The Lemon Index2005 Hyundai Elantra.
The 2005 Hyundai Elantra is better than average by owner complaints: 50 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 62, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 24 to 26 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Elantra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 137 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Elantra year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 11K to 89K miles on the car (107 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 8K–77K miles
Recalls 4
- lights 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,011 MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELANTRA, TUCSON, SONATA, AZERA AND ACCENT VEHICLES.
- airbags 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM.
- airbags 2005
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM.
Show all 4 recalls
- steering 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed engagement into drive or reverse
- Automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed upshift or downshift - gds analysis
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Owner of a 2005 Hyundai Elantra reporting vehicle sudden acceleration.
2005 Hyundai Elantra owner · NHTSA complaint 10113125
More owner reports
2005 Hyundai Elantra. I have experienced intermittant wild acceleration when my foot is on the brake as if I had floored the accelerator. The dealer cannot duplicate the problem, thus no fix.
NHTSA complaint 10143852
Airbag light comes on intermittently, with an adult in the passenger seat. Took vehicle to dealer and was told there was nothing they could do.
NHTSA complaint 10124852
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Elantra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Elantra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (64%), speed control (12%) and visibility (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have?
4 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra get?
24 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 11,000 and 89,000 miles. The middle report was at 50,000 miles, from 107 complaints.
Does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Hyundai Elantra have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Elantra year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2014 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works