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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-HYUNDAI-ELANTRA
2005 · hyundai

hyundai Elantra problems

3 safety recalls. 137 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
65 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
9 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
9 reports · avg $600
severe
electrical
9 reports · avg $850
severe
engine
9 reports · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
7 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
6 reports · avg $700
severe
visibility
5 reports · avg $350
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2005 Elantra · lighting
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…
12/23/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11290990.0
2005 Elantra · airbags
PASSENGER SEAT PPD IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING MY AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ON. DEALERSHIP SAYS I AM NOT UNDER RECALL BUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT HYUNDAI AND AIRBAG RELATED ISSUES. *TR
12/23/2011 · NHTSA ODI #10441068.0
2005 Elantra · airbags
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE OCCUPANT WAS NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT PROPERLY. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP,…
12/22/2005 · NHTSA ODI #10145935.0
2005 Elantra · engine
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
12/18/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10667179.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 05V187000 28/04/2005

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 05V479000 17/10/2005

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 05V395000 12/09/2005

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2005 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Hyundai Elantra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2005 Hyundai Elantra?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 65 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Hyundai Elantra has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Hyundai Elantra?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 137 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 20 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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