The 1997 Hyundai Tiburon has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 208,878 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS01V3450002001-11-0642,782 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS MAY NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY THROUGH THE D-RING GUIDES MOUNTED ON THE BODY PILLARS AFT OF THE DOORS. IF THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY, THEY MAY TWIST IN THE D-RING GUIDES AND MAKE IT INCONVENIENT TO EXTEND…
Consequence
IF THE SEAT BELTS ARE INCONVENIENT TO USE, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE INCLINED TO WEAR THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STOPPER OVER EACH FRONT SEAT BELT D-RING GUIDE TO ASSIST THE SEAT BELT TO SMOOTHLY EXTEND AND RETRACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE"…
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS CAN APPLY EXCESSIVE VACUUM TO THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE CANISTER PURGE CYCLE. IF EXCESSIVE VACUUM IS APPLIED, MINOR FUEL TANK DISTORTION CAN RESULT. A SMALL CRACK COULD DEVELOP ON THE UPPER FUEL TANK SURFACE. THE "CHECK ENGINE"…
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL PRESSURE CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS CRACKED. IF THE FUEL TANK HAS CRACKED, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
VISIBILITY97V0260001997-02-2674,965 affected
Defect
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence
THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CONTAMINANTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
4crashes1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
3
1crashes1injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
Total complaints60
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 hyundai tiburon. The contact stated that after having the vehicle serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 00v095001 (fuel system, gasoline), there was a persistent strong smell of fuel. The contact removed the back seat to inspect the access port for the fuel tank and…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 hyundai tiburon. While driving approximately 50 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they found a leak in the fuel tank as determined by a pressure check. Hyundai was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall.…”
“Smelled gas fumes strongly upon fill-up for several days, check engine light. Took car in. Mechanic said recall #00v095002 was in effect on my vehicle. Took it to dealership to have them replace defective parts (tank & cap). Dealership only replaced cap but did not tell me at the time. Went to…”
“Check engine light came on while driving and car began to heat up, the driver side airbag came on as well;took it in for maintenance and the alternator was replaced however the airbag problem was not corrected and remains on. *jb”
“Check engine light came on while driving and car began to heat up, the driver side airbag came on as well;took it in for maintenance and the alternator was replaced however the airbag problem was not corrected and remains on. *jb”
“Connsumer stated electrical system failed. *ak”
“Consumer stated driver's front seat belts did not hold the passenger in the seat. Dealer indicated there was no recall on front seat belt. *ak”
“While driving the hood latch failed and the hood flew up onto the windshield, destroyed the hood and latches, damaged the roof, and injured driver. *nlm”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Hyundai Tiburon as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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