2005 Hyundai Elantra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Hyundai Elantra has a complaint index of 5, the lowest of all 21 model years, and ranks 20th worst (out of years reviewed). It carries a Good verdict, though capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete. Airbags are the top problem area, with 71 complaints (52% share).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Elantra years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 137
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 30
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 26
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 26 / 0
Top 2005 Hyundai Elantra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags71 (52%)
- Engine23 (17%)
- Electrical System14 (10%)
- Structure & Body12 (9%)
- Brakes11 (8%)
- Other7 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (5%)
- Seat Belts6 (4%)
- Steering6 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, leaving occupants to absorb impact through seat belts alone.
- Some describe seat belts that failed to lock or anchor properly during hard braking or collisions.
- One owner reported sudden, unintended acceleration that led to two separate collisions.
- A vehicle caught fire while parked for several hours with no apparent cause identified by the fire department.
- Owners describe brakes failing to stop the car when applied at low speed, resulting in rear-end collisions.
- One report describes the vehicle hydroplaning and skidding easily on wet pavement at low speeds.
2005 Hyundai Elantra recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V280000Jul 21, 2009Electrical System3,011 vehicles
Exterior lighting
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.
Risk: Any of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 05V479000Oct 17, 2005Airbags2,105 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
- NHTSA 05V395000Sep 12, 2005Airbags231,160 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
2005 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2005 Elantra a complaint index of 5, the lowest among all 21 Elantra model years, and it ranks 20th worst overall. Its verdict is Good, though capped due to less complete complaint records for 2005-2009.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Hyundai Elantra?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 71 of 137 complaints (52% share) and involved in 23 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 35,500 miles.
- Does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2005 Elantra: two involving the airbag occupant classification system, one for a steering gearbox defect, and one for a malfunctioning stop lamp switch.
- How does the 2005 Elantra compare to other Elantra years?
- With a complaint index of 5, the 2005 model has fewer reported problems than every other year listed, including 2013 (index 100) and 2017 (index 95), both rated Avoid.