The Lemon Index
2001
2003Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 19,963 in the U.S. in 2002 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 04V369000 (fuel system, gasoline), 04V178000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 03V496000 (brakes) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Hyundai sent dealers 34 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hyundai's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 2 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
While traveling at 70 mph, the consumer applied the brakes and the steering wheel had gone to the left and caused the consumer to hit the guardrail. The vehicle was totaled upon impact. Also, none of the air bags deployed.
2002 Hyundai Tiburon owner · NHTSA complaint 10038378
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 34 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
- Higher-than-expected engine oil
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2004
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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.
- Brakes · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Show all 4 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Hyundai Tiburon recall, all years · All Hyundai recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
Every Hyundai Tiburon year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (1997–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Hyundai Tiburon years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-tiburon/?y=2002" title="Hyundai Tiburon reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/hyundai-tiburon/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Hyundai Tiburon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
We can't score it: only 19,963 were sold in the U.S. in 2002 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Tiburon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (50%), airbags (50%) and tires (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon have?
4 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon get?
19 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Tiburon year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about one and a half times the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works