Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 21% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 15% |
| Air bags | 3 | 9% |
| Power train | 2 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 6% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1999 HYUNDAI TIBURON CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS FAULTY IN A LOT OF THESE CARS I KEEP HEARING ABOUT HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TIBURON. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 99V178000 FOR A HYUNDAI TIBURON 1999. THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE CONSEQUENCES DETAILED IN THE CAMPAIGN. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE CAMPAIGN DOES
NHTSA complaint: Power train
VEHICLE LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION SPORADICALLY. WHEN CAR STOPPED AND IDLE, ENGINE RPM INCREASES DRAMATICALLY TRYING TO OVERRIDE BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY DAUGHTER HAS A 1999 HYUNDAI TIBURON AND IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRANSMISSION, I SEEN WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HER CAR JUST DOWN SHIFTED AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS IT WOULD NOT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA # 01V345000 RECALL CONCERNING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING, WAS RECEIVED IN 2001. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, THE WEBBING DOES
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED, AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LATCH. *AK THE FEMALE RECEPTACLE BUCKLE NO LONGER WORKED. *TC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE THAT TURNED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY ONE DEALER THAT HE NEEDED TO HAVE ENGINE CLEANED OUT AND
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Hyundai Tiburon. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS MAY NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY THROUGH THE D-RING GUIDES MOUNTED ON THE BODY PILLARS AFT OF THE DOORS. IF THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT EXTEND AND RETRACT SMOOTHLY, THEY MAY TWIST IN THE D-RING GUIDES AND MAKE IT INCO
Risk: IF THE SEAT BELTS ARE INCONVENIENT TO USE, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE INCLINED TO WEAR THE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STOPPER OVER EACH FRONT SEAT BELT D-RING GUIDE TO ASSIST THE SEAT BELT TO SMOOTHLY EXTEND AND RETRACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE APPLICATION TO THE CLUTCHES, B
Risk: SUCH SLIPPAGE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FRICTION ELEMENT SURFACES AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE, OR NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED, WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR P
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," WAS MISPRINTED. IT INCORRECTLY CONTAINS THE TIRE SIZES, SEATING CAPACITY, AND LUGGAGE CAPACITY.
Risk: EXCESSIVE LOADING CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 7 of them (21%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.