Summary
The Hyundai Tiburon has 12 recalls spanning the 1997-2005 production run, with the most serious being a steering defect on 2005 models where inner tie rod assemblies can crack and break, separating from the steering rack and causing a complete loss of steering control.
The 2003 model year carries several overlapping occupant safety issues. The driver seat belt buckle wiring can be worn through by the seat cushion height adjuster mechanism, which can disable the airbag warning lamp and cause the airbag to fail to deploy in a crash. Separately, the instrument panel pad above the passenger airbag is thicker than specified at the tear lines, which can prevent the panel surface from folding away during deployment and interfere with how the airbag opens toward the passenger. There is also a recall for a left lower instrument panel bracket that may not have been installed at the factory, which can increase the risk of injury in a frontal crash.
On the powertrain side, 1999 models with the automatic transmission have pressure control solenoid valve seals that can lose elasticity and leak transmission fluid internally, causing the friction elements to slip. That same model year has a misprinted tire pressure placard with incorrect tire sizes and load capacity figures, which can lead to overloading and tire damage. The 2000 model year has a daytime running light system that fails to turn off when the headlights are switched on, a compliance issue with Canadian lighting standards.
Going back to the original 1997 model year, the front seatbelt webbing can bind in the D-ring guides on the body pillars, making the belts stiff and awkward to use, which raises the risk that occupants may not wear them correctly.
