offering decent power, fun handling, and a unique look. However, a significant portion of feedback highlights a pattern of specific mechanical and electrical failures, including premature clutch wear, timing belt/water pump service as a critical failure point, and various electrical gremlins. The car is widely acknowledged as offering excellent value on the used market, often selling for significantly less than contemporary competitors like the Honda Civic Si or Acura RSX. The consensus is that a well-maintained, unmodified example is a reliable and enjoyable budget sports car, but one with a known set of age-related vulnerabilities.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as a budget-friendly, front-wheel-drive sports coupe alternative to more established and expensive Japanese competitors. It is consistently noted as being significantly cheaper to purchase used than a comparable Honda Civic Si or Acura RSX, which command premium prices due to brand reputation. Compared to the Mitsubishi Eclipse, it is seen as lighter. It is considered a "starter sporty liftback coupe" and a practical daily driver, but is not generally regarded as a top-tier performance vehicle within its segment. The subsequent Genesis Coupe is viewed as a more serious, rear-wheel-drive successor.
Recommended configurations
A manual transmission is implied as the preferred choice for enthusiasts. The V6 engine (2.7L Delta) is noted for its sound and power potential. Strong emphasis is placed on purchasing a clean, unmodified, and well-maintained example from a private seller, with a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Confirming the timing belt and water pump service history is critically important due to its status as a primary failure point. Avoiding examples that have been modified or abused by previous owners is repeatedly advised.
General recommendations
Highly recommended as a cheap, reliable, and fun used sports coupe for budget-conscious buyers, particularly as a first sporty car. Essential to have a mechanically inclined friend or a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection. Focus on finding a low-mileage, single-owner vehicle with complete service records. Be prepared to invest approximately $2,000 USD shortly after purchase to address deferred maintenance and make the vehicle "reasonably bulletproof," including fluids, belts, hoses, and suspension components. Not recommended for buyers unwilling to perform or fund preventative maintenance, particularly the timing belt service. Excellent value is found in the $2,000-$6,000 USD price range for examples with 55,000-120,000 miles.
Remarks
Owner experiences are sharply divided between those who report exceptional, trouble-free longevity and those who cite multiple failures, often attributed to poor maintenance or inherent part quality. This dichotomy is likely explained by the vehicle's history as an affordable sports coupe often purchased by younger buyers who may have deferred maintenance or modified the cars aggressively. The timing belt service is the single most emphasized and non-negotiable maintenance item across all owner discussions. The vehicle's reputation for reliability is often contrasted with the perceived poor reliability of newer Hyundai engines (e.g., Theta II). Its steep depreciation makes it a standout value proposition in the current used market, but necessitates careful vetting to avoid neglected examples. Analysis based on approximately 55 substantive owner discussions spanning models from 2001 to 2009.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearWorst year: 2003. Years to avoid: 2003Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all Hyundai Tiburon years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 19 | 1 | air bags |
| 2007 | 42 | 1 | power train |
| 2006 | 64 | 1 | power train |
| 2005 | 43 | 1 | power train |
| 2004 | 82 | 0 | power train |
| 2003 | 328 | 9 | power train |
| 2002 | 8 | 4 | power train |
| 2001 | 36 | 1 | seat belts |
| 2000 | 59 | 1 | seat belts |
| 1999 | 33 | 3 | electrical system |
| 1998 | 30 | 1 | power train |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices23 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2008 · exterior lighting:brake lights:switchcampaign 13V113000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
2007 · exterior lighting:brake lights:switchcampaign 13V113000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
2006 · exterior lighting:brake lights:switchcampaign 13V113000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
2005 · steering:linkages:tie rod assemblycampaign 05V187000
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THREADED PORTIONS OF THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLY'S LEFT AND RIGHT INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN INTERNAL CRACKS IN THE MATERIAL STRUCTURE.
2003 · suspension:front:control armcampaign 09V125000
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.
2003 · fuel system, gasoline:storagecampaign 04V369000
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.
2003 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 03V257000
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.
2003 · seat belts:front:buckle assemblycampaign 03V290000
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.
2003 · air bags:frontalcampaign 03V321000
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.
2003 · seat belts:front:buckle assemblycampaign 02V290000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.
2003 · fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblycampaign 04V178000
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.
2003 · unknown or othercampaign 02V044000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET WAS NOT INSTALLED.
2003 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 03V496000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
2002 · fuel system, gasoline:storagecampaign 04V369000
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.
2002 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingscampaign 03V257000
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.
8 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
Enthusiast code: GK
2.7 V6 Shiftronic
2.7L 6-cylinder · 172 hp · FWD · automatic
Built 2006–2008