2005 Hyundai TUCSON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
185 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
57,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 139 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 185 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 34 | 18.4% |
| Engine operation | 25 | 13.5% |
| Steering behavior | 18 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 9.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Air Bags | 22 |
| Engine | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Suspension | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 |
Electrical System: 25; Air Bags: 22; Engine: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling: 14; Suspension: 13; Unknown Or Other: 11; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 10; Exterior Lighting: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 38 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 20 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 38; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 17
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (38). 46 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
2005: 24; 2006: 18; 2007: 14; 2008: 8; 2009: 10; 2010: 8; 2011: 13; 2012: 13; 2013: 8; 2014: 8; 2015: 7; 2016: 4; 2017: 9; 2018: 11; 2019: 13; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 25 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10115312 · 2005-03-17 (March 17, 2005)
THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED THE ESP MODULE TWICE. THE BRAKES WERE AFFECTED BY THIS MODULE, WHICH CAUSED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO COME ON, MAKING THE VEHICLE SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME OUT THREE TIMES AND THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE THAT THEY PROVIDED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124746 · 2005-06-02 (June 2, 2005)
2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED WITHOUT THE CONSUMER TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE AND SLOW. (THIS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE) *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148615 · 2006-01-09 (January 9, 2006)
2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON HAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10213718 · 2008-01-04 (January 4, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN RESTARTED ITSELF IMMEDIATELY. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE AIR INTAKE HOSE WAS POSSIBLY CAUSING THE FAILURE. THEY REPLACED THE BAND CLAMPS. S…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126602 · 2005-06-26 (June 26, 2005)
THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AFTER A STOP FOR FUEL DURING A HIGHWAY TRIP. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE BEFORE WE STOPPED FOR FUEL. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE ROAD WE FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN EITHER A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. AFTER CHECKING ATM FLUID AND FINDING IT CORRECT WE TRIED AGAIN AND FOUND SAME PROBLEM. WE FINALLY FOUND THAT IF WE INCREASED ENGINER RPM TO APPROXIMAGE 3000 RPM THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BEGIN TO ENGAGE IN THIRD GEAR WITH SOME SLIPPAGE. THE SLIPPAGE CONTINUED UNTIL WE REACHED THE APPROXI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10126602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138057 · 2005-09-28 (September 28, 2005)
POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH SMALL POOLS OF WATER ON THE ROAD. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE ADVISORY PANEL ILLUMINATES THROUGHOUT THE FAILURE. AFTER PROGRESSING THROUGH THE WATER, POWER STEERING IS RESTORED. DURING A TURN, TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL IS POSSIBLE. LARGE LEVERAGE FORCES ARE REQUIRED TO HANDLE THE NON-ASSISTED STEERING DURING FAILURE. HYUNDAI DEALER MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THAT THIS IS A KNOW MODEL PROBLEM BUT NO REMEDY EXISTS AT THIS TIME. MAINTENANCE MANAGER SAYS HE HAS HAD SEVERAL TUCSON OWNERS REPORT THIS PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141075 · 2005-10-25 (October 25, 2005)
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE CONSUMER'S HYUNDAI TUCSON BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER STEERING. *TS THE PROBLEM OCCURED 4 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KNEW WHY THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURING BUT HAD NO WAY OF FIXING IT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10141075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10142462 · 2005-11-11 (November 11, 2005)
THE SECOND ISSUE WAS IN REGARDS TO WATER POURING THROUGH INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE FIRST HYUNDAI DEALER CLAIMED, AS THEY DID WITH THE AIRBAG, THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AFTER THEY CHECKED IT OUT. DESPITE HAVING WATER VISIBLE ON THE PASSENGER MAT. AFTER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, WHICH ONLY OCCURRED AFTER A LONG OR HEAVY PERIOD OF RAINFALL, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY CHECKED THE ISSUE AND SAID THAT THEY REPLACED SOME STRIPPING ON THE BODY. THE FIRST RAIN YIELDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114011 · 2005-03-13 (March 13, 2005)
WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE RAIN/SNOW FROM WASH, DC; NOTICE UNUSUAL LOUD WINDSHIELD WIPERS; SUDDENLY NOTICE THAT LEFT WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS WIPING OFF OF THE WINDOW AS IF WERE GOING TO FLY OFF..IT DISTRACTED ME TO POINT OF ALMOST HAVING A COLLISION; CALLED ALEXANDRIA HYUANDAI FROM MY JOB IN FREDERICK, MD AND WAS REFERRED TO IDEAL HYUANDAI WHERE THE SRV REP DIAGNOSED THE VRH AS HAVING A DEFECTIVE W/S TRANSMISSION...SAID IT WOULD TAKE SIX WKS, THEN TWO WKS O GET THE PART FOR THIS NEW SUV...I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE, AND WANT TO RETURN IT!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118359 · 2005-04-25 (April 25, 2005)
I BOUGHT HYUNDAI TUCSON 2005 (SUV, 2.0 GL, 4 CYLINDERS, SHIFTRONIC) ON 4/9/05. I TOOK THIS CAR BACK AND LEFT IT AT A DEALER ON 4/16/05 BECAUSE 1). THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. ). I DROVE THAT CAR TO LA. ON HWY 5 WITH THE SAME SPEED AS 80 MPH. AS THE OTHERS. WHEN I DROVE UP TO THE HILLS, THE SPEEDING WAS DROPPED TO 60 MPH. (20 MPH.DIFFERENCE) AND COULDN'T SPEED UP UNTIL DOWN FROM THE HILLS. I'VE TRIED TO CHANGE TO LOWER GEAR ... IT WAS STILL STRUGGLED. I GOT HONK AND ALMOST GOT HIT FROM THE CARS BEHIND. EVERYONE (SALES, FINANCIAL, SERVI…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789677 · 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)
LETTER TO NSTB AND MA ATTORNEY GENERAL, RE HYUNDAI UNDERBODY CORROSION ON 8/6/2015 I RECEIVED A HYUNDAI "SERVICE CAMPAIGN NOTIFICATION" ON MY 2005 TUCSON FOR "UNDER BODY CORROSION." I DID HAVE THE RECALL SERVICE COMPLETED. ('ARRESTS' IT, THEY CLAIM, BUT NOT REMOVES IT.) BY THAT DATE I HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED TWO FAILURES CAUSED BY THE CORROSION, BOTH OF WHICH I BELIEVE HAD HIGH POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS, EVEN FATAL ACCIDENTS. THE REPAIRS COST ALMOST $2,000, BUT THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE. I AM MORE CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES. …
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11143926 · 2018-10-29 (October 29, 2018)
ON MY 2005 HYUNDAI TUCSON GLS (94.5K MILES, SINGLE OWNER, GARAGE KEPT AND REGULARLY CAR WASHED), LOWER LEFT CONTROL ARM WAS SO RUSTED (HOLES) TO A POINT THAT IT CAN BE BENT WITH LITTLE PRESSURE WHEN PUSHED AGAINST HARDWARE SURFACE. MY YOUNG ADULT SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STARTED PULLING TO SIDE ON LOCAL STATE HIGHWAY. VERY VERY DANGEROUS!! THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN A MAJOR CRASH DUE TO THIS. THE LOWER RIGHT CONTROL WAS RUSTED AS WELL TO A POINT IT MAY NEED A REPLACEMENT IN NEXT YEAR OR TWO. REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JO…
Owner-reported narrative. 94,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143926 at NHTSA ↗