2005 Hyundai Elantra Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 137 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,391miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of the 137 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,391 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Has an issue with the low beam light turning on only high beams work. Around 7:00 pm driving home lights just completely shut off on me down the freeway. Changed out the bulbs and again went out after 2 weeks around 6 traffic hour witch almost caused a collision when other driver merged into my lane due to no lights to show a vehicle was to his right. I have also seen its a huge issue with other Elantra owners the same years.”
NHTSA complaint #11290990, filed 2019-12, 110,391 miles“When I arrived home that night I thought I had left my lights on because my brake lights remained on. I checked my light switch and all my lights were off except for my brake lights. I looked up on the internet to see if there was any way to fix it and I found the recall on this particular item.”
NHTSA complaint #10609910, filed 2014-07, 85,600 miles“Headlight burnt out on 2005 Hyundai Elantra. Took it to get fixed at a car repair store. Car repair store said wiring was melted to headlight, he had never seen anything like this before and felt it was a fire hazard. We had to take it to the dealer to fix the headlight. Service department at the dealer personally told me that there were burnt ends of wiring on the headlight as well as exposed wires. They told us that it is due to normal wear and tear and we had to pay $136.05 to have it fixed. They replaced the bulb and new ends at the headlight connector. …”
NHTSA complaint #10363510, filed 2010-11, 107,000 miles“At inspection, mechanic noted severe and dangerous rust to subframe and subfloor in multiple areas of vehicle. Rear portion of subframe was almost completed rusted through. Additionally noted issues with rp brake light, plate light and fp turn signal. Ongoing issue with fusses and bulbs continually blowing/going out.”
NHTSA complaint #11331672, filed 2020-06, 139,000 miles“With the A/C on the headlights will dim briefly at different times just for a moment. A couple of times the have gone all the way out briefly. The lights will dim enough that people think I'm flashing my lights at them. This problem only occurs with the A/C on, the cause of the problem is when the A/C compressor cuts on it takes a lot of voltage to turn it on, and the headlights dim briefly. Depending on the weather this problem can happen every half mile. This problem has been on going. …”
NHTSA complaint #10166520, filed 2006-08Related recalls
- 09V280000Jul 21, 2009Hyundai is recalling 3,011 model year 2005-2007 elantra, tucson, sonata, azera and accent vehicles. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2005–2007, Tucson 2005–2007, Sonata 2005–2007 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 28 | 11% |
| 2019 | 65 | 26% |
| 2018 | 16 | 6% |
| 2017 | 23 | 3% |
| 2016 | 9 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 72 | 5% |
| 2012 | 17 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 24 | 8% |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% |
| 2006 | 38 | 25% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 13 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2005 Hyundai Elantra
71 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsEngine cooling
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 Nov 1, 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