2005 Hyundai Tiburon Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Hyundai Tiburon has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 3rd out of 4 model years, earning a Good verdict. It logged 43 complaints, 1 recall, and 6 injuries, with Transmission & Powertrain issues making up 42% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #3 of 4 Tiburon years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 43
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 1
Top 2005 Hyundai Tiburon problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (42%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (21%)
- Airbags7 (16%)
- Brakes4 (9%)
- Other4 (9%)
- Steering4 (9%)
- Engine3 (7%)
- Electrical System2 (5%)
- Seat Belts2 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Side curtain and front airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including one high-speed side impact with fatal injury.
- Clutch slippage and failure to fully engage gears 1-3 reported early in ownership, in one case contributing to multiple near-collisions.
- Vehicle would not stop when brake pedal was depressed while in reverse, resulting in a crash into a wall.
- Front tie rod assembly reportedly cracked and disengaged while driving, causing loss of steering control and a crash.
- Blower switch and wiring in the HVAC system melted after intermittent air conditioner indicator light issues, requiring repeated dealer visits.
- Rear turn signal bulbs appeared unusually bright, raising concern they were non-standard replacement parts.
2005 Hyundai Tiburon recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 05V187000Apr 28, 2005Steering277 vehicles
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
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.
Risk: 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.
2005 Hyundai Tiburon fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Tiburon years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
- Compared to other Tiburon years, the 2005 model performs well, with a complaint index of 33 and a Good verdict, ranking 3rd worst out of 4 years tracked.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top concern, accounting for 42% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 24,148 miles.
- Does the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (05V187000) was issued for cracked steering gearbox inner ball joint assemblies, which could cause loss of steering control.
- How does the 2005 Tiburon compare to the 2007 model?
- The 2007 Tiburon has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, far worse than the 2005 model's index of 33 and Good verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon?
- The EPA rates the 2005 Tiburon at 20 mpg combined (17 city / 24 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,250.