2005 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 Hyundai Elantra sits mid-pack among Elantra years: 180 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 212, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 41 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 41% of all reports (74 of 180), far ahead of speed control at 14.

180

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	74	41%	▼ down
Speed Control	14	8%	▲ up
Brakes	11	6%	— flat
Electrical System	10	6%	▲ up
Engine	10	6%	▼ down
Transmission	7	4%	— flat
Body & Structure	7	4%	▲ up
Other	7	4%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	6	3%	▲ up
Lighting	6	3%	▲ up
Seat Belts	6	3%	▼ down
Steering	6	3%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	4	2%	— flat
Fuel System	4	2%	— flat
Seats	3	2%	— flat
Suspension	3	2%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	2	1%	▲ up

Does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

05V479000AirbagsOctober 17, 2005 · 2,105 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.

Consequence

THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

05V395000AirbagsSeptember 12, 2005 · 231,160 units

Defect

Consequence

THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

05V187000SteeringApril 28, 2005 · 277 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR GOING APPROX. 30 MPH. THE DRIVER HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM AT FULL SPEED, WITHOUT BRAKING. THE DRIVER DID NOT KNOW THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM ABRUPTLY STOPPED, CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER WAS THRUSTED FORWARD ON IMPACT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 1, 2013 · crash

“OWNER OF A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA REPORTING VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *BF THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST COLLISION ENDED WITHOUT VISIBLE DAMAGE. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY IT COLLIDED INTO A FIRE TRUCK DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 4, 2005 · crash

“TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA . ON APRIL 24, 2009 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE BRAKED UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED HER BRAKE THEY FAILED TO WORK AND SHE CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. SHE EXPERIENCED MINOR INJURIES, BUT HER CHILDREN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 24, 2009 · crash

“ON DECEMBER 10, 2011, I WAS TURNING FROM NORTHBOUND GARY AV. ONTO EASTBOUND LAWRENCE AVE. AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. WHILE I WAS TURNING MY ACCELERATOR STUCK THE ENGINE SPED OUT OF CONTROL TO AT LEAST 40 MPH. I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A TRUCK TURNING ONTO GARY AND MY CAR WENT OVER THE SOUTH CURB..…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 10, 2011 · crash

“THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 7 HOURS. THE LEFT TAILLIGHT AND BUMPER AREA AS WELL AS THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE IS FIRE DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD WIPER, WHEEL WELL, FRONT LEFT TIRE, LEFT TAILLIGHT, BUMPER, TRUNK LID AND SPOILER. THE STRIP THAT RUNS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 29, 2009 · fire

2005 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2005 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra: 180 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (74 complaints), speed control (14 complaints), brakes (11 complaints).

Does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2005 compare to other Elantra years?

What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2005 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2005 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

What are the most common 2005 Elantra problems?

Does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

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