Wrench.Pro

2007 Hyundai Tiburon Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Hyundai Tiburon has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 3 recurring issue clusters, led by “Clutch and dual-mass flywheel failure.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Hyundai Tiburon.

Reported to NHTSA

Clutch and dual-mass flywheel failure

POWER TRAIN

19 NHTSA complaints · 2008-03 → 2020-07

“AT 11,985 MILES THE CLUTCH ON OUR 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON WENT OUT. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS BECAUSE OF THE DRIVER. IT WILL COST ~$1,200 TO REPLACE, BECAUSE CLUTCHES ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10222460
“AT 17,000 MILES THE CLUTCH TOTALLY WENT OUT ON MY HYUNDAI TIBURON, MIND YOU I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW EXACTLY 12 MONTHS AGO. ACCORDING TO REPORTS ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10226044
“MY 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON CLUTCH IS GOING OUT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. I READ MANY OF FORUMS STATING HYUNDAI IS NOT TAKING THE COST. ALL OF THESE FORUMS STATE THAT THE OWNERS CLUTCHES ARE GOING OUT PRE-MATURELY AND HYUNDAY STATES THAT ITS THE OWNERS DRIVING HABITS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10257599

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2008-04 → 2023-07

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT, ANOTHER VEHICLE SIDESWIPED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10821997
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10658999
“MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2007 HYUNDIA TIBURON, ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL IT'S STEARING CAPABILITY, HE HIT A SPEED LIMIT SIGN VERED OFF THE ROAD AND WENT ABOUT 50 FEET INTO THE WOODS, THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10984392

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and system malfunction

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2007-03 → 2011-04

“2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MECHANIC HAS JUST "RESET" THE WARNING LIGHT. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED TO ME THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10398064
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND WOULD NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE AIR BAG COMPUTER ON 2-08-08”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10218639
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI TIBURON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THE PASSENGER WEIGHS OVER 115 POUNDS. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10201942

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

28 crashes 1990–2024

How the 28 occupant deaths break down

21

driver deaths

7

passenger deaths

28

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Hyundai Tiburon reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →