Total Complaints
76 filings
HYUNDAI ACCENT · model year
76 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005HYUNDAIACCENT carries 76 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 ACCENT is exterior lighting with 13 filings, followed by power train (12) and service brakes (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2005 ACCENT, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
76 filings
Crashes Reported
15 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 13 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 1 |
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 BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEAS
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the doors could no longer be opened from inside the vehicle. The contact had to roll down the windows in order to let herself out of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,453.
Mileage: 14,453
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, a vehicle nearby informed the contact that the rear driverâs and passengerâs side brake lights were inoperable. The contact continued driving to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and replaced the rear light bulbs however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Mileage: 147,000
FOR SOME REASON MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES IT DOES IT THEN IT STOPS AND ACTS NORMAL THEN IT DOES IT AGAIN MEANWHILE IM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STERRING WHEEL I HAD IT CHECKED A COUPLE TIMES AND EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE IT HAS FLUIDS BUT IT GETS STUCK WHILE IM DRIVING AND NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IT GETS LOCKED WHILE IM DRIVING IT HAPPENS ALOT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS STARTS ACTING UP I COULD BE IN A HIGHWAY OR I CAN BE IN THE STREETS ITS STARTING TO ANNOY ME
Mileage: 150
FOR SOME REASON MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES IT DOES IT THEN IT STOPS AND ACTS NORMAL THEN IT DOES IT AGAIN MEANWHILE IM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STERRING WHEEL I HAD IT CHECKED A COUPLE TIMES AND EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE IT HAS FLUIDS BUT IT GETS STUCK WHILE IM DRIVING AND NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IT GETS LOCKED WHILE IM DRIVING IT HAPPENS ALOT WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS STARTS ACTING UP I COULD BE IN A HIGHWAY OR I CAN BE IN THE STREETS ITS STARTING TO ANNOY ME
Mileage: 150
TAKATA RECALL.. FOR SOME REASON MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES EVERYTIME THAT HAPPENS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON ME IVE HAD TO CHANGE MY DISK AND CALIBER ON MY CAR IN ONLY A WEEK 3 TIMES BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON ITS BEEN SCRATCHING MY BRAKES AND ROTORS AND IT MESSED UP A BRAND NEW ROTORS AND CALIBER MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WEEK NOW BECAUSE IM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE NOT EVEN THE MECANIC KNOWS WHATS WRONG WITH IT (THIS IS THE LINK TO IMAGES (HTTPS://PHOTOS.APP.GOO.GL/3XCWPXP4T7QRVPLQ8)
Mileage: 150
TAKATA RECALL.. FOR SOME REASON MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES EVERYTIME THAT HAPPENS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON ME IVE HAD TO CHANGE MY DISK AND CALIBER ON MY CAR IN ONLY A WEEK 3 TIMES BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON ITS BEEN SCRATCHING MY BRAKES AND ROTORS AND IT MESSED UP A BRAND NEW ROTORS AND CALIBER MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WEEK NOW BECAUSE IM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE NOT EVEN THE MECANIC KNOWS WHATS WRONG WITH IT (THIS IS THE LINK TO IMAGES (HTTPS://PHOTOS.APP.GOO.GL/3XCWPXP4T7QRVPLQ8)
Mileage: 150
TAKATA RECALL.. FOR SOME REASON MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES EVERYTIME THAT HAPPENS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON ME IVE HAD TO CHANGE MY DISK AND CALIBER ON MY CAR IN ONLY A WEEK 3 TIMES BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON ITS BEEN SCRATCHING MY BRAKES AND ROTORS AND IT MESSED UP A BRAND NEW ROTORS AND CALIBER MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WEEK NOW BECAUSE IM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE NOT EVEN THE MECANIC KNOWS WHATS WRONG WITH IT (THIS IS THE LINK TO IMAGES (HTTPS://PHOTOS.APP.GOO.GL/3XCWPXP4T7QRVPLQ8)
Mileage: 150
RECEIVE AN RECALL ON MY VEHICLE CONCERNING BRAKES LIGHTS, BUT I BOUGHT THE CAR ON THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2007 AND THE DEALER NO LONGER EXIST. WHAT CAN I DO IN SUCH A CASE TO CORRECT THE DEFAULT.
VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. 30 MINUTES AND $80.00 LATER THE PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED. HYUNDAI HAS HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS OF THEIR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES, BUT EACH TIME THE APPLY THE RECALL TO A VERY NARROW SELECTION OF MODELS, OF WHICH THIS AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. STRANDING A 19 Y/O GIRL IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT 9:30 AT NIGHT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LESS FAVORABLE OUTCOME. HOW MANY OTHER UNFORTUNATES SUFFER BECAUSE OF A FAILURE ON THE PART OF HYUNDAI TO STEP UP AND FIX AN INEXPENSIVE PART.
Mileage: 170,000
VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. 30 MINUTES AND $80.00 LATER THE PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED. HYUNDAI HAS HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS OF THEIR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES, BUT EACH TIME THE APPLY THE RECALL TO A VERY NARROW SELECTION OF MODELS, OF WHICH THIS AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. STRANDING A 19 Y/O GIRL IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT 9:30 AT NIGHT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LESS FAVORABLE OUTCOME. HOW MANY OTHER UNFORTUNATES SUFFER BECAUSE OF A FAILURE ON THE PART OF HYUNDAI TO STEP UP AND FIX AN INEXPENSIVE PART.
Mileage: 170,000
VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. 30 MINUTES AND $80.00 LATER THE PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED. HYUNDAI HAS HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS OF THEIR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES, BUT EACH TIME THE APPLY THE RECALL TO A VERY NARROW SELECTION OF MODELS, OF WHICH THIS AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. STRANDING A 19 Y/O GIRL IN A DARK PARKING LOT AT 9:30 AT NIGHT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LESS FAVORABLE OUTCOME. HOW MANY OTHER UNFORTUNATES SUFFER BECAUSE OF A FAILURE ON THE PART OF HYUNDAI TO STEP UP AND FIX AN INEXPENSIVE PART.
Mileage: 170,000
RIM OF AT LEAST ONE TIRE HAS DISINTEGRATED TO THE POINT OF A HOLE THAT LETS THE AIR OUT OF THE TIRE. A THROUGH HOLE IN THE BODY OF THE RIM.
Mileage: 125,000
I WAS TRAVELING (AND LIKELY SLIGHTLY BRAKING) ON A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEIZED UP, AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN AND DASH STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THE CAR FISH-TAILED AROUND. I CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRICADE AND ENDING UP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC -- WHICH COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND THE DRIVER OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE, WHO ALSO ENDED UP CRASHING. WEATHER / VISIBILITY AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY, AND THERE WERE NO APPARENT O STRUCTIONS IN THE ROADWAY. AFTER THE CRASH, THE WHEELS MOVED NORMALLY AGAIN AND LOOKED UNAFFECTED.
Mileage: 54,783
I WAS TRAVELING (AND LIKELY SLIGHTLY BRAKING) ON A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEIZED UP, AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN AND DASH STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THE CAR FISH-TAILED AROUND. I CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRICADE AND ENDING UP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC -- WHICH COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND THE DRIVER OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE, WHO ALSO ENDED UP CRASHING. WEATHER / VISIBILITY AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY, AND THERE WERE NO APPARENT O STRUCTIONS IN THE ROADWAY. AFTER THE CRASH, THE WHEELS MOVED NORMALLY AGAIN AND LOOKED UNAFFECTED.
Mileage: 54,783
"AIRBAG" INDICATOR CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AND DIDN'T GO OUT. HAS BEEN ON FOR 3 MONTHS. THIS 2006 ACCENT THAT HAS THROWN THE B1448 CODE (OC SENSOR MAT DEFECT). A RECALL FOR THE HYUNDAI SONATA (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000) WHICH USES THE SAME COMPONENTS IN IT'S AIRBAG SENSORY SYSTEM HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SAME CODE. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR THE ACCENT ON THIS SITE AND ARFC.ORG. REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR RANGE FROM $800 - $1100. NOT ISSUING A RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES USING THE SAME FAULTY COMPONENTS AS THE RECALLED SONATA IS COMPLETELY IMMORAL. RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.
Mileage: 66,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Mileage: 41,000
I WAS TAKING OFF THE SEAT BELT AND THE STRAP BENT SLIGHTLY WHILE RETRACTING. ONCE RETRACTED, I TRIED TO PULL IT OUT AGAIN BUT HAD TO USE MORE THAN NORMAL AS IT DID NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. NOW THE BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AT ALL.
Mileage: 84,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE RPMS SURGED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Mileage: 82,000
THE POWER LOCKS STOP WORKING WHEN THE CAR IS IN THE OFF POSITION, WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON, IT START WORKING THE FUEL GAUGE GO UP AND DOWN FAST AND THE GO UP AGAIN AND STAY, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK SOME TIMES, AT THE SAME TIME IN THE PANEL, THE BRAKE, TRUNK AND DOORS LIGHTS START FLASHING, THE CLOCK ON THE DASH VANISHES WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AND THEN COMEBACK, I DO THAT FOR THE WHOLE TRIP, JUST WORRY THAT THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE...UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF
Mileage: 96,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE BATTERY FROM DRAINING, THE FUSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD TO BE REMOVED. WHEN THE FUSE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS REMOVED, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,500.
Mileage: 157,500
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.