Model year guide

2002 Hyundai Tiburon

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Hyundai Tiburon is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.

2002 Hyundai Tiburon — representative photo
Representative photo

2002 Hyundai Tiburon at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints8
Combined19–23 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Hyundai Tiburon recalls 4

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage NHTSA Campaign #04V369000 · manufacturer #066 · 26/07/2004

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #04V178000 · manufacturer #066 · 09/04/2004

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #03V496000 · manufacturer #061 · 03/12/2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #03V257000 · manufacturer #061 · 22/07/2003

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 WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT …

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICA…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Hyundai Tiburon common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2002 Hyundai Tiburon MPG & running costs

Combined19–23 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,175
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume81 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Hyundai Tiburon costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,875
Fuel only$15,875
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
170.9 in
Width
68.1 in
Height
51.2 in
Wheelbase
97.6 in
Curb weight
2,549 lb
Front track
57.9 in
Rear track
57.1 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 34

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 34.

Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. All internal combustion engines consum…

Bulletin 26-EM-016H TSB · Engine · Oct 2026

Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. All internal combustion engines consume engi…

Bulletin 26-EM-015H TSB · Engine · Oct 2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not suppl…

Bulletin DTN DL · Air Bags · Apr 2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been iden…

Bulletin DTN DCS · Air Bags · Apr 2026

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lam…

Bulletin 25-BD-012H TSB · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2025

This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated…

Bulletin 24-BD-001H · Visibility, Visibility/wiper · Feb 2024

This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.

Bulletin 23-EM-005H · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2023

Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the…

Bulletin 23-BD-007H · Structure · Apr 2023

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lam…

Bulletin 23-BD-002H · Visibility · Jan 2023

Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.

Bulletin 22-EM-010H · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2022

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TIBURON. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

On certain vehicles, the fuel tank assembly valve may not close properly. If a vehicle with a fuel tank assembly valve that is not properly closed were to roll over, fuel spillage could occur. Fuel spillage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Correction: Dealer will install an additional fuel tank assembly valve.

Transport Canada #2004130 · Apr 2004

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Hyundai Tiburon

The Hyundai Tiburon, known in Europe as the Hyundai Coupé, is a front wheel drive sports coupe that was produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai from 1996 to 2008.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2002 Hyundai Tiburon vehicles on record

Other Hyundai Tiburon model years

2002 Hyundai Tiburon — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon?

Across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, power train, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Hyundai Tiburon get?

The 2002 Hyundai Tiburon has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.