The 2005 Hyundai Tiburon has 43 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 18 complaints, typically surfacing around 38,521 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Tiburon?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Hyundai Tiburon? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 38,521 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
airbags — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 38,782 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
steering — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 99,700 mi · ~$700 to fix
suspension — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,500 mi · ~$900 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 38,521 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 Tiburon· brakesCrash
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Hyundai tiburon. While driving in reverse with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle would not stop. The contact crashed into a wall. He took the vehicle to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure or repair the vehicle. The contact…
I have a 2005 Hyundai tiburon with less that 20000 miles on it, I took the car to the dealer ( rick case Hyundai) on weston, florida because the gears when I shift are not working properly, I left the car in the dealer and I receive a call from rick case stating that I have to…
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Hyundai tiburon. Upon purchasing the vehicle, the clutch would stick intermittently. The manufacturer explained that the failure occurred because the vehicle was new. On october 24, 2007, the clutch locked up while driving 15 MPH. The contact was…
My brand new Hyundai tiburon's clutch failed. I felt it slipping for a few days, I did not know it was slipping because I have never felt a clutch slp until this new car, and it went out. I pulled over and got it towed. I was told that the clutch was "wasted" and it would…
Had a problem with your 2005 Hyundai Tiburon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon?
The 2005 Hyundai Tiburon is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Hyundai Tiburon?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 18 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 38,521 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 43 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 38,521 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 18 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 38,521 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 99,700 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Tiburon has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Hyundai Tiburon?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 43 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Hyundai/Tiburon.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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