Model year
2005 Hyundai Tucson
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 185 complaints for the 2005 Hyundai Tucson (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (25), AIR BAGS (22), ENGINE (18). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2005 185 complaints
- 2006 135 complaints
- 2007 65 complaints
- 2008 43 complaints
- 2009 18 complaints
- 2010 59 complaints
- 2011 124 complaints
- 2012 255 complaints
- 2013 266 complaints
- 2014 202 complaints
- 2015 229 complaints
- 2016 1,625 complaints
- 2017 1,093 complaints
- 2018 399 complaints
- 2019 385 complaints
- 2020 179 complaints
- 2021 80 complaints
- 2022 386 complaints
- 2023 135 complaints
- 2024 99 complaints
- 2025 291 complaints
- 2026 63 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…
09V122000 · Apr 15, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE…
07V197000 · May 8, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, STATIC AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TESTING CONDUCTED BY NHTSA USING FIFTH PERCENTILE FEMALE DUMMIES INDICATED THAT A SMALL STATURE ADULT DRIVER NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL OR NEAR FRONTAL CRASH, THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT OCCUR.
06V445000 · Nov 22, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING STATIC AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TESTING CONDUCTED BY NHTSA USING FIFTH PERCENTILE FEMALE DUMMIES INDICATED IF A SMALL STATURED ADULT DRIVER, NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL OR NEAR FRONTAL CRASH, DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIR…
05V342000 · Jul 27, 2005
PARKING BRAKE
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PARKING LEVER RATCHET PAWL WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND MAY DAMAGE THE TEETH OF THE PARKING LEVER RATCHET. DAMAGED PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET TEETH MAY PREVENT THE PARKING BRAKE FROM ENGAGING OR MAY ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE…
05V315000 · Jul 7, 2005
PARKING BRAKE
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET PAWL WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND MY DAMAGE THE TEETH OF THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET. DAMAGED PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET TEETH MAY PREVENT THE PARKING BRAKE FROM ENGAGING OR MAY ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE…
05V177000 · Apr 27, 2005
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), THE YAW RATE SENSOR MAY BECOME TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECALIBRATE INACCURATELY. WHILE DRIVING THE ESP PROGRAM MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REDUCE POWER AND MAY CAUSE A BRAKE AT ONE OF THE WHEELS TO BE…
05V119000 · Mar 25, 2005
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), THE YAW RATE SENSOR MAY BECOME TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECALIBRATE INACCURATELY. WHILE DRIVING THE ESP PROGRAM MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REDUCE POWER AND MAY CAUSE A BRAKE AT ONE OF THE WHEELS TO BE…
Complaints
185 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 12, fire flag on 3, injury field 18, 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
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE09003 | STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH; POWER… | Jan 14, 2009 | Apr 24, 2009 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson 2WD · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Tucson 2WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Tucson 2WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Tucson 4WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Tucson 4WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
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 Tucson at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.