Most common 2005 Hyundai Tucson problems
Share of the 185 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Tucson complaints by model year
Best Tucson years: 2011. Years to avoid: 2025, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023. Compare all years →
2005 Hyundai Tucson recalls (8)
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 released.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 insufficient margin of…
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.
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 engaged.
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.
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 has been engaged.
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.
Show 2 more recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2005 Hyundai Tucson:
Stop lamp switch failure
By letter dated April 15, 2009, Hyundai notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 09V122) to replace the stop lamp switches on many of its model year 2005-2008 vehicles.see recall 09V122 for a complete list. The agency opened its investigation based on five complaints of stop lamp failure across several 2007 Hyundai models.
What 2005 Hyundai Tucson owners say
Engine & cooling all 38 →
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.
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.
Air bags all 31 →
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.
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.
Electrical system all 30 →
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.
"Takata recall" on April 8th approximately 6 o'clock in the morning I was awaken out of my sleep to my car on fire in my yard. I called the firefighter department they came out and said it was from bad electrical wires. My car was in my front yard...I last drove it that night to pizza hut
2005 Hyundai Tucson engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Hyundai Tucson a good car?
Based on 185 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Tucson rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Tucson at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Hyundai Tucson?
The engine & cooling — 38 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the air bags (31) and electrical system (30).
How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Tucson have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2005 Hyundai Tucson, the most recent from July 21, 2009 (exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Tucson?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2023. See the full Hyundai Tucson years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Hyundai Tucson problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 57,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.