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.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 4, 2010
I BOUGHT IT FROM HYUNDAI DEALER ON DEC 16, 2009 WHICH ONLY HAD 31000 MILES THEN. IT STALLED THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE WEEK JUST ONE WEEK AFTER I BROUGHT. ONE STALLING HAPPENED WHEN BACKING UP AND ONE TIME HAPPENED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND ONE TIME WHEN LEAVING A STOP. I BROUGHT IT TO DEALER ON DECEMBER 31,2009. THEIR REPORT INDICATED THAT THEY FOUND A CODE FOR RANDOM MISS FIRE AND THEY REPLACE SPARK PLUG WIRES. THINGS TEMPORARILY WENT WELL AFTER THAT. THEN THE CAR TOTALLY DIED ON ONE MORNING, AROUND FEB 10,2010. THEN THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER SERVICE AND DEALER CHANGED THE BATTERY. BUT THE STALLING PROBLEM CAME BACK THIS WEEK AND IT HAD HAPPENED TWICE. ONE HAPPENED WHEN TURNING AROUND AT PARKING LOT AND ANOTHER WAS HAPPENED WHEN TURNING AROUND ON LOCAL ROAD. I AM GOING TO GIVE DEALER FOR ANOTHER FIX TOMORROW. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
WHILE DRIVING VERY SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, JUST AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN AND WHILE GENTLY PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN, MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT AN UNDESIRABLY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. ALTHOUGH I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND FIRMLY PRESSED THE BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO LURCH FORWARD WHILE THE RPM REVVED LOUDLY. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO PARK, AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE IDLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. FORTUNATELY, NO CARS OR PEDESTRIANS WERE IN FRONT OF ME, ALTHOUGH MANY SHOPPERS STANDING NEARBY STOPPED TO WATCH AS THEY HEARD THE EXCESSIVE ROAR OF THE ENGINE. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER, AND HE FOUND NO RECORD OF THE INCIDENT ON THE CAR'S COMPUTER SOFTWARE. THIS INCIDENT OF SUDDEN UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION HAPPENED THIS ONE TIME AND HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE. I AM REPORTING THIS TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM IS NOT LIMITED TO TOYOTA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 15, 2009
ON 12/10/2009 I HAD TAKEN MY AUTO IN FOR SERVICE AT THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. I TOLD THEM WE WERE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A FUNNY SMELL COMING OUT OF THE DASH WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND IT CONTINUES (THE ODOR) WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. THE ODOR IS NOT THERE WHILE VEHICLE IS NOT STARTED OR RUNNING? THEY PERFORMED THE NEW YORK STATE SAFETY AND EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND THE VEHICLE PASSED.THEY THEN WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE ODOR THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE VENT IS A NORMAL CONDITION FROM CONVERTER AND FUEL WINTER BLEND ? I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE DAY ONE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE? THIS IS MY FIFTH WINTER. I ALSO HAVE 2 OTHER VEHICLES AND WE BUY OUR GAS AT THE SAME STATION AND I AM NOT HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH EITHER ONE. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE? BUT WHEN I ASKED FOR A COPY I WAS TOLD HE COULDN'T FIND IT ,AND WHEN I WENT ONLINE I COULDN'T EITHER. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS ISSUE OR NOT BUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO OR POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION I WOULD APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE AS FAR AS THE DEALER IS CONCERNED THIS IS NORMAL AND I DON'T SEE WHAT'S NORMAL ABOUT IT .THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 6, 2009
ON 10/24/09 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND A HALF WHEN I NOTICED A SLIGHT JERKING FEELING. IT REPEATED ONCE OR TWICE. LATER WHEN DRIVING HOME, AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR IT STARTED UP AGAIN. THEN ABOUT AN HOUR LATER IT STALLED AT A RED LIGHT, I HARDLY MADE IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND IT WASN'T DISPLAYING THE PROBLEM. IT STARTED UP THE NEXT DAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT PULLED A PO 420 CODE. I CHANGE THE O2 SENSOR, DIDN'T FIX IT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON SAME CODE. I CHANGED MY MID CAT CONVERTER DIDN'T FIX IT, LIGHT BACK ON SAME CODE...MY MECHANIC THINKS WE SHOULD CHANGE UPPER CAT CONVERTER, I CALL THE DEALER. THEY SAY THE UPPER CAT IS CONNECTED TO THE MANIFOLD WHICH MEANS I'M STILL COVER UNDER THE 100K WARRANTY. MIND YOU I HAD MY MANIFOLD CHANGED AT 72K BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE ON 18MONTHS EARLIER (I HADN'T THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY.) NOW I'M AT 99K AND NEED A NEW MANIFOLD???? SO THE DEALER REPLACES THE MANIFOLD, STILL NOT FIXED. BREAK DOWN ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER SAYS IT'S MY PROBLEM, THEY FIXED IT!!! BACK TO MY MECHANIC PO 420 AGAIN. HE THINKS THE OLD UPPER CAT BLEW OUT THE NEW MID CAT BEFORE WE REPLACED IT. IT'S UNDER WARRANTY SO I WAIT A WEEK FOR THE PART TO COME IN... YOU GUESSED IT STILL NOT FIXED! I'M BRINGING IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC TOMORROW AND CALLING THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP. IT'S BEEN 7 WEEKS, $900 AND MY CAR IS STILL BROKEN. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 21, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 5 MPH INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENT. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE TOWN BUILDING CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGES AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, AND THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE ACCUSATION OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FURTHER. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 33,419.
Steering, Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 8, 2009, crash
PURCHASED 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA NOVEMBER 14, 2007. DEALERSHIP CARFAX SHOWED 40,836 ODOMETER MILES. DEALERSHIP ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT SHOWED 8,494. NOVEMBER 18, 2007 DROVE I-26 IN COLUMBIA, SC. DROVE ON EMERGENCY STRIP TO AVOID DEBRIS ON ROAD. REAR END SPUN OUT AND LOST CONTROL OF CAR. CRASHED INTO 18 WHEELER AND PUSHED ACROSS INTERSTATE, UP AN EMBANKMENT, UNDER A CATCH FENCE AND STOPPED ON A SERVICE ROAD. A TOTAL LOSS. NOT UNTIL 11/29/07 THAT I WAS MADE AWARE OF A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE STEERING LINKAGE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DMV.ORG REPORT OF 11/24/07 SHOWS ODOMETER READING 40,836 AND NO ODOMETER PROBLEM TITLE RECORD. CARFAX REPORT STATED NO RECALLS REPORTED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS HEADQUARTERS ABOUT THE ODOMETER DISCREPANCY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CARFAX INFO WAS CHANGED SHOWING ODOMETER READING 8,584 AND ALSO THEY BACKDATED INFORMATION. SHOWED ODOMETER DISCREPANCY ON THE ALTERED REPORT. JUST CLERICAL ERRORS? IF WE SUFFERED A TOTAL LOSS, HOW COME OUR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY? DID WE HAVE A TRUE STEERING LINKAGE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILURE? DID WE TRULY HAVE 40,836 MILES ON OUR ODOMETER? WAS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE FOR 40,835 MILES? *TR
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2009, fire
THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 7 HOURS. THE LEFT TAILLIGHT AND BUMPER AREA AS WELL AS THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE IS FIRE DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD WIPER, WHEEL WELL, FRONT LEFT TIRE, LEFT TAILLIGHT, BUMPER, TRUNK LID AND SPOILER. THE STRIP THAT RUNS ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROOF FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE REAR WINDOW AND THE WIRE UNDER IT HAS DAMAGE BY THE REAR WINDOW. *TR
Air bags, Jun 8, 2009
I DRIVE A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE CAR IS FAULTY AS INDICATED BY THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS RECALLED IN 2005. IN 2007 I TOOK MY CAR TO FAIRFAX HYUNDAI TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. AT THE TIME I DID NOT KNOW IT INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T MENTION THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. (AT THAT TIME THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO BE SAFETY INSPECTED AND I REVISITED THE FAIRFAX HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE OTHER ITEMS ON MY CAR FIXED. NO ONE MENTIONED IT WAS AN ISSUE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE SURE TO TELL ME ABOUT OTHER (EXPENSIVE) PROBLEMS ON THE CAR BUT NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT. RECENTLY I WENT TO HAVE MY CAR SAFETY INSPECTED AGAIN (AS REQUIRED BY VIRGINIA LAW) AND THE INSPECTOR HAS NOW CAUGHT THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT 100 DOLLARS JUST TO LOOK AT IT. THE ARE TELLING ME REPAIRS COULD BE UP TO 500 DOLLARS. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? AS I UNDERSTAND IT, I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH NO AIRBAG SYSTEM. FOR TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND FAMILY MEMBERS, SOME ARE CHILDREN, WITHOUT AIRBAGS. *TR
Air bags, May 19, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V395000 (AIR BAGS) IN 2005. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 24, 2009, crash
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA . ON APRIL 24, 2009 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE BRAKED UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED HER BRAKE THEY FAILED TO WORK AND SHE CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. SHE EXPERIENCED MINOR INJURIES, BUT HER CHILDREN WHO WERE PASSENGERS WERE UNHARMED. SHE HAS NOT HAD PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE DID HOWEVER MENTION HEARING A SQUEAKING NOISE ABOUT TWICE PRIOR TO THE CRASH, BUT WAS NOT SURE IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47000. UPDATED 05/18/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/19/09.*B
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2009
BATTERY CHARGE KEEPS DRAINING IN A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 3X, ALTERNATOR WORKS WELL BUT IF THE CAR SITS WITHOUT STARTING FOR LONGER THAN 24 HRS IT WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY HAS NOT BEEN FROZEN AND HOLDS A CHARGE WHEN TESTED INDEPENDENTLY, VEHICLE IS USED ONLY FOR PAVED DRIVING, AND WE DO NOT USE SALT ON THE ROADS HERE DURING THE WINTER, ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE TESTED FINE BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO BRING THE CAR IN TO A SHOP FOR A FULL DIAGNOSTIC AT THIS TIME, THIS ISSUE BEGAN BACK IN OCTOBER 08 WITH NO WARNING AND HAS CONTINUED THROUGH THE WINTER AND NOW IN SPRING. IS THERE ANY POSSIBLE EXPLANATION? I AM NOT A MECHANIC AND SO WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER DOING ANY WORK BESIDES MINOR MAINTENANCE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 4, 2009
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WHEN AN AVERAGE SIZED ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. INDICATING THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Sep 6, 2008
1. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGERS IS SITTING IN FRONT SEAT (AIR BAG IS OFF) 2. ALMOST EVERY TIME IT GOES ON AND OFF WHEN IN TRAFFIC. 3. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER ABOUT 5 TIMES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. *TR
Power train, May 31, 2008
WHILE ENTERTAINING MY GIRLFRIENDS SISTER AND FAMILY, MY 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING, AND LOCKED IN SECOND GEAR. IT HAD BEEN LOSING POWER REGULARLY, AND HYUNDAI SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT, AS THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR WOULD REV EXTREMELY HARD WHILE IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE ANY FASTER. AFTER IT LOCKED UP, IT WAS TOWED BY AAA TO A DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE HYUNDAI IMPROPERLY TOLD MY GIRLFRIEND THAT MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVALID ( IT WAS NOT). THE CAR HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT IT, THE SAID THAT THE CLUTCH PAD HAD BURNED UP, WHICH, HAD FUSED THE GEAR BOX, AND CAUSED THE CAR TO LOCK UP. THEY STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PAD WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THERE WARRANTY, AS THE DAMAGE WAS A RESULT OF "RIDING THE CLUTCH" I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR 34 YEARS, AND HAVE NEVER RIDDEN THE CLUTCH. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO HYUNDAI, BOTH TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO HYUNDAI USA, I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. TO THE TUNE OF $3500.00!!! THEY HAD MY CAR FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, AND REFUSED TO GIVE ME A LONER, SAYING SINCE IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE , THEY WERE NOT REQUIRED TO GIVE ME ONE. THIS WAS AFTER HYUNDAI USA HAD TOLD ME SPECIFICALLY THAT THE CLUTCH PAD WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD GET A LONER WHILE IT WAS REPAIRED. I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO WORK FOR OVER A WEEK, WHICH COST ME A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PROBLEM, NOT TO MENTION HAVING TO PAY $3,500.00 OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, AS I KNOW 4 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR CARS, AND IN ALL CASES ALL HYUNDAI WOULD DO WAS SAY THEY WERE RIDING THE CLUTCH, AND MAKE THEM PAY FOR REPAIRS. AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD TALKED TO A HYUNDAI MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD HYUNDAI KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND HAD FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF IT, THAT THEY HAD REFUSED TO REPLACE ANY TRANSMISSIONS AND IN FACT THEY HAD CHANGED THEIR WARRANTY ENOUGH TO MAKE IT VAGUE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, May 5, 2008, crash
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. MY FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED. IDENTICAL TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT DIDN'T LATCH. I SLID UNDER THE BELT UP TO MY RIBS, SMASHING MY KNEE, FEET AND FIST INTO THE DASH. MY AIRBAG LIGHT LIT UP AS IF MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY REPAIR MAN WAS APPALLED THAT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. HE SAID I HAD VERY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I DON'T BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED TO THE DEGREE THAT I WAS IN THE ACCIDENT. I AM SUPPOSED TO GET MY CAR BACK TOMORROW (REPAIRED!?) NOTHING WAS DONE TO ADDRESS THE AIRBAG SITUATION EXCEPT RESETTING THE LIGHT ON THE DASH. HYUNDAI REPLACED THE SEATBELT, THEY TOLD MY REPAIR MAN THAT THE PRE-TENSOR WENT OFF AS IT SHOULD...THAT IS A LIE. OTHERWISE I WOULDN'T HAVE SLID UNDER THE SEATBELT. I THINK THIS IS A HUGE COVERUP. I KNOW OF ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE HYUNDAI 5 STAR CRASH RATING....I WILL HAVE HER CONTACT YOU AS WELL. *TR
Air bags, Apr 13, 2008
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL BE ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS OFF. THERE WILL BE AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THIS OCCURS. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT STILL COMES ON WHEN THERE IS A FULL SIZE ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
Air bags, Apr 1, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND FILED A REPORT. BOTH PARTIES WERE INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT'S NOSE WAS FRACTURED IN THREE PLACES. SHE ALSO SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN RIBS, A PUNCTURED LUNG, A BROKEN HIP AND PELVIS, AND A FRACTURED ANKLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
Air bags, Jul 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE VEHICLE, THE SENSOR INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE PASSENGER MOVES AROUND IN THE SEAT, THIS ALSO TRIGGERS THE SENSOR TO DEACTIVATE. THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE WEIGHT FOR THE SENSOR TO ACTIVATE IS BETWEEN 115-130 POUNDS. THE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE TESTED AND APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 13, 2007
FOR THE MOST PART I AM VERY STATIFIED WITH THE 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, 4 DOOR SEDAN. HOWEVER, THE LOCKING MECHANISM INSIDE THE TRUNK LID CAN CAUSE HEAD INJURY. I HIT MY HEAD NUMEROUS TIMES ON IT, AND I THINK THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO TO TAKE ACTION REDESIGN THE INNER LOCKING MECHANISM SO IT WAS OUT OF RANGE OF A PERSON BENDING INTO THE TRUNK AND BENDING BACK OUT OF THE TRUNK AREA. I AM A CAUCTOUS PERSON, BUT IT HURTS WHEN THE LIP OF THE INNER LOCKING MECHANISM OF THE TRUNK HITS THE HEAD. I DON'T HAVE EXACT DATES OF THE PARTICULAR INCIDENTS, BUT CAN GENERALLY SAY I HAVE HIT MY HEAD NUMEROUS TIMES BETWEEN 4/2006 TO THE PRESENT. *AK
Air bags, Tires, May 27, 2007, crash
MY 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HYDROPLANES EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS AND SKIDS VERY EASILY ON SLIGHTLY WET PAVEMENT. MY DAUGHTER HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO ME MANY TIMES. TONIGHT SHE HYDROPLANED AND WENT INTO A WOODEN POLE. SHE WASN'T INJURED AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE FRONT FENDER WAS DAMAGED. I AM GOING TO HAVE IT FIXED THEN SEE ABOUT GETTING RID OF THE CAR. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE SAFE. *TR
Visibility, Apr 25, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS COVERED IN TINY HOLES. A NEWS BROADCAST MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM AND IT SERVED AS CONFIRMATION FOR THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS A SERIOUS FAILURE. THE HOLES MADE VISIBILITY DIFFICULT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE WAS ONLY ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IN A UNIFORMED, STRAIGHT PATTERN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 30,600, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.*AK UPDATED 05/23/07. *JB
Air bags, Apr 6, 2007, crash
WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WEIGHING ANYWHERE FROM 100-220LBS WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE SITTING STILL THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF, THE INDICATOR NORMALLY STATES THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL CAR, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IF THE LIGHT IS ON THEN THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY, BUT THIS CONTRADICTS WHAT IS IN THE MANUAL, AND WHAT IS STATED FROM OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. I GOT IN A WRECK ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER HAVING MY CAR, I GOT HIT FROM BEHIND FAIRLY HARD, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF, BUT THE MANUAL SAYS THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY IN MOST REAR END COLLISIONS, SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. THIS MAKES ME SCARED THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE A LOVED ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN A WRECK OCCURS AND THE AIR BAG IS GOING TO FAIL.*AK
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 6, 2007
AFTER FINISHING DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING KEYS FROM IGNITION THE CAR WILL DING, THE SAME DING THAT HAPPENS IF YOU LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN THE IGNITION. IF I EXIT THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO LOCK THE DOORS AND ARM THE ALARM WITH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY THE CAR WILL NOT LOCK OR ARM THE ALARM, IF I TRY TO MANUALY USE THE KEYS TO LOCK THE VEHICLE IT UNLOCKS THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN FIX THIS IS IF I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND THEN TURN IT OFF. THIS OCCURS TOTALY RANDOMLY AND OCCURS ABOUT ONCE EVERY MONTH. IT STARTED ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE CAR IN MARCH 2006. ITS NOT THAT BIG OF A HASSLE NOW EXCEPT SOMETIME I MIGHT GO TO LOCK THE CAR AND THINK IT LOCKED WHEN IT DIDN'T. I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE THE START OF A BIGGER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM ALSO HAVING THE AIRBAG ISSUE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING. *AK
Air bags, Mar 26, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORKING DUE TO A DEFAULT OF SENSORS. SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY WERE WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE DEALER WAS REFUSING TO GIVE THE CONTACT A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 28,859.*AK
Visibility, Structure, Mar 2, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEV 2005 HYUNDAI ELECTRA'S ROOF HAD A WATER LEAK. SHE HAD REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUED TO INFORM THE CONTACT THAT THE WATER WAS COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS RAINING. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUED TO REPLACE AND RESEAL THE WINDSHIELD. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOOK TO VEHICLE TO AUTO CONCEPT, AND THE COMPANY CALLED THE WATER DOCTOR. THEY INFORMED HER THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE RIVETS H POPPED IN THE ROOF . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, SHE COULD SEE WITH THE WATER COMING INTO THE VEHICLE. SHE FELT THAT THERE MAY BE MOLD FORMING IN THE VEHICLE. THE WATER CAME DOWN ON HER FEET, AND CAME IN ON THE GEAR SHIFT. THE CONTACT WILL BE CALLING THE MANUFACTURER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6544, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8576.*AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB