VehicleVerdict

2005 Hyundai Tucson problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Hyundai Tucson sits mid-pack among Tucson years: 273 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 233, with 8 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (46), engine (39), and airbags (31), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

273

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Tucson years?

See all Tucson years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Tucson problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4617%
Engine3914%
Airbags3111%
Body & Structure207%
Transmission166%
Suspension155%
Brakes155%
Lighting145%
Speed Control145%
Other135%
Fuel System135%
Tires & Wheels104%
Visibility & Wipers93%
Steering83%
Latches & Locks62%
Seat Belts31%
Seats10%

Does the 2005 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?

8 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.

09V122000LightingApril 15, 2009 · 532,633 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED 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, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

07V197000AirbagsMay 8, 2007 · 2,967 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, STATIC AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TESTING CONDUCTED BY NHTSA USING FIFTH PERCENTILE FEMALE DUMMIES INDICATED THAT A SMALL STATURE ADULT DRIVER NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL OR NEAR FRONTAL CRASH, THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT OCCUR.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE WITH ONE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN OF COMPLIANCE FOR LOW RISK DEPLOYMENT FOR SMALL STATURE ADULTS WHO ARE NOT PROPERLY WEARING THE SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2007, AND WILL BE PERFORMED IN TWO MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

06V445000AirbagsNovember 22, 2006 · 128,300 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING STATIC AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TESTING CONDUCTED BY NHTSA USING FIFTH PERCENTILE FEMALE DUMMIES INDICATED IF A SMALL STATURED ADULT DRIVER, NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL OR NEAR FRONTAL CRASH, DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY RESULT IN AN INSUFFICIENT MARGIN OF COMPLIANCE AS MEASURED BY THE TEST DUMMY USED IN THE NHTSA TEST.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED THROUGH SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

05V342000BrakesJuly 27, 2005 · 330 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PARKING LEVER RATCHET PAWL WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND MAY DAMAGE THE TEETH OF THE PARKING LEVER RATCHET. DAMAGED PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET TEETH MAY PREVENT THE PARKING BRAKE FROM ENGAGING OR MAY ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN ENGAGED.

Consequence

THE INABILITY TO ENGAGE OR THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER, MAY ALLOW YOUR VEHICLE TO ROLL WHILE IT IS PARKED AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

05V315000BrakesJuly 7, 2005 · 6,146 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET PAWL WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND MY DAMAGE THE TEETH OF THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET. DAMAGED PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET TEETH MAY PREVENT THE PARKING BRAKE FROM ENGAGING OR MAY ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN ENGAGED.

Consequence

THE INABILITY TO ENGAGE, OR THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER MAY ALLOW YOUR VEHICLE TO ROLL WHILE IT IS PARKED AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

05V177000Electrical SystemApril 27, 2005 · 349 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), THE YAW RATE SENSOR MAY BECOME TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECALIBRATE INACCURATELY. WHILE DRIVING THE ESP PROGRAM MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REDUCE POWER AND MAY CAUSE A BRAKE AT ONE OF THE WHEELS TO BE INAPPROPRIATELY.

Consequence

BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BY INADVERTENT ESP ACTIVATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ESP HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

05V119000Electrical SystemMarch 25, 2005 · 30,558 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), THE YAW RATE SENSOR MAY BECOME TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECALIBRATE INACCURATELY. WHILE DRIVING THE ESP PROGRAM MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REDUCE POWER AND MAY CAUSE A BRAKE AT ONE OF THE WHEELS TO BE INAPPROPRIATELY.

Consequence

BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BY INADVERTENT ESP ACTIVATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ESP HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. 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.

"TAKATA RECALL" ON APRIL 8TH APPROXIMATELY 6 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING I WAS AWAKEN OUT OF MY SLEEP TO MY CAR ON FIRE IN MY YARD. I CALLED THE FIREFIGHTER DEPARTMENT THEY CAME OUT AND SAID IT WAS FROM BAD ELECTRICAL WIRES. MY CAR WAS IN MY FRONT YARD...I LAST DROVE IT THAT NIGHT TO PIZZA HUT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 8, 2017 · fire

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JUST STALLS, LOOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. RESULTING IN MY DAUGHTER REARENDING ANOTHER CAR AND THAT CAR HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT AND THAT DRIVER SUING MY INSURANCE. AFTER BEING IN THE BODY SHOP FOR A MONTH, I PICKED THE CAR UP FRIDAY APRIL 25 THE CAR STALLED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 14, 2008 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE, NEAR THE DOOR AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 26, 2012 · crash

"TAKATA RECALL" ON APRIL 8TH APPROXIMATELY 6 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING I WAS AWAKEN OUT OF MY SLEEP TO MY CAR ON FIRE IN MY YARD. I CALLED THE FIREFIGHTER DEPARTMENT THEY CAME OUT AND SAID IT WAS FROM BAD ELECTRICAL WIRES. MY CAR WAS IN MY FRONT YARD...I LAST DROVE IT THAT NIGHT TO PIZZA HUT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 8, 2017 · fire

NEW HYUNDAI TUCSON 5 SPEED MANUAL 4 WHEEL DRIVE(2005) WITH LESS THAN 400 MILES DRIVEN, THE SHIFT LIVE BROKE OFF INSIDE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS LIFE THREATINING. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE EAST BOUND ON THE CROSS BRONX EXP. CAR COULD NOT MOVE. I WAS ABOUT ONE MILE EAST OF THE G.W. BRIDGE. THE PROBLEM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 27, 2005

2005 Hyundai Tucson — common questions

Is the 2005 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tucson: 273 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2005 Tucson problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (46 complaints), engine (39 complaints), airbags (31 complaints).

Does the 2005 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Hyundai Tucson. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Hyundai Tucson under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Tucson years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tucson years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2022, 2018, 2019, 2025, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2014, 2020, 2011, 2021, 2010. The cleanest record among Tucson years belongs to 2009.

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.