2005 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 165 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 26 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 27 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingJul 21, 2009
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.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
165 reports, newest first.
Structure, Jul 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO SUNTRUP HYUNDAI WENTZVILLE (971 WILMER RD, WENTZVILLE, MO 63385, (636) 887-8711) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,978.
Service brakes, Engine, Jul 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET IT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Engine, Jul 9, 2018
EVER TIME I PRESS THE BRAKES HARD THE ENGINE TURNS OF COMPLETELY
Structure, Jul 4, 2018
PURCHASED CAR JUNE 4, 2018. TOLD BY MECHANIC FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION.
Structure, Jun 13, 2018
WAS TRYING TO GET AC COMPRESSOR REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIRMAN, WHILE PERFORMING THE TASK, HE FOUND THE SUBFRAME SEVERELY CORRODED, ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE DUE TO SAFETY. CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY ADVISED TO TAKE CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE CAR. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD INSPECT AND TAKE PICTURES AND CONTACT THE CORPORATE OFFICE WITH INFO. HYUNDAI CORPORATE ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS UP, WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE 2001 THRU 2004 SONATA MODELS WERE RECALLED (09V12400, 04/16/2009, SUSPENSION) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, FRONT SUBFRAME CORROSION.
Air bags, Jun 9, 2018
HAVING A CONSTANT MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR AFTER HAVING REPAIR AT LEAST 2 TO 3 DIFFERENT TIME OF HAVING THE CAR. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STILL COMES ON .
Air bags, May 16, 2018
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THE MORE I LOOK AROUND I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. JUST THIS SITE ALONE HAD 50 COMPLAINTS ON THE AIRBAG ALONE.
Suspension, Apr 6, 2018
THE ENGINE CRADLE AND BOTH REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNTS ARE CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ITS DRIVER, OCCUPANTS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. IT WILL NOT PASS THE ANNUAL PENNSYLVANIA SAFETY INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME (THE OWNER) AT LEAST ONE LARGE HOLE IN THE CRADLE (SILVER-DOLLAR SIZED) AS WELL AS LONG THREE-FINGER WIDE HOLES IN THE UPPER REAR STRUT MOUNTS. (THIS IS SIMILAR TO A PROBLEM THAT I ENCOUNTERED IN 2010 IN MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA (REAR SUSPENSION ONLY IN THAT CAR), REPORTED TO THE NTHSB AND SUBSEQUENTLY RECTIFIED BY HYUNDAI USA.) MOREOVER, THIS IS SIMILAR TO PROBLEMS CITED IN ROBERT D'ELIA V. HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY AND HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA AND RECTIFIED IN A SUBSEQUENT SETTLEMENT AND RECALL. THIS CONCERNS A CAR WITH 100XXX MILES ON THE ODOMETER. CAR WAS UNDERCOATED BY DEALERSHIP AT POS. DRIVEN EXCLUSIVELY IN A SALT-BELT STATE. N.B. - THE 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA SUB-FRAME IS IDENTICAL TO THE 2002 - 2004 SUBFRAMES.
Suspension, Jan 11, 2018
I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC TO CHANGE OIL ON 1/9/2018 AND HE DISCOVERED A BIG HOLE (BIGGER THAN THE FIST-SIZE) ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE SUBFRAME UNDERNEATH THE CAR DUE TO RUSTING AND SEVERE CORROSION (PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PICTURE FOR MORE DETAILS). THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. HE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED ME TO GO TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THIS FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. RIGHT AFTER THAT, I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE A WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT UNDER RECALL BASED ON THE VIN, SO THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM THE DEALER AT HYUNDAI DAVIS IN NJ. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND 2 RECALLS ISSUED BY HYUNDAI FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE STARTED IN 2009 WITH THE NHTSA RECALL ID # 09V124000 (INCLUDING 1999-2004 HYUNDAI SONATA) AND ANOTHER ONE IN 2013 WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 13V354000 (INCLUDING 2006-2010 SONATA). HOWEVER, HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICES CAN'T PROVIDE ANY EXPLANATIONS WHY 2005 SONATA IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TWO RECALLS. ACCORDING TO THE NEWS ONLINE, 'THE RECALL, LIMITED TO AMERICA'S SO-CALLED "SALT BELT" STATES, IS CENTERED AROUND POTENTIALLY EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DUE TO WINTER ROAD SALT APPLICATIONS. IF UNNOTICED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY SEPARATE FROM ITS MOUNT.' 'ROAD SALT AND WATER CAN ENTER PORTIONS OF THE REAR CROSSMEMBER, LEADING TO CORROSION OF THE CROSSMEMBER STEEL. THIS MAY LEAD TO DETACHMENT OF ONE OF THE REAR CONTROL ARMS. CONTROL ARM SEPARATION MAY SUDDENLY CHANGE THE REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AFFECTING THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.' IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE THE CAR, HOWEVER, CURRENTLY, I STILL HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR ON HIGHWAY TO WORK ON A DAILY BASIS SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE.
Air bags, Jan 8, 2018
TAKATA INFLATOR MY CAR HAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON.
Structure, Dec 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED LESTER GLENN HYUNDAI AT 732-451-3016 AND WAS INFORMED OF THE COST FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT ABOUT A RECALL, BUT IT WAS NOT ON HIS SPECIFIC YEAR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *TT UPDATED 8/22/18*JB
Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPPEDS OR SWITCHING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLEN TURNER HYUNDAI (6000 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505 (850) 479-9667) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) ONLINE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCULED IN THE RECALL AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,050.
Structure, Aug 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A SQUEALING TYPE NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BECAME WORN. AFTER REPLACING THE FRONT TIRE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2017
TAKATA RECALL SUBFRAME IS ROTTED. MECHANIC ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE IT AS IT IS VERY UNSAFE. CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT
Structure, Jun 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE PROGRESSING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS PREMATURELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, WHICH EXCLUDED THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE SYMPTOMS WERE THE SAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT PROVIDED NO REMEDY TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OTHER THAN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Suspension, Jun 1, 2017
FRONT CRADLE RUST OUT UNSAFE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE 2004S WERE RECALLED BUT NOT THE 2005S.
Air bags, Service brakes, Mar 26, 2017, crash
BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING A BAD ACCIDENT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHOLE FRONT END SMASHED IN HOOD ALMOST IN THE WINDSHEILD.
Air bags, Mar 7, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Suspension, Feb 6, 2017
DIRECT REPLY - LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN INQUIRY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING HYUNDAI RECALL. *SMD 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A MAINTENANCE CHECK, THE MECHANIC FOUND THE SUB-FRAME UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE KNOWN AS THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS BADLY CORRODED TO THE EXTENT THAT SIGNIFICANT METAL IN THE SUB-FRAME WAS GONE; PERHAPS MORE THAN 50% GONE AT ON E LOCATION. APPARENTLY, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE CONSUMERS MODEL YEAR. HOWEVER, A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR OTHER YEARS. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 09V124000. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2017
COMPLAINT INVOLVES PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN TO AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT PLACES TO ATTEMPT GET THIS DIAGNOSED- THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON OVER 5 MONTHS. CAR HAS BEEN EXCELLENT UNTIL THE PAST FEW MONTHS. ENGINE IS FINE. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT WHEN YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE THERE IS SOME KIND OF SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE CAR TURNS OFF. NO WARMING. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT- AND THE PROBLEM HAPPENS THE CAR GOES COMPLETELY DARK. SOMETIMES YOU CAN SORT OF GLIDE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SOMETIMES THE SHORT HAPPENS AND THEN WHATEVER IS NOT WORKING WILL RECONNECT AND THE CAR WILL NOT TOTALLY SHUT OFF. IT IS VERY DISTURBING AND FRIGHTENING. SOMETIMES MY CAR COMPLETELY DIES IN TRAFFIC- IT MIGHT BE DEAD FOR 20 OR SO MINUTES AND THEN WILL ALL OF SUDDEN RESTART AND I CAN MAKE IT HOME. I HAVE BEEN TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC WHO HAS TAKEN CARE OF THIS CAR FOR YEARS HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT. TOOK TO A HYUNDAI GARAGE/ DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN THERE 3 TIMES- THEY ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THIS WEEK TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GARAGE THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THIS. I LOVE MY CAR BUT FEEL VERY UNSAFE. I NO LONGER DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE BECAUSE I FEEL SO UNSAFE. IF THERE IS ANY HELP OR DIRECTION YOU CAN GIVE TO HELP DIAGNOSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN SONATAS IT WOULD BE WELCOME. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR HE PAST 4 MONTHS- SOMETIMES MY CAR DIES 7 TO 8 TIMES A DAY- SOMETIMES IT RUNS PERFECTLY. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 29, 2017
AIR BAG DASH LIGHT IS ON FOR SEEMINGLY NO REASON. IT USED TO BE INTERMITTENT, BUT IT EVENTUALLY STAYED ON. MECHANICS AND HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HAVE NO ANSWERS. IT COMES ON AS SOON AS I START THE CAR AND DOESN'T TURN OFF UNTIL THE CAR IS OFF. I WAS TOLD MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. HOW DELIGHTFUL. *TR
Suspension, Jan 11, 2017
LETTER FROM SENATOR PORTMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, HIS DAUGHTER NOTICED SOME UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS AND NOISE WHILE DRIVING. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE SUB-FRAME UNDER THE FRONT END ALSO CALLED THE CRADLE, WAS BADLY CORRODED TO THE EXTENT THAT SIGNIFICANT METAL IN THE SUB-FRAME WAS GONE;PERHAPS MORE THAN 50% GONE AT ONE LOCATION. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE VERY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT DIDN'T APPLY TO THE 2005 MODEL. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR, STATING THE MODEL WAS NOT COVERED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 09V124000. *JB
Structure, Jan 11, 2017
THE SUB FRAME IN THE FRONT RUSTED OUT JUST LIKE THE SALT BELT 1999-2004 THE CAR HAS ONLY TWO SPOTS OF RUST AT THE BACK FENDER. NO OTHER RUST I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE STATION BECAUSE IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT HE LIFTED THE CAR AND THE SUB FRAME IS ROTTED OUT JUST LIKE THEY DID ON THE 1999-2004 BUT HYUNDAI WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE ITS A 2005 I THINK THE PART IS THE SAME AS THE 2004 AND THEY CANT TELL ME THAT AND WONT HELP ME.
Suspension, Power train, Dec 2, 2016
BROUGHT TO GET OIL CHANGED, MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE ENGINE CARRIER WAS ABOUT TO FAIL. IT IS ALMOST RUSTED THRU 2004 HA RECALL BUT NOT 2005 ALSO WHEN IN PARK CAR ROLLS
Air bags, Oct 14, 2016, crash
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FENDER BENDER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND RELEASED A LOT OF TINY METAL CRYSTALS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.