2005 Hyundai Tucson
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 185 |
| 2006 | 135 |
| 2007 | 65 |
| 2008 | 43 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 58 |
| 2011 | 124 |
| 2012 | 255 |
| 2013 | 266 |
| 2014 | 201 |
| 2015 | 226 |
| 2016 | 1617 |
| 2017 | 1084 |
| 2018 | 394 |
| 2019 | 377 |
| 2020 | 175 |
| 2021 | 78 |
| 2022 | 379 |
| 2023 | 132 |
| 2024 | 94 |
| 2025 | 278 |
| 2026 | 59 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
17% of complaints: electrical system — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and switch.
FIRE17% of complaints: air bags — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sensor/control module and side/window.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190916
MY DAUGHTER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELTS DID NOT LOCK. SHE HIT HER HEAD AND CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE NOW HAS SEVERE WHIPLASH AND BRUISING. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140423
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121101
11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gas recirculation valve (egr valve).
CRASH INJURY11% of complaints: structure — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and hinge and attachments.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
REAR SUBFRAME IS ROTTED. MY 17 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, SHE LOST CONTROL, IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC.THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED AND SITTING IN A PARKING LOT FOR 2 MONTHS AS I CAN NOT FIND THIS PART!
NHTSA ODI report, 20200716
Also filed under SUSPENSION
10% of complaints: engine — 18 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 C
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.
Campaign 05V119000 — check if this car was fixed
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 T
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.
Campaign 05V315000 — check if this car was fixed
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 PREVEN
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.
Campaign 05V342000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 06V445000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FR
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
Campaign 07V197000 — check if this car was fixed
STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
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
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.
Campaign 09V122000 — check if this car was fixed
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 P
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.
Campaign 09V280000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), THE YAW RATE SENSOR MAY BECOME TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECALIBRATE INACCURATELY.
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.
Campaign 05V177000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Hyundai Tucson — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (31 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (31 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 05V177000 (electronic stability control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V119000 (electronic stability control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V315000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V342000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V445000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V197000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V122000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V280000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Hyundai Tucson is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Hyundai Tucson?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Tucson have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.