The 2003 Hyundai Tiburon is a small car that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl engines. At 23 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd, Manual 6-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 16–20 city / 24–28 highway / 19–23 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900–$3,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 386–468 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 6 configurations |
| Age | 23 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls covering the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Hyundai is recalling 160,904 my 2001-2003 elantra and my 2003 Tiburon vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west…
Risk: The fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that may increase the risk of a crash.
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity" a valve on the fuel tank assembly may not close properly. If a vehicle rolls over and the fuel tank assembly valve is not properly closed, fuel spillage may occur.
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Some passenger vehicles contain a fuel tank assembly valve that may not close properly. If a vehicle with a fuel tank assembly valve that is not properly closed were to roll over, fuel spillage may occur.
Risk: Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
Risk: Contact between the rear brake tubes and the steering gearbox mounting brackets may result in rear brake tube wear and corrosion, increasing the risk of brake fluid leakage. Brake fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability, wh
On certain sport utility vehicles, the front passenger air bag is mounted beneath the right portion of the instrument panel's padded surface. Tear lines are formed into the underside of the instrument panel's padded surface during the production process of the instrument panel top pad. These tear lines allow a portion of the…
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the air bag may not deploy properly, possibly resulting in serious injury to the right front passenger.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the driver seat belt buckle wiring could be damaged by interference with the driver seat cushion height adjuster mechanism. Damaged driver seat belt buckle wiring could cause the seat belt warning lamp or the supplemental restraint system (SRS) air bag wiring lamp to illuminate. It could also cause…
Risk: Nondeployment of an SRS air bag in a crash where air bag deployment is warranted could increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear brake tubes pass behind the front suspension crossmember. Two steering gearbox mounting brackets are welded to the crossmember. On vehicles equipped with an antilock brake system (ABS), the rear brake tubes could contact both steering gearbox mounting brackets. On vehicles that are not equipped…
Risk: Fluid leakage could result in reduced braking capability increasing the risk of a crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, the driver seat belt buckle wiring could be damaged by interference with the driver seat cushion height adjuster mechanism.
Risk: Damaged driver seat belt buckle wiring could cause the seat belt warning lamp or the supplemental restraint system (SRS) air bag wiring lamp to illuminate. It could also cause the air bag fuse (cavity number 5) to open, preventing air bag d
On certain passenger vehicles, the left lower instrument panel bracket was not installed.
Risk: If this bracket has not been installed, there may be an increased likelihood of injury or increased severity of injury in a frontal crash.
Owners have filed 328 complaints about the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon with NHTSA. 33 reports involved a crash and 7 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 21 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 112 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning pr
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair proce
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver's-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin P
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
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It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2003 Tiburons that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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