NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Hyundai Tucson Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 Hyundai Tucson has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 185 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Hyundai Tucson, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2005 Hyundai Tucson owner complaints

Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Hyundai Tucson, describing incidents dated November 8, 2004 to November 3, 2023.

Most-cited components

Engine 38 complaints
Air Bags 31 complaints
Electrical System 30 complaints
Structure 20 complaints
Power Train 16 complaints
Service Brakes 15 complaints

Of the 185 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 185 complaints, owners report 18 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11553467 · Filed November 3, 2023
Caught on fire. Started under passager floor board. Burnt completely up
ODI #11538428 · Filed August 14, 2023
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…
ODI #11533224 · Filed July 19, 2023
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…

Read all 185 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Hyundai Tucson mileage at failure

137 of the 185 complaints on file for the 2005 Hyundai Tucson give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 50,000 miles	Middle half 25,000–100,000 miles	Based on 30 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Hyundai Tucson in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE09-003: STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
Closed April 24, 2009
- Recall 09V-122

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

STOP LAMP SWITCH

NHTSA #09V280000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported July 21, 2009 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO

Potentially affected: 3,011 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 91B026 · Owners notified September 2, 2009 · Vehicles built April 4, 2005 – October 20, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Safety consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-787-999-4310.

Notes

HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO RECALL NO.91B026.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #09V122000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 15, 2009 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 532,633 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 092 · Owners notified June 29, 2009 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – April 30, 2007 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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 ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Safety consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 092.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 208/DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE REPLACEMENT

NHTSA #07V197000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 8, 2007 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO

Potentially affected: 2,967 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 079 · Owners notified September 6, 2007 · Vehicles built July 30, 2004 – November 1, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE WITH ONE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN OF COMPLIANCE FOR LOW RISK DEPLOYMENT FOR SMALL STATURE ADULTS WHO ARE NOT PROPERLY WEARING THE SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2007, AND WILL BE PERFORMED IN TWO MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 079.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FMVSS 208/AIR BAG SYSTEM

NHTSA #06V445000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported November 22, 2006 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 128,300 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 079 · Owners notified January 29, 2007 · Vehicles built July 30, 2004 – November 1, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 INSUFFICIENT MARGIN OF COMPLIANCE AS MEASURED BY THE TEST DUMMY USED IN THE NHTSA TEST.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED THROUGH SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 079.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

PARKING BRAKE LEVER

NHTSA #05V342000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported July 27, 2005 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO

Potentially affected: 330 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 071 · Owners notified September 12, 2005 · Vehicles built March 29, 2005 – May 20, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 ENGAGED.

Safety consequence

THE INABILITY TO ENGAGE OR THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER, MAY ALLOW YOUR VEHICLE TO ROLL WHILE IT IS PARKED AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

Notes

HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO RECALL NO 071.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

PARKING BRAKE RATCHET PAWLS

NHTSA #05V315000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2005 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 6,146 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 071 · Owners notified July 29, 2005 · Vehicles built March 29, 2005 – May 20, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 HAS BEEN ENGAGED.

Safety consequence

THE INABILITY TO ENGAGE, OR THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER MAY ALLOW YOUR VEHICLE TO ROLL WHILE IT IS PARKED AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 071.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL/YAW RATE SENSOR

NHTSA #05V177000 · Electronic Stability Control — Automatic (ASC) · NHTSA notice

Reported April 27, 2005 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO

Potentially affected: 349 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 068 · Vehicles built July 30, 2004 – February 27, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BY INADVERTENT ESP ACTIVATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ESP HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 068.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL/YAW RATE SENSOR

NHTSA #05V119000 · Electronic Stability Control — Automatic (ASC) · NHTSA notice

Reported March 25, 2005 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 30,558 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 068 · Owners notified April 13, 2005 · Vehicles built July 30, 2004 – February 27, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Safety consequence

BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BY INADVERTENT ESP ACTIVATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ESP HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 068.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 Hyundai Tucson 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

185 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Hyundai Tucson.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11553467

Fire

Incident: November 3, 2023 · Filed: November 3, 2023

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

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11538428

Incident: March 10, 2022 · Filed: August 14, 2023

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11533224

Incident: June 28, 2023 · Filed: July 19, 2023

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.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11505063

Incident: January 31, 2023 · Filed: February 1, 2023

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.

Suspension; Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11501574

Incident: February 14, 2022 · Filed: January 13, 2023

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

Engine; Power Train

ODI #11492859

Incident: October 25, 2022 · Filed: November 9, 2022

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.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11469714

Incident: June 9, 2022 · Filed: June 17, 2022

Air bag light on dashboard Esp light comes on and off

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11454471

Incident: February 14, 2022 · Filed: February 28, 2022

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.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11447820

Incident: January 16, 2022 · Filed: January 18, 2022

Brake light no coming on when brake pedal is being push

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11415689

Incident: May 8, 2021 · Filed: May 8, 2021

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. ADDITIONALLY, BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2021, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST LOCAL DEALSHIP FOR A LARGE MAJORITY OF THESE REPAIRS INCLUDING A $150 DEALERSHIP FEE JUST TO HAVE THESE CODES REVIEWED AND ADDITIONAL FEES FOR THE LABOR TO ADDRESS FOR EACH ISSUE FOR EACH REPAIR.

Other Hyundai Tucson model years

Check your 2005 Hyundai Tucson VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Tucson at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Hyundai VIN