The Lemon Index
200320052nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Better years to buy
40 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Nissan 350Z 3372004 Chrysler Concorde2004 Scion xB
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 31,000 miles (24,000–50,000 km) (the middle half of the 33 complaints, of all 40 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
- 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?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
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 40 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 15K to 31K miles (24K to 50K km) on the car (33 of all 40 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
The clutch on my 2004 Hyundai Tiburon failed at 32,000 miles. It necessitated the replacement of the clutch and flywheel, at an expense of about $2,500.00 the clutch failed me while I was on the freeway, 1200 miles from my home.
2004 Hyundai Tiburon owner · NHTSA complaint 10156919
More owner reports
2004 Hyundai Tiburon gt v6 16k with a blown clutch and warped flywheel! Hyundai won't cover their mistake! Plus they want to charge me $71.50 just to look at my car even though it has 16k miles and the warranty is until 60k miles.
NHTSA complaint 10151833
2004 Tiburon had a problem with the air condition, speakers rattle, cigarette lighter and problems when switching to first and reverse gears.
NHTSA complaint 10174335
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 2004 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.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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. 2004 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 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-tiburon/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Hyundai Tiburon reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 234; 100 is average, lower is better). The Hyundai Tiburon year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2004 Hyundai Tiburon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (62%), airbags (25%) and suspension (5%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Hyundai Tiburon problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 31,000 miles (24,000–50,000 km) (the middle half of the 33 complaints, of all 40 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 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 2004 Hyundai Tiburon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 62% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 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 2004 Hyundai Tiburon have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Tiburon year is better than the 2004?
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