The 1998 Hyundai Tiburon has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 42,782 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the unknown or other. 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…
Complaints by component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2
2crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
Total complaints46
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I went to the car lot and picked up my tiburon. I drove it home...and to work. After I had driven the car for 3 days, I walked toward the car and the wireless remote on the keys wouldnt beep so when I put the key in the door to unlock it the alarm sounded and the ignition would not start. I…”
“Vehicle does not shift out of second gear, resulting in stalling. Consumer is concerned that the vehicle will stall in traffic which may cause a rear end collision. *ak”
“The vehicle's exhaust manifold cracked. The consumer could smell exhaust fumes when the hood was opened. *ak *nlm”
“1998 hyundai tiburon, automatic transaxles: car purchased new in 1998. Experienced engine stumble referenced in tsb 98-36-008, but no one could ever find anything wrong. Should have been a recall. Currently having problems with electrical system and transmission- car downshifts and gets stuck in…”
“1998 hyundai tiburon, automatic transaxles: car purchased new in 1998. Experienced engine stumble referenced in tsb 98-36-008, but no one could ever find anything wrong. Should have been a recall. Currently having problems with electrical system and transmission- car downshifts and gets stuck in…”
“1998 hyundai tiburon, automatic transaxles: car purchased new in 1998. Experienced engine stumble referenced in tsb 98-36-008, but no one could ever find anything wrong. Should have been a recall. Currently having problems with electrical system and transmission- car downshifts and gets stuck in…”
“Consumer stated that in her daughter's vehicle engine check light kept coming on, and when it did, while driving vehicle lost power. After loss of power, it took a long time to regain power. Then, vehicle ran sluggish for a while. Had taken vehicle to the dealer and had it repaired twice, but the…”
“My 16 year old daughter rear ended a vehicle and the airbag deployed breaking her elbow in 6 places and her humerus detached from the elbow. The accident happened on february 13, 2003 and she has limited use of her right arm as of today. She has had two surgeries and goes to occupational rehab…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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