The Lemon Index
200220042nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
180 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Honda Insight2003 Mazda 6262003 Nissan 350Z 462
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 40,000 miles (19,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 135 complaints, of all 180 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09V125000 (suspension), 04V369000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 04V178000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Hyundai sent dealers 113 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject regarding automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed shifts”?
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 180 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 →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 39K miles (19K to 64K km) on the car (135 of all 180 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Clutch failure in a hyundia, Tiburon with only 15,000 miles of use.
2003 Hyundai Tiburon owner · NHTSA complaint 10045919
More owner reports
My 2003 Hyundai Tiburon has about 23,000 miles on it and the clutch is blown. This is my second replacement. I replaced both times with oem parts and Hyundai corp are not helping what so ever.
NHTSA complaint 10152330
While driving approximately 30 mph, the side air bag deployed inadvertently. As a result the vehicle swerved to the right and hit a curb. The vehicle sustain damage to the passenger side front tire, rim and suspension.
NHTSA complaint 10044389
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.3M views · 2003–2008 Hyundai Tiburon
Most-watched topics
- Spark plugs & ignition coils96K views
Changing Spark Plugs 2006 Hyundai Tiburon 2.7L V6xcountrycowboy · 82K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door83K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2007 Hyundai Tiburon | AQ1053Filterheads · 81K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS78K views
Rear brake pad replacement 2008 Hyundai Tiburon Rotors Install Remove ReplaceFixing cars and stuff · 78K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical63K views
How to replace alternator on 2003 Hyundai TiburonAdam Hamrick · 48K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter50K views
Transmission service 2008 Hyundai Tiburon.Fluid ReplacementFixing cars and stuff · 33K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors50K views
How to Install an Intake on a 2008 Hyundai TiburonJulioTRD · 36K views · 3 videos - Cooling system34K views
2003 Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Tiburon GT radiator replacementLets Fix IT · 31K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors32K views
2003-2008 HYUNDAI TIBURON INSIDE DOOR HANDLE REPLACEMENT TUTORIALGearmo Auto · 14K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
Hyundai Tiburon GT v6 2003 starting problemsHomie Jesus · 16K views
2008 Hyundai Tiburon VS 2010 Genesis Coupe In Depth Review and Comparison, Start Up, and ExhaustsSaabkyle04 · 435K views
Top Gear -- Hyundai Coupe (Tiburon) 2003 reviewClarksonian · 139K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 113 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed shifts
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Suspension · recall issued 2009
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, M…
- 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.
Show all 9 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
- Airbags · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS MOUNTED BENEATH THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL'S PADDED SURFACE.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.
- Brakes · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD BE DAMAGED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION HEIGHT ADJUSTER MECHANISM.
- Unknown or other · recall issued 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL BRACKET WAS NOT INSTALLED.
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–$3,000 (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. 2003 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-tiburon/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Hyundai Tiburon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 5 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 537; 100 is average, lower is better). The Hyundai Tiburon year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2003 Hyundai Tiburon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (68%), airbags (17%) and electrical (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon have?
9 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Tiburon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 40,000 miles (19,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 135 complaints, of all 180 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 68% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Tiburon year is better than the 2003?
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