2005 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 137 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 30 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingJul 21, 2009
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.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsOct 17, 2005
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 05V479000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsSep 12, 2005
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 05V395000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, linkages, tie rod assemblyApr 28, 2005
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 05V187000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
71 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Air bags, Nov 3, 2024
The air bag light came on and it is staying on
Air bags, Oct 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact was made aware of various recalls for similar vehicles. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in an air bag recall. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed there was no active recalls on the vehicle for the air bags. The contact scheduled a service appointment for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Apr 17, 2022
Passenger airbag sensor registers when someone sits down, but randomly turns off and displays “Passenger Airbag Off” light for a couple minutes before turning off again. Vehicle was inspected by an authorized Hyundai service center and no codes were produced. No indicated problems prior to the first incident.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. BEAVERTON HYUNDAI (13255 SW FARMINGTON RD, BEAVERTON, OR 97005, (877) 812-0866) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A SCANNER AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000.
Air bags, Oct 22, 2019
I CALL A DEALER LAST YEAR (LEE HYUNDAI) FLORENCE, SC. AND WAS TOLD THAT IF I WANT TO HAVE IT FIXED THAT IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 500 DOLLARS, I ALSO THOUGHT THAT I HAD MADE A REPORT WITH NHTSA BEFORE AND THEN WHEN IT CAME ON TV, IT WAS SAID THAT HYUNDAI WAS LIABLE FOR FIXING IT.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2019
MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO AWAY
Air bags, Sep 22, 2018
TALKED TO DEALER (HYUNDAI LEE), AND WAS TOLD RECALL WAS CLOSED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAID TO HAVE FIXED. I BROUGHT THIS CAR FROM DEALER.
Air bags, Aug 24, 2018
JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND THE AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT WENT ON. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $140 TO DIAGNOSE INFORMING ME THAT THE SEAT SENSORS NEED REPLACEMENT ADDING THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS A FAILURE OF HYUNDAI'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLUS QUALITY CONTROL OF A MAJOR SAFETY SYSTEM DEVICE. ITS REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE FREE BASED ON THIS. AS A NOTE THE LIGHT COMES ON IMMEDIATELY AT START AND WHILE DRIVING, STAYS ON CONSTANTLY
Air bags, Mar 5, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND I NEED SAFETY IN THE CAR,WONDERING IF RECALL HAS BEEN REPORTED
Air bags, Nov 25, 2017
PASSENGERS SEAT WAS CHECKED .FAULTY SENSOR IN SEAT .$1800. 00 TO FIX .CANT AFFORD TO FIX ON A FIXED INCOME
Air bags, Seats, Jul 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCS MAT FAILED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION HYUNDAI MALL OF GEORGIA (3445 BUFORD DR NE, BUFORD, GA 30519) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Air bags, Feb 16, 2017
23,000 ORIGINAL MILES. NEVER INVOLVED IN A CRASH. FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES AIR BAG OFF EVEN WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER SEATED AND BELTED IN THE SEAT. INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AT A TIME, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY. HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. CAUSE FOR SERIOUS CONCERN FOR SAFETY OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THIS VEHICLE.
Air bags, Sep 17, 2016
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP ON COMING AND GOING OFF
Air bags, May 26, 2016, crash
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR HIGHER, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND THE DOOR FRACTURED ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES, ARM PAINS, BRUISING TO THE HIPS, AND A PULLED MUSCLE IN THE RIGHT LEG. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE LEFT EYE, HIP, AND HEAD. THE CHILD PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND ABRASIONS TO THE ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND PARKED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V395000 (AIR BAGS), BUT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ
Air bags, Oct 5, 2015
THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF AND WILL NOT DETECT A PERSON IN THAT SEAT AND TURN THE "PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT OFF. THIS HAS BEEN A REOCCURRING PROBLEM IN OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. FOR SOME REASON, THE ELANTRA HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE SAME SYSTEM AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS ATTENTION..
Air bags, May 13, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A VEHICLE IN FRONT STALLED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.
Air bags, Mar 15, 2015
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AT ANY SPEED. *TR
Air bags, Jun 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN
Air bags, Mar 19, 2014
WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF. IT STAYS LIT FOR A FEW MILES, THEN GOES OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE TRIP. *TR
Air bags, Nov 19, 2013, crash
TOOK SHARP TURN RIGHT TO MISS A CAR THAT WAS HEADED FOR ME HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. INJURIES INCLUDED CONCUSSION, WHIP LASH, BROKEN HAND, BRUISED RIBS, GLASS AND CUTS IN HEAD FROM WINDSHIELD, LIP WAS TORN IN HALF AND BRUISED, TWO DAY HOSPITAL STAY AND A TOTALED CAR. *TR
Air bags, Oct 4, 2013, crash
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 AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Jul 10, 2013, crash
I WAS DRIVING DOWN HWY I-45 SOUTH IN DALLAS, TX AND HIT BLACK ICE. THAT IS ICE THAT CANNOT BE SEEN ON THE ROAD. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 55 MPH. I HIT THE BRAKES AND HIT THE BACK OF A METAL TRAILER. THE WELDED MESH LANDSCAPER TRAILERS POPULAR IN DALLAS. IN OTHER WORDS I HIT A FLAT VERTICAL HARD SERVICE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I TOLD HYUNDAI OF THE ISSUE AND THEY SENT OUT SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY SENT A LETTER STATING "THE ELANTRA'S FRONTAL AIRBAGS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DEPLOY DURING EVERY IMPACT THAT IS GENERALLY DIRECTED AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END." I AM CONFUSED, I THOUGHT A AIR BAG SHOULD WORK WITH ALL FRONT END IMPACTS AND COLLISIONS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I DID NOT GET A DISCLAIMER STATING WHEN THE AIRBAG SHOULD WORK AND SHOULD NOT WITH A 50 MPH FRONT END COLLISION. I AM UPSET WITH THE WAY HYUNDAI IS RESPONDING. I DID NOT EXPECT A NEW CAR, ONLY FOR HYUNDAI TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Nov 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE MALFUNCTION WOULD OCCUR EVEN WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V395000 (AIR BAGS) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 03/15/13*LJ
Air bags, Aug 22, 2012
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
Air bags, Jul 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC NOTICE A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 05V395000 (AIR BAG) AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE AIR BAG RECALL BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.