2005 Hyundai Elantra
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 137
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2005
None on file
54% of complaints
Complaints per year
2005: 137 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 29 |
| 1993 | 24 |
| 1994 | 78 |
| 1995 | 112 |
| 1996 | 100 |
| 1997 | 115 |
| 1998 | 55 |
| 1999 | 128 |
| 2000 | 197 |
| 2001 | 315 |
| 2002 | 342 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2004 | 182 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 266 |
| 2008 | 315 |
| 2009 | 253 |
| 2010 | 380 |
| 2011 | 433 |
| 2012 | 652 |
| 2013 | 1,312 |
| 2014 | 385 |
| 2015 | 262 |
| 2016 | 293 |
| 2017 | 769 |
| 2018 | 284 |
| 2019 | 251 |
| 2020 | 253 |
| 2021 | 132 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2023 | 100 |
| 2024 | 56 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
54% · 74 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Son was involved in crash. Rearended another car. Totalled both cars. Thankfully, no injuries his airbags in 2005 hyundia Elantra did not deploy. Contacted Hyundai and they said they are not responsible.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-16
Car involved in a low speed (20-25MPH) collision. Front left quarter panel engaged rear right of pickup bed. No hood damage occured, minor bumper damage but extensive damage to front left axle assemble when it was broke loose from mountings.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-31
Also filed under Seat belts
The air bag light came on and it is staying on
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-03
Also filed under Power train
Vehicle speed control
10% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated the gear lever was shifted into park and the vehicle accelerated into reverse unintendedly.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-14
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while sitting idle at a traffic stop, the engine rpms increased abnormally and the vehicle exhibited signs as if it were attempting to accelerate independently.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-16
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-01
Service brakes
8% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Electrical system
7% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing module.
Structure
5% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Show complaint excerpts
Complete lost of control no steering abilities
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-07
Also filed under Steering
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2005-04-08Steering05V187000 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…
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.…
-
R
2005-10-31Air bags05V395000 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)…
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…
-
R
2005-11-15Air bags05V479000 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)…
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…
-
R
2009-09-02Exterior lighting09V280000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2005 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 74 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 14 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 05V187000 · Steering
- Recall 05V395000 · Air bags
- Recall 05V479000 · Air bags
- Recall 09V280000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2005 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Hyundai Elantra is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Hyundai Elantra?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.