1998 Hyundai Tiburon
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 7 of 26 complaints (27%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 36 in 1997 to 26 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–20 / 26–29 | 20 / 27–28 | 20 / 27–28 | 19–21 / 28–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–423 | 386–404 | 386–404 | 370–404 | |
| Complaints filed | 36 | 26 | 26 | 58 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 3 | 5 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 1 | 4 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon?
Airbags & Restraints: 7 of 26 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Hyundai Tiburon get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Hyundai Tiburon?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING · Campaign 01V345000 · Nov 15, 2001
Defect: 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 INCONVENIENT TO EXTEND AND RETRACT THE SEAT BELTS.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.