2005 Hyundai Accent recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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 ELECTRO…
What could happen: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09V280000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-787-999-4310.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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.
Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
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> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2005 Hyundai Accent owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Lights (15), Transmission / drivetrain (13), Brakes (11), Airbags (8), Electrical system (7).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/15/2022 · Latches / locks
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the doors could no longer be opened from inside the vehicle. The contact had to roll down the windows in order to let herself out of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not d…
05/27/2021 · Lights
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, a vehicle nearby informed the contact that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side brake lights were inoperable. The contact continued driving to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and replaced the re…
09/16/2019 · Steering
FOR SOME REASON MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES IT DOES IT THEN IT STOPS AND ACTS NORMAL THEN IT DOES IT AGAIN MEANWHILE IM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STERRING WHEEL I HAD IT CHECKED A COUPLE TIMES AND EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE IT HAS FLUIDS BUT IT GETS STUCK WHILE IM DRIVING AND NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IT GETS LOCKED WHIL…
09/16/2019 · Steering · crash
TAKATA RECALL.. FOR SOME REASON MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES EVERYTIME THAT HAPPENS MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON ME IVE HAD TO CHANGE MY DISK AND CALIBER ON MY CAR IN ONLY A WEEK 3 TIMES BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON ITS BEEN SCRATCHING MY BRAKES AND ROTORS AND IT MESSED UP A BRAND NEW ROTORS AND CALIBER MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WEEK…
04/29/2019 · Electrical system
RECEIVE AN RECALL ON MY VEHICLE CONCERNING BRAKES LIGHTS, BUT I BOUGHT THE CAR ON THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2007 AND THE DEALER NO LONGER EXIST. WHAT CAN I DO IN SUCH A CASE TO CORRECT THE DEFAULT.
10/05/2017 · Transmission / drivetrain
VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. 30 MINUTES AND $80.00 LATER THE PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED. HYUNDAI HAS HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS OF THEIR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES, BUT EACH TIME THE APPLY THE RECALL TO A VERY NARROW SELECTION OF MODELS,…
07/06/2017 · Wheels / tires
RIM OF AT LEAST ONE TIRE HAS DISINTEGRATED TO THE POINT OF A HOLE THAT LETS THE AIR OUT OF THE TIRE. A THROUGH HOLE IN THE BODY OF THE RIM.
05/07/2017 · Wheels / tires · crash
I WAS TRAVELING (AND LIKELY SLIGHTLY BRAKING) ON A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEIZED UP, AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN AND DASH STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THE CAR FISH-TAILED AROUND. I CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRICADE AND ENDING UP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC -- WHICH COULD HAVE KILLED ME A…