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
137 reports, newest first.
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
Steering, Apr 22, 2016
WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT CLICKING SOUND. CLICKING SOUND STOPS WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHTEN.
Engine, Apr 21, 2016
ENGINE ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY 4 LANE HWY & BRAKE PEDAL WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR. FINALLY WAS STOPPING AND I SHUT THE CAR OFF. HAD IT TOWED HOME WHERE IT HAS BEEN UNUSABLE SINCE OUT OF FEAR. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS ON DIFFERENT HYUNDAI MODELS AND DIFFERENT YEARS BECAUSE OF THE CARS' ACCELERATING ON THEIR OWN. WHY HAVEN'T THESE CARS BEEN RECALLED? ???
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2015
I BOUGHT A NEW CABIN AIR FILTER TO REPLACE THE OLD CABIN AIR FILTER FOR 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN I OPENED THE COMPARTMENT, TO MY SHOCK, THERE ISN'T AN AIR FILTER FOUND.....UPDATED 12/02/15 *BF *CN
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
Tires, Feb 18, 2015
AUTOMOBILE DEVELOPED A THUMPING IN THE STEERING AND THE TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A BROKEN TREAD BELT. IT COULD BE PLAINLY SEEN IN THE LATERAL RIPPLING OF THE TREAD. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRE BUT WANTED TO SELL A NEW SET. NO CUTTING OR OTHER DAMAGE FOUND IN TREAD AT POINT OF BREAK. SUSPECT A TIRE DEFECT. *TR
Engine, Dec 18, 2014
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ENGINE ACCELERATED TO 3500 RPM'S FORCING ME TO JAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. *TR
Seat belts, Aug 29, 2014
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT OF MY 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA NO LONGER RETRACTS. THIS IS A $600 FIX AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 11, 2014
WHEN I ARRIVED HOME THAT NIGHT I THOUGHT I HAD LEFT MY LIGHTS ON BECAUSE MY BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I CHECKED MY LIGHT SWITCH AND ALL MY LIGHTS WERE OFF EXCEPT FOR MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY WAY TO FIX IT AND I FOUND THE RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. *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
Electrical system, May 27, 2014
MY CAR STALLS. THIS FIRST STARTED HAPPENING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR WOULD STALL BUT WOULD START RIGHT UP. NOW IT IS HAPPENING WHEN I TURN INTO PARKING LOTS OR MAKING A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. MY CAR STALLS, I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT STARTS BACK UP AGAIN. THE MOST FRIGHTENING TIME WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET ABOUT 40-45 MPH AND MY CAR JUST SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS VERY SCARED THAT SOMEONE WOULD REAR-END ME. THE PROBLEM IS IT HAPPENS INTERMEDIATELY. THE MECHANICS CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET IT TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EXCEPT TRADE IT IN WHICH I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DO. *TR
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
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 30, 2013
VERY SPORADIC (6-8 TIMES OVER SIX MONTHS) CONTINUED ACCELERATION AT 2500+ RPM WHEN FOOT IS REMOVED FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL. NO CODES EVER SET; NO INFORMATION PROVIDED BY ENGINE HISTORY. TEST DRIVE BY A TRUSTED MECHANIC AND A SERVICE REP FROM LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER (MOST RECENT TEST DRIVE 10/30/2013) COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE DEFECT. TEST DRIVE BY ME WITH THE SAME SERVICE REP SAME DAY NEARLY RESULTED IN SEVERE CRASH. TURNING RIGHT OUT OF DEALERSHIP ONTO MD 198 AND ACCELERATING UP TO 3300 RPM TOWARD CHANGING TRAFFIC SIGNAL, VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW WHEN FOOT REMOVED FROM PEDAL. BRAKE APPLIED WITH GREAT EFFORT AND VIRTUALLY NO RESPONSE. STEERED INTO RIGHT TURN IN FRONT OF CROSS TRAFFIC FROM LEFT AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL TO REGAIN CONTROL OF BRAKES ON RIGHT SHOULDER. ENGINE RACED IN EXCESS OF 6000 RPM WITH NO LOAD FOR 1-2 SECONDS UNTIL I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TWICE. ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE SPEED. THIS UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION HAPPENED TWICE MORE BEFORE WE GOT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND WARRANTS A FULL INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE OURISMAN HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP ON FORT MEADE ROAD, LAUREL, MD. *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
Visibility/wiper, Sep 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 52 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT HER SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
Power train, Engine, Apr 4, 2013
VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE IN PARK AND IN NEUTRAL TO 3000RPM. SLOWED DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND WENT BACK TO NORMAL ACCELERATION. *TR
Tires, Nov 19, 2012
THE SIDEWALLS OF TWO TIRES PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME WERE SEPARATING CAUSING MULTIPLE GASHES ON EACH TIRE. BOTH TIRES WERE PURCHASED ORIGINALLY ON 8/11/2011 AND TODAY I HAD TO TAKE THEM TO GET REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED YESTERDAY, 11/18/12. THE TIRE STORE REFUSED TO ISSUE ANY WARRANTY ON THE TIRES AS THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I HAD TO PAY FOR NEW TIRES. THE TIRE STORE TOOK THE TIRES BUT I TOOK PICTURES OF THE TIRES BEFORE THEY TOOK THEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 16, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE BUT THE VEHICLE INSTEAD ENGAGED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF A NEIGHBORING HOME. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 14, 2012, crash
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. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN CRASHED INTO A NEARBY HOUSE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.