2005 Hyundai Elantra: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 137 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (49% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“As I was driving about 25-30 mph when the front drivers side lower control arm snapped, resulting in loss of control and steering, which could've caused a major accident if driven on a highway/interstate at a higher rate of speed. The damage revealed the control arm had rotted from the inside and had broken from the bushing connected to the frame, with no indication of rust in the outside, which has been something that has documented with other same generation Hyundais. I have not been able to bring it to a dealer or mechanic to have it checked”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2025
“The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and released; however, the brake light remained illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V280000 (Exterior Lighting). Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff while making a turn. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V187000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2023
“The clip end will not release from the receiver by pressing the red release button,,,,,,safety problem...when alone in car I can put belt clip in passenger receiver”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2021
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2021
“At inspection, mechanic noted severe and dangerous rust to subframe and subfloor in multiple areas of vehicle. Rear portion of subframe was almost completed rusted through. Additionally noted issues with rp brake light, plate light and fp turn signal. Ongoing issue with fusses and bulbs continually blowing/going out.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2020
“While slowing down after driving on highway or stopping at an traffic light, the car stalls and loses power steering. Needs to be put in neutral to restart but if stopping at another light, it dies again. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2020
“Sub frame is rotting brought car to mechanic for service not related and he noticed this problem he said it could be dangerous if not addressed. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“Has an issue with the low beam light turning on only high beams work. Around 7:00 pm driving home lights just completely shut off on me down the freeway. Changed out the bulbs and again went out after 2 weeks around 6 traffic hour witch almost caused a collision when other driver merged into my lane due to no lights to show a vehicle was to his right. I have also seen its a huge issue with other elantra owners the same years.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 30 of these complaints and injuries in 26 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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 CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
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.
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 CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
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.
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.
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.
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. HYUNDAI WILL ARRANGE TO PICK UP AND RETURN THEIR VEHICLES AFTER REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
How other years compare
Check your exact Elantra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
NHTSA has 137 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Hyundai Elantra. The most complained-about area is air bags (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Hyundai Elantra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,104 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.