2005 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 71about this part
- Share
- 52%of 137 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 71 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, 52% of the 137 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,500 miles. 23 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just purchased this vehicle used and the air bag dashboard light went on. The dealer charged me $140 to diagnose informing me that the seat sensors need replacement adding that the entire seat assembly may need to be replaced. I feel this is a failure of Hyundai's research and development plus quality control of a major safety system device. Its replacement should be free based on this. As a note the light comes on immediately at start and while driving, stays on constantly”
NHTSA complaint #11122043, filed 2018-08, 80,000 miles“My 05 Hyundai Elantra was involved in a hit and run on the freeway spinning me out of control. I totaled the car and my airbag did not deploy. The person who cause the accident fled the scene. I hit another vehicle and caused front end damage to hers before slamming in the rail. Neither of us broke any bones. As hard as I hit and from all around the car at some point my airbag should have gone off.”
NHTSA complaint #10361474, filed 2010-10, 8,600 miles“My 2005 Hyundai Elantra hydroplanes even at low speeds and skids very easily on slightly wet pavement. My daughter has complained about this to me many times. Tonight she hydroplaned and went into a wooden pole. She wasn't injured and the airbag did not deploy; however, the front fender was damaged. I am going to have it fixed then see about getting rid of the car. It does not seem to be safe.”
NHTSA complaint #10191826, filed 2007-05, 20,600 miles“On december 10, 2011, I was turning from northbound gary av. Onto eastbound lawrence ave. At approximately 5 MPH. While I was turning my accelerator stuck the engine sped out of control to at least 40 MPH. I swerved to avoid hitting a truck turning onto gary and my car went over the south curb.. And my attempts to break were failing all this time... I crashed through a fence into somebody's back yard went down hill about 50 feet and ran into a tree. I then turned off the ignition. The airbag did not deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10444885, filed 2012-01, 60,000 miles“The passenger side airbag off indicator light comes on sporadically in our new 2005 Hyundai Elantra when people are sitting in the seat. My wife weighs in excess on 190 pounds and the light came on at least 5 times during a trip of 124 miles in early march and has come on once or twice during trips of 26 miles to the grocery store. We tooke the car to the dealer and they did not do anything since they could not duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10114829, filed 2005-03, 354 milesRelated recalls
- 05V479000Oct 17, 2005Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2004–2005
- 05V395000Sep 12, 2005Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2004–2005
Related service bulletins
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by…
- 10019353Mar 10, 2006Airbag reprogramming guide.
- 10019171May 1, 2005Occupant classification system (ocs) reprogramming. Fix-it-right. Hyundai technet times.
- 10015826Apr 1, 2005The occupant classification system (ocs) passenger air bag off indicator light may not turn off or may switch on and off when some smaller stature adults are seated in the right…
- 10015329Feb 1, 2005Air bag control unit (acu) reprogramming procedure (service campaign 919).
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 14% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 6 | 6% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 32 | 4% |
| 2016 | 26 | 9% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 | 168 | 13% |
| 2012 | 124 | 19% |
| 2011 | 77 | 18% |
| 2010 | 46 | 12% |
| 2009 | 42 | 17% |
| 2008 | 38 | 12% |
| 2007 | 46 | 17% |
| 2006 | 56 | 36% |
| 2005 | 71 | 52% |
| 2004 | 114 | 63% |
| 2003 | 48 | 21% |
| 2002 | 70 | 20% |
| 2001 | 118 | 37% |
| 2000 | 39 | 20% |
| 1999 | 20 | 16% |
| 1998 | 7 | 13% |
| 1997 | 21 | 18% |
| 1996 | 14 | 14% |
| 1995 | 35 | 31% |
| 1994 | 31 | 41% |
Other parts of the 2005 Hyundai Elantra
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology