Model year
2005 Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 137 complaints for the 2005 Hyundai Elantra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (50), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (12), AIR BAGS:FRONTAL (11). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600–$2,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 197 complaints
- 2001 315 complaints
- 2002 342 complaints
- 2003 234 complaints
- 2004 182 complaints
- 2005 137 complaints
- 2006 155 complaints
- 2007 267 complaints
- 2008 314 complaints
- 2009 254 complaints
- 2010 380 complaints
- 2011 433 complaints
- 2012 654 complaints
- 2013 1,314 complaints
- 2014 386 complaints
- 2015 262 complaints
- 2016 293 complaints
- 2017 769 complaints
- 2018 284 complaints
- 2019 252 complaints
- 2020 254 complaints
- 2021 132 complaints
- 2022 102 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 55 complaints
- 2025 22 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
09V280000 · Jul 21, 2009
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…
05V479000 · Oct 17, 2005
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…
05V395000 · Sep 12, 2005
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…
05V187000 · Apr 28, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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.
Complaints
137 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 30, fire flag on 3, injury field 26, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Elantra · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Hyundai Elantra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.