HYUNDAI TUCSON · model year

2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON

273 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005HYUNDAITUCSON carries 273 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 5 fires, 22 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 TUCSON is electrical system with 25 filings, followed by air bags (22) and engine (18). 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 8 active recall campaigns, 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 TUCSON, 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.

273
Complaints
16
Crashes
5
Fires
22
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

273 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25
AIR BAGS22
ENGINE18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14
SUSPENSION13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
STRUCTURE9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8
POWER TRAIN8
STEERING7
STRUCTURE:BODY7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6

Recalls (8)

05V34200027/07/2005

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 AFTER IT HAS BEEN ENGAGE

05V17700027/04/2005

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 INAPPROPRIATELY.

05V11900025/03/2005

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 INAPPROPRIATELY.

06V44500022/11/2006

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 BAG MAY RESULT IN AN

09V28000021/07/2009

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 BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEAS

09V12200015/04/2009

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 LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUM

07V19700008/05/2007

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.

05V31500007/07/2005

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 TO RELEASE AFTER IT

Recent Complaints

20231103FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

Caught on fire. Started under passager floor board. Burnt completely up

20230814AIR BAGS

I acquired my vehicle as a used car. Although, to my knowledge my vehicle air bags have not deployed, the air bag light is illuminated on my dash panel and this issue is preventing me from obtaining an updated vehicle registration in my state of residence (Delaware). Since the year make and model are listed under the "recall" section of the NHTSA website, specifically for an airbag issue, I am requesting information regarding what nest-steps I nay take to have this problem repaired by Hyundai without any cost to me.

20230814UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I acquired my vehicle as a used car. Although, to my knowledge my vehicle air bags have not deployed, the air bag light is illuminated on my dash panel and this issue is preventing me from obtaining an updated vehicle registration in my state of residence (Delaware). Since the year make and model are listed under the "recall" section of the NHTSA website, specifically for an airbag issue, I am requesting information regarding what nest-steps I nay take to have this problem repaired by Hyundai without any cost to me.

20230719AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front passenger side air bag wiring harness; however, the part was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 75,880.

Mileage: 75,880

20230201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This car accelerates while unattended. Most likely due to an ECM malfunction and unable to properly respond/send signals to the motor. On 4 occasions, the car has accelerated, even if in park. It will go 25mph on its own and to stop I had to put it in neutral. I’ve seen that my car isn’t the only one experiencing this. Considering it’s an ECM issue there should be a recall because that is not a part you change during the life of a car.

20230201ENGINE

This car accelerates while unattended. Most likely due to an ECM malfunction and unable to properly respond/send signals to the motor. On 4 occasions, the car has accelerated, even if in park. It will go 25mph on its own and to stop I had to put it in neutral. I’ve seen that my car isn’t the only one experiencing this. Considering it’s an ECM issue there should be a recall because that is not a part you change during the life of a car.

20230113UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ESP off ligh comes on and off have to turn suv off to ture light off Had report it to nhtsa twice but no one replied 2/28/22 # 05V119000 2/14/22 #11454471

20230113ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ESP off ligh comes on and off have to turn suv off to ture light off Had report it to nhtsa twice but no one replied 2/28/22 # 05V119000 2/14/22 #11454471

20230113SUSPENSION

ESP off ligh comes on and off have to turn suv off to ture light off Had report it to nhtsa twice but no one replied 2/28/22 # 05V119000 2/14/22 #11454471

20221109ENGINE

The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the RPM failed to raise, and the vehicle failed to respond. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20221109POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving 65 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the RPM failed to raise, and the vehicle failed to respond. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20220617AIR BAGS

Air bag light on dashboard Esp light comes on and off

20220617UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Air bag light on dashboard Esp light comes on and off

20220228ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the warning light disappeared. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20220118EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Brake light no coming on when brake pedal is being push

20210508ENGINE

INITIAL ISSUES ON VEHICLE PRESENTED IN JANUARY 2021 WITH VARIOUS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODES INCLUDING P0133. ALTHOUGH VEHICLE PASSED EMISSIONS IN 2020, VARIOUS CHECK ENGINE CODES FOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSORS, MISFIRE FOR VARIOUS CYLINDERS. AFTER REPLACING INDICATED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSORS INDICATED VIA OBD II TOOL, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR (MORE THAN ONCE), BOTH FRONT CV BOOTS, HEAD GASKET SEALS FOR BOTH CYLINDER BANKS, MORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISSUES APPEAR ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY ANOTHER CYLINDER MISFIRE CHECK ENGINE CODE HAS APPEARED AFTER ALL SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH OEM RECOMMENDED BRAND REPLACEMENTS (NKG PRE-GAPPED SPARK PLUGS). THE MISFIRE CODE HAS CLEARED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT CHECK ENGINE CODE FROM THE OBD II TOOL IS ERROR CODE FOR DRIVE TRAIN DRIVEABILITY P0420 REGARDING CATALYST SYSTEM OPERATING BELOW THRESHOLD AT BANK 1. I HAVE UTILIZED LOCAL STORE CATALYTIC CLEANER LIQUIDS TO CLEAN THE SYSTEM, WHICH HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. A

Mileage: 218,900

20210508POWER TRAIN

INITIAL ISSUES ON VEHICLE PRESENTED IN JANUARY 2021 WITH VARIOUS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODES INCLUDING P0133. ALTHOUGH VEHICLE PASSED EMISSIONS IN 2020, VARIOUS CHECK ENGINE CODES FOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSORS, MISFIRE FOR VARIOUS CYLINDERS. AFTER REPLACING INDICATED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSORS INDICATED VIA OBD II TOOL, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR (MORE THAN ONCE), BOTH FRONT CV BOOTS, HEAD GASKET SEALS FOR BOTH CYLINDER BANKS, MORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISSUES APPEAR ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY ANOTHER CYLINDER MISFIRE CHECK ENGINE CODE HAS APPEARED AFTER ALL SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH OEM RECOMMENDED BRAND REPLACEMENTS (NKG PRE-GAPPED SPARK PLUGS). THE MISFIRE CODE HAS CLEARED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT CHECK ENGINE CODE FROM THE OBD II TOOL IS ERROR CODE FOR DRIVE TRAIN DRIVEABILITY P0420 REGARDING CATALYST SYSTEM OPERATING BELOW THRESHOLD AT BANK 1. I HAVE UTILIZED LOCAL STORE CATALYTIC CLEANER LIQUIDS TO CLEAN THE SYSTEM, WHICH HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. A

Mileage: 218,900

20210421ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NOX, PURGE VALVE, FUEL TRIM AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, TEN DAYS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. LAUREL HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 998 EISENHOWER BLVD, JOHNSTOWN, PA 15904 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Mileage: 123,000

20210416POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE WILL START MOVING IF ON AN INCLINE WHILE IN PARK. DEALER HAS ADJUSTED SHIFTER CABLE SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEPS RETURNING TO THE BEING ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR WHILE IN PARK CONDITION 9-12 MONTHS LATER. THEIR APPEARS TO BE NO FIX.

Mileage: 80,000

20210125AIR BAGS

DRIVER AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON WILL NOT TURN OFF HEAD LIGHT SLIVER MELTED

Compare 2005HYUNDAITUCSON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON have?
The 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON has 273 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 5 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON?
Yes, the 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is PARKING BRAKE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON?
The most-complained component for the 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 25 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE.
Is the 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.