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1999 Hyundai Tiburon

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Tiburon.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Hyundai Tiburon specifies a 4.2-quart engine oil capacity across 20W-40, 20W-50, and 10W-30 API viscosities, and paired with its automatic 4-speed transmission it carries EPA fuel-economy ratings of 20/27/22 mpg. Reliability records for the 1997-2008 model run show this model year generated only 33 owner complaints, with the Electrical System representing the top complaint area and three recalls on file—figures that pale next to the 328 complaints logged for 2003. While that total exceeds the range’s low of eight complaints recorded in 2002, it nonetheless places the 1999 Tiburon among the lower-complaint years in the model’s reliability history, indicating comparatively modest owner-reported issues.

Model year200820072006200520042003200120001999

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-60R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5-J, 5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length170.9 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height51.2 in
Wheelbase97.6 in
Curb weight2549 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tiburon of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.6–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2000 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998FX Coupe 2.0L I-48.40 sec16.50 sec140 hpFWD
2000Coupe 2.0L I-47.60 sec15.90 sec140 hpFWD
2000Coupe 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.30 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings37-39 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts88-95 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9-11 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-192 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub158 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.55 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,300-13,900 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50-1.61 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.08 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief12-16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature191 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)37.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)43.3 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression171-192 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure24.2 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16-23 ft-lbs / 65-80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket49-63 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1125-133 ft. lbs., step 2: 170-180125–133 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M10 bolts

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
360 degrees; M12 bolts60 degrees
126 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
360 degrees60 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
135 ft. lbs. 60-6535 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 52,500 miFuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 105,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1999 Hyundai Tiburon records 33 complaints and 3 recalls, placing it in a moderate position relative to the 47 complaints and 4 recalls seen in 1997 and the 30 complaints with 1 recall in 1998. While federal investigations dropped to zero for this model year, the recall count of 3 exceeds the single recall documented for 2000 and 2001, though it remains lower than the 4 recalls seen in 2002. The federal record shows a drastic surge in 2003 with 328 complaints and 9 recalls, making the 1999 figures appear stable by comparison within the broader generation timeline. Specific consumer reports for 1999 highlight the Electrical System with 7 complaints, followed by Seat Belts and Air Bags, though the data specifies zero fire complaints. Given the absence of open investigations and complaint volumes significantly lower than the generation's 2003 peak, the 1999 model year is a viable option for buyers seeking to avoid the later surge in reported issues.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
45
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
33
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 33 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System7
Seat Belts5
Air Bags3
Power Train2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Equipment2
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

01V345000Seat Belts:Front:WebbingReported 06/11/2001

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… 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…

99V178000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 07/07/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 45 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
22-EM-010H2022-07-28Engine And Engine CoolingFollow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain…
21-AT-006H2021-05-21Power TrainHyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the…
21-EM-003H2021-03-10Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain…
20-BD-014H2020-07-14Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture…
20-SS-002H(1)2020-05-06TiresThis bulletin provides information on tire maintenance best practices and procedures for…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tiburon. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 124R batteryVehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 Tiburon take?

4.2 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SM, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SM, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Tiburon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tiburon get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.