VehicleVerdict

2005 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 Hyundai Accent sits mid-pack among Accent years: 76 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 89, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (15), transmission (13), and brakes (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

76

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted218 complaints1991: 2 complaints1993: 1 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 142 complaints1997: 82 complaints1998: 72 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 148 complaints2002: 163 complaints2003: 45 complaints2004: 40 complaints2005: 76 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 135 complaints2009: 128 complaints2010: 119 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 218 complaints2013: 206 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 160 complaints2017: 97 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 17 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 32 complaints
Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting1520%
Transmission1317%
Brakes1114%
Electrical System811%
Airbags811%
Tires & Wheels45%
Latches & Locks34%
Engine34%
Speed Control23%
Suspension23%
Steering23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Fuel System11%
Other11%
Seat Belts11%
Seats11%

Does the 2005 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V280000LightingJuly 21, 2009 · 3,011 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,011 MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELANTRA, TUCSON, SONATA, AZERA AND ACCENT VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-787-999-4310.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TAKATA RECALL.. FOR SOME REASON MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES EVERYTIME THAT HAPPENS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON ME IVE HAD TO CHANGE MY DISK AND CALIBER ON MY CAR IN ONLY A WEEK 3 TIMES BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON ITS BEEN SCRATCHING MY BRAKES AND ROTORS AND IT MESSED UP A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 13, 2019 · crash

“FAILURE OF AIR BAGS AND SEAT BACK IN REAR END COLLISION CAUSING INJURY. NO START DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN OF BATTERY CABLE CLAMPS. SHIFT TO LOW GEAR AT HIGH SPEEDS DUE TO FAULTY SHIFTING SWITCH. USING DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT PARTS ON WARRANTY REPAIRS.. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 15, 2005 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN PERFECT WEATHER THE CAR SUDDENLY FISHTAILED AND THEN FLIPPED THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER WAS THANKFULLY UNINJURED BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. IN INSPECTING THE CAR THE REAR WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE SO IT WAS RULED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED UP. THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 18, 2013 · crash

“ DT: CONTACT STATED 2005 HYUNDAI ACCENT WAS IN THE NREPAIR SHOP FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SHE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO A WALL TO GET IT TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 27, 2005 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 30, 2010 · crash

2005 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 2005 Hyundai Accent reliable?

It is close to typical for the Accent: 76 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (15 complaints), transmission (13 complaints), brakes (11 complaints).

Does the 2005 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Accent years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accent years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 1995, 2002, 2016, 2001, 1996, 2008, 2015, 2014. The cleanest record among Accent years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.