Selling an old or broken Hyundai Tiburon

The newest Tiburon is now a 2008. If yours needs more work than it's worth, we buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

First generation (RD and RD2): 1997-2001

Production began in late 1996 for the 1997 model year, says Wikipedia. Wikipedia lists the Avante/Elantra as its sibling. Under every Tiburon hood sat a Beta four-cylinder (1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 liters), paired with a manual of 5 speeds or an automatic of 4. The 1999 RD2 update brought new bumpers and a refreshed dash.

These five years hold 182 complaints, spread thin. The recalls tell more:

• 01V345, 1997-2001: front seat belts may not extend and retract smoothly through the D-ring guides. Dealers add a stopper over each guide. This campaign touches every first-generation year.
• 00V095001 and 00V095002, 1997: the evaporative emissions system can pull too much vacuum on the fuel tank. Dealers pressure-check the tank and replace it if cracked.
• 97V026, 1997: wiper motor circuit breaker contacts were contaminated during assembly.
• 99V178, 1999 automatics: pressure control solenoid valve seals harden and leak transmission fluid. Dealers replace the valve.

On the 2000, seat belts are the most-named component (15 of 58).

Second generation (GK): 2003-2008

Wikipedia says the GK arrived in 2002 as a 2003 model and ran until the Veloster replaced it. Engines were a 2.0 Beta II four and a 2.7 Delta V6, plus a 1.6 Alpha II. Gearboxes were 5- and 6-speed manuals or a 4-speed Mitsubishi INVECS II automatic. A facelift came for 2005, and a bigger one in November 2006 for 2007.

This generation holds 578 complaints. For each year from 2003 through 2007, owners cite the power train most. The air bags come second on most of them, and on the 2008 they lead.

The 2003 and its nine recalls

The 2003 also carries 33 crash reports, 21 injury reports and one death report. Its recall list:

• 03V257 and 03V496 (2002-2003): rear brake tubes can rub against steering gearbox brackets. Dealers reposition and clip them and add anti-corrosion coating. 03V257 covers 312,292 vehicles across several models.
• 04V178 and 04V369 (2002-2003): a fuel tank valve may not close, so fuel could spill in a rollover. 04V178 covers 263,968 vehicles across several models.
• 09V125: front lower control arm corrosion on cars from salt-belt states (see the FAQ).
• 02V290: driver seat belt buckle wiring can be damaged by the seat height adjuster.
• 02V044: a missing left lower instrument panel bracket (1,174 vehicles in the campaign, which may include other models).
• 03V290 and 03V321: NHTSA's text for these two small campaigns (36 and 49 vehicles) describes "sport utility vehicles," so they likely cover another Hyundai model more than the Tiburon.

Later GK recalls: 05V187 for steering gearbox inner ball joints with internal cracks on 2005 cars (277 vehicles in the campaign, which may include other models), and 13V113, a stop lamp switch replacement on 2006-2008 cars, part of a 1,712,336-vehicle campaign across many Hyundai models.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Tiburon owner reports in NHTSA's records, tallied October 10, 2026. They are what owners told NHTSA, not confirmed defects or a reliability score. A 1997 has had a decade more on the road than a 2008 to draw reports. Some campaigns cover several years.

Is it worth fixing?

1. Check the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup. Old campaigns can still show as open.
2. Gearbox problems? Owners point to the power train more than anything else on all years from 2003 through 2007. Bad transmission explains how to weigh a rebuild.
3. Rust underneath? On a salt-belt car, look at the control arms and subframe. Rotted frame covers when it stops being worth it.
4. Weigh the quote against what a running Tiburon of the same year and engine sells for.

Selling it whole

1. Note the year, engine and gearbox: 2.0 or V6, manual or automatic.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where it's parked: driveway, backyard, garage. If the Tiburon has flat tires or a locked wheel, tell us so the right truck shows up.
4. Leave it in one piece, wheels and catalytic converter included. Describe any aftermarket or missing parts.
5. When the Tiburon is picked up, sign the title and show ID. Lost the title? Start with selling with no title.

Also on this site: the Scoupe that came before it, the Elantra, and every Hyundai we cover.