The 2003 Hyundai Tiburon has 6 recalls, all rated at the same severity level, with the most serious concerns involving the front passenger airbag and the driver's seatbelt buckle wiring.
Two recalls address the same airbag deployment problem: the instrument panel padding above the passenger airbag is thicker than specified at the tear lines, which can prevent the panel from folding open properly when the airbag fires, meaning the airbag may not deploy correctly in a crash. Two other recalls cover the same seatbelt buckle issue: wiring near the driver's seatbelt buckle can be worn or cut by the seat height adjuster mechanism underneath the cushion, which may cause the seatbelt and airbag warning lights to illuminate and, in a crash, can result in the driver's airbag failing to deploy when it should. There is also a structural concern: a bracket on the lower left side of the instrument panel may not have been installed, which can increase the risk of injury in a frontal crash. The sixth recall involves a missing instrument panel bracket that overlaps with the structural concern above.
At a glance
What can fail
The padding on the instrument panel is thicker than specified at its tear lines, preventing the panel from folding properly when the passenger airbag deploys.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the instrument panel with one that has correct padding thickness.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag sits under the instrument panel. Tear lines cut into the panel's underside may cause the panel to fold upward when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
The instrument panel will be replaced with one that deploys the air bag safely without folding.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver seat belt buckle wiring can be damaged by the seat cushion height adjuster mechanism. This damaged wiring may turn on warning lamps or prevent the air bag from deploying.
What the fix does
The dealer will install a new driver seat belt buckle if needed and add a protective cover over the wiring to prevent damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver seat belt buckle wiring can get damaged when the seat cushion height adjuster moves. This damage may cause warning lights to come on and can prevent airbags from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will protect the wiring and replace the seat belt buckle if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver seat belt buckle wiring may get damaged when the seat cushion height adjuster mechanism moves.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new driver seat belt buckle if needed and add a protective cover over the wiring.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left lower instrument panel bracket may not have been installed during manufacturing.
What the fix does
The dealer will check if the bracket is present and install it if missing at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
