2005 Hyundai Tiburon recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THREADED PORTIONS OF THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLY'S LEFT AND RIGHT INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN INTERNAL CRACKS IN THE MATERIAL STRUCTURE.
What could happen: IF THE INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WAS TO BREAK AS A RESULT OF THE INTERNAL CRACK, THE TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT LONGER BE ATTACHED TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THIS WOULD PREVENT STEERING CONTROL OF THAT FRONT WHEEL BY THE SEPARATED TIE ROD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE BEGINNING ON APRIL 8, 2005, AND INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES. HYUNDAI WILL ARRANGE TO PICK UP AND RETURN THEIR VEHICLES AFTER REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 TIBURON.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V187000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-633-5151.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THREADED PORTIONS OF THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLY'S LEFT AND RIGHT INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN INTERNAL CRACKS IN THE MATERIAL STRUCTURE.
Consequence: IF THE INNER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WAS TO BREAK AS A RESULT OF THE INTERNAL CRACK, THE TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT LONGER BE ATTACHED TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THIS WOULD PREVENT STEERING CONTROL OF THAT FRONT WHEEL BY THE SEPARATED TIE ROD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEARBOX ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE BEGINNING ON APRIL 8, 2005, AND INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES. HYUNDAI WILL ARRANGE TO PICK UP AND RETURN THEIR VEHICLES AFTER REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Notes: HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 069. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2005 Hyundai Tiburon owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (18), Airbags (7), Wheels / tires (5), Suspension (5), Steering (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/18/2020 · Engine
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED IN 3 PLACES
09/26/2019 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL PROFUSELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE. AN UNKNOWN RED INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAKER'S FAMILY HYUNDAI (203-754-9494, LOCATED AT 674 STRAITS TURNPIKE, WATERTOWN, CT 06795) WHERE A SMOKE TEST WAS PERFORMED. T…
03/30/2017 · Airbags · crash
TAKATA RECALL, COULDN'T SEE FOR A WEEK. WAS CUT UP ON LEFT SIDE AS WAS VISION GONE ON LEFT. SUFFERED AND STILL SUFFERING BRAIN DAMAGE FROM AIRBAG HITTING ME SO HARD. THAT CAR HAS RUINED MY LIFE. I CONSTANTLY SHAKE FROM NECK UP ON LEFT SIDE. I WISH I WOULD IF DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. THAT'S HOW MUCH IT HAS AFFECTED ME. I STAY IN THE HOUSE BY MYSELF ALL DAY, EVE…
02/23/2017 · Suspension
FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM RUSTED UNTIL IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS! 2003 HYUNDAI TUBURONS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS BUT 2005 DOES NOT. IT SHOULD BECAUSE HYUNDAI OBVIOUSLY DID NOT FIX THAT UNDERLYING ISSUE.
08/30/2015 · Transmission / drivetrain
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY CLUTCH, DUAL FLY WHEEL ENTIRE CLUTCH SYSTEM 3 TIMES NOW IN THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS. EACH TIME COSTING ME ANYWHERE FROM $2400,- $3,400. NO WAY SHOULD A CLUTCH NEED REPLACED THAT MUCH THAT SOON, EACH CLUTCH LASTED APPROX 13 MONTHS. HYUNDAI WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM YET THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING SAME ISSUES. SOMETHING NEED…
04/27/2015 · Transmission / drivetrain
AROUND 70,000 MILES ON MY 2005 HYUNDAI TIBURON, MY MECHANIC FRIEND NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM I WAS NEEDING A NEW CLUTCH. WE PURCHASED A CLUTCH KIT FROM DURALAST/ZOOM MANUFACTURED THESE PARTS. THE CLUTCH CHANGE IN A HYUNDAI TIBURON IS PRETTY EXPENSIVE AND $1025 WAS THE CHEAPEST I WAS QUOTED. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING FINE FOR THREE DAYS AND THEN ALL OF A S…
03/03/2014 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT…
11/11/2013 · Wheels / tires
BOUGHT TWO NEW FRONT TIRES FOR TIBURON. NEXEN N5000 215/45R17 ON 10/15/2013. WITHIN THREE WEEKS THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE DEVELOPED A FLAT ON 11/7/13 IE WITHIN THREE WEEKS. NEVER HAPPENED WITH ANY TIRES. WHY THIS ONE? *TR