YearToAvoid

2005 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, 17% of all 137 complaints for this model year. That is #16 highest engine complaint count among 21 Elantra model years. These complaints report 6 crashes and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 43,811 miles.

Engine complaints
23
17% of 137
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
43,811 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Hyundai Elantra engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 28, 2005, latest Jun 2, 2020.

2005 Hyundai Elantra engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2005Mar 2006Feb 2007Feb 2010Jan 2012Apr 2013Apr 2016
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2005 to Jun 2020; peak Aug 2006 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2005 Hyundai Elantra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Elantra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200523 (17%)
  2. 200617 (11%)
  3. 200726 (10%)
  4. 200862 (20%)
  5. 200930 (12%)
  6. 201040 (11%)
  7. 2011109 (25%)
  8. 2012161 (25%)
  9. 2013271 (21%)
  10. 2014180 (47%)
  11. 2015105 (40%)
  12. 2016123 (42%)
  13. 2017303 (40%)
  14. 2018150 (53%)
  15. 2019136 (54%)
  16. 2020117 (47%)
  17. 202125 (19%)
  18. 202213 (13%)
  19. 202322 (22%)
  20. 202413 (24%)
  21. 20254 (18%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have engine problems?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints about the engine in the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, 17% of all complaints for this model year, including 6 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 43,811 miles.
Which Hyundai Elantra year has the most engine complaints?
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has the most engine complaints (303), compared with 23 for the 2005.
Is there a engine recall for the 2005 Hyundai Elantra?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Hyundai Elantra is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.