2002 Hyundai Tiburon: common problems and reliability

The 2002 Hyundai Tiburon has 8 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags. Owners most often flag timing 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. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2002 model year

8
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Hyundai Tiburon vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2002 a good year for the Tiburon?

Across the 5 Tiburon model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2002) to 82 (2004). With 8 complaints, the 2002 Tiburon sits belowthe model's median of 33.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

power train
2
air bags
2
engine and engine cooling
1
electrical system
1
equipment
1

Recalls affecting the 2002 Tiburon

fuel system, gasoline:storage

Campaign 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

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Campaign 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 (

fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

Campaign 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.

service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Campaign 03V496000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

What owners say across generations

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…

  • Timing 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. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Electrical issues: Random failures including window motors, battery cable/connector failures at the fuse box leading to no-start conditions, and other unspecified electrical gremlins. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Tiburon. See the full Tiburon owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Tiburon listings typically run $4,393–$6,499 across 2001 to 2008 model years.

Other Tiburon model years

Compare every Tiburon year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Tiburon against its rivals