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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 4, 2010
LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS BLOW OUT APPROX. EVERY 3 TO 4 MONTHS. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE ANY REASON FOR THIS. AUTO PARTS PERSONNEL STATE THAT HEADLAMPS SHOULD LAST FOR YEARS. LAMPS IN THE 2005 SONATA HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES PER YEAR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING HEADLAMP FAILURES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 SONATA. REPLACEMENT LAMPS ARE VERY WEAK UNLESS SYLVANIA SILVERSTAR ULTRA NIGHT VISION LAMPS ARE USED, BUT THEY ARE ABOUT $50 FOR A PACK OF TWO. THAT IS AT LEAST $150 TO $200 PER YEAR FOR LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS. DOES ANYONE HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN JUNE 2005. *TR
Air bags, May 21, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THREE INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE DRIVER AND TWO REAR PASSENGERS WERE REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING COMPANY LOT. HYUNDAI INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAGS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000.
Air bags, May 10, 2010
OUR SRS AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON TIME AFTER TIME. WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TURN IT OFF, IN A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WILL COME BACK. WE'VE BEEN TOLD WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. IT COMES ON AT TIMES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IS THIS COMMON ON HYUNDAI'S? *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 4, 2010
MY 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS VERY WEAK LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN BRAND NEW. *TR
Air bags, Feb 11, 2010
FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON IN THE CLUSTER PANEL. LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER CANNOT TELL ME IF THE AIRBAG IS OPERABLE. I'M SHOCKED AT THE NUMBER OF AIRBAG COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THIS SITE FOR THE 05 SONATA AND THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY. I HAVE RECORDS INDICATING LOOSE CLIPS, DEFECTIVE MODULE REPLACED, ETC. ON SERVICE FOR AIR BAG LIGHT. *TR
Structure, Oct 23, 2009
THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE HAS A CHROME COVER ON IT, THAT AT ONE POINT WAS GLUED TIGHT TO THE HANDLE, BUT NOW DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, THE EDGE OF THE PLASTIC CHROME PIECE IS EXPOSED AND IT YOUR NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND SLIDE YOUR HAND ACROSS IT WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT CAN RESULT IN A CUT.GASH IN SOMEONE'S HAND. (INJURY) I HAVE GOTTEN A FEW CUTS, NOTHING SERIOUS, BUT IF SOMEONE REALLY WAS IN A RUSH, IT COULD BE QUITE A DEEP CUT/GASH IN YOUR HAND. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 21, 2009
1)NO CHANGES OR EVENTS THAT LEAD TO THIS CONCERN. 2)HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT. IT USUALLY STARTS WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEN ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS EVERY MONTH IF NOT MORE. 3)THESE BULBS ARE PURCHASED BRAND NEW. DEALER STATES NO RECALL. I REPLACED THE BLOWN PASSENGER BULB ON A TUESDAY, IT BLEW OUT TWO DAYS LATER AND THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE BLEW OUT; WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD TRIP LATE AT NIGHT! NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED. SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME OCCURRENCES. *TR
Structure, Jul 14, 2009
PAINT IS PEELING FROM EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES OF MY 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 11, 2009
2005 HYUNDAI SONATA - 20,700 MILES FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO SEVERE BRAKE RUST. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 11, 2009
WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE CRUISE WILL NOT WORK. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DONT GO OFF. *TR
Air bags, Jan 23, 2009
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. TOOK IT TO AN AIRBAG SPECIALIST AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SENSOR IS BAD AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1,600. I CANNOT GET AN ANSWER FROM HYUNDAI AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR IS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Aug 11, 2008, crash
THE 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY AND RECALLED, CLOSE TO THE 2006 RECALLS. WE OWN A COMPANY AND HAVE PURCHASED OVER 12 TO 14 HYUNDAIS. WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE SONATA GLS 2005 HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, SEATBELT RESTRAINT, THE FRONT TIRES ARE CLOSER TO THE BACK & NOT CENTERED ON THE WHEEL WELL (HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE PURCHASED, BUT THEY DO NOT CORRECT.), HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS & THAT UNIBODY TYPE FRAME & SO ON. IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE A TRUCK LEFT THE TAIL GATE DOWN & A LADDER HIT THE WINDSHIELD, THE CAR WAS THEN PARKED, TURNED OFF , THE KEYS TAKING OUT OF THE IGNITION & THEN BEGAN LOOKING FOR THE CELL PHONE THEN PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET OUT INFER ALL THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TO LOCK UP & CAN NOT BE PULLED OUT TO WEAR. HYUNDAI STATES THAT THIS IS NOT WARRANTED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DEPLOYED AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. HYUNDAI HAD A GREAT WARRANTY 10 YEARS AGO. THEY DO NOT STAND UP TO THEIR WARRANTY AS BEFORE & I HAVE FOUND THAT SOME OF THE WARRANTY HAS CHANGED. I HAVE SWITCHED TO TOYOTA. HYUNDAI HAS DONE NOTHING SO FAR TO CORRECT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 25, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS REPEATEDLY EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ON NINE OCCASIONS, SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY NUMEROUS DEALERS, BUT NONE OF THE TECHNICIANS COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 21, 2008
AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES, THE REAR BRAKE DISINTEGRATED DUE TO DRAGGING AND I WAS INFORMED IT WAS MY DRIVING. ONLY ONE REAR BRAKE MALFUNCTIONED IN THIS WAY, HOWEVER ALL ROTORS HAD TO BE "TURNED DOWN" AND NEW BRAKES WERE INSTALLED ALL AROUND EVEN THOUGH ALL OTHER 3 PADS WERE LIKE NEW. AT 72,000 THE FRONT BRAKE DID THE EXACT SAME THING AND THE REAR BRAKE WAS CLOSE TO BEING DETRIMENTAL TO THE ROTOR. THE FRONT ROTORS COULD NOT BE "TURNED-DOWN" AGAIN, SO NEW ROTORS WERE APPLIED. THIS PARTICULAR MECHANIC, AT A WELL KNOW FACILITY INFORMED ME THAT HYUNDAI'S ARE NOTORIOUS FOR WEARING OUT BRAKES AND THEY SEE THIS CONTINUED PROBLEM. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE HYUNDAI DEALER IS QUITE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM NOW ON A "WATCH" AT THIS MECHANIC'S SHOP TO KEEP FROM HAVING YET ANOTHER BRAKE ISSUE. SOMETHING CAUSES THE BRAKES TO DRAG AND WEAR QUICKLY AND NOT ALWAYS THE SAME BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDDLE, AFTER THE FIRST HYUNDAI SERVICE, WENT TO FLOOR AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SONATA IS DESIGNED FOR THE "OLDER" CUSTOMER WHOSE REACTION TIME IS SLOWER AND MORE UNSTEADY, THEREFORE THE BRAKING IS LONGER AND SOFTER. AFTER THE NEW MECHANIC ADJUSTED EVERYTHING, MY BRAKES ARE NORMAL. *TR
Air bags, Feb 3, 2008, crash
ON DECEMBER 17, 2007 AT APPROX 5:30PM MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WEST ON OSUNA AT INTERSECTION OF SEAGUILL , DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH, 35 BEING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. AS SHE PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT, A LATE MODEL FORD RANGER TRIED TO GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION CROSSING HER PATH. AS SHE ADVANCED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION SHE STRUCK THE FORD RANGER BROAD SIDE. FORTUNATELY FOR MY DAUGHTER SHE HAD HER SEAT BELT ON, BECAUSE THE 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE HYUNDAI 'S AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING BECAUSE THE IMPACT WAS STRAIGHT AHEAD HIT, UNLESS THE HYUNDAI 'S AIR BAG WERE DEFECTIVE. MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT HURT BAD, ALTHOUGH SHE HAS BEEN HAVING NECK & BACK PAIN AND IS UNDER A DOCTOR'S SUPERVISION. I HAVE WRITTEN TO HYUNDAI., TO THIS DATE THEY HAVE BEEN VERY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THERE COULD BE A DEFECT IN HYUNDAI'S AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM. NEXT TIME THEY MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ALBUQUERQUE NM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 18, 2008
2005 HYUNDAI SONATA, ENGINE IN THIS CAR WAS MEANT TO BE IN THE ELANTRA WHICH IS A MUCH SMALLER AND LIGHTER CAR, BUT WHEN PUT 4 CYLINDER ENGINE IN A SONATA WHICH IS A HEAVER AND LARGER CAR, EVEN THOUGH ENGINE OPERATES TO THE SPEC, OTHER PROBLEMS ARE EVIDENT WHICH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO TELL THE CONSUMER, NOW THIS CAR IDLES SO BAD IT IS WORSE THAN A TRUCK WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE AND STOPPED AT LIGHT ETC. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2007
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX IT THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 12 THOUSAND MILES. THE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON FOR OVER 10 MONTHS. THE CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 22 THOUSAND MILES AND THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF TWICE IN THE LAST MONTH. THE LAST TIME WAS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR TWO WEEKS AND NOW ITS BACK ON. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND THE LIGHT ONLY STAYED OFF FOR TWO WEEKS! THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO DRAG WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
Seats, Nov 29, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT WAS REAR ENDED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT RECLINED BACKWARDS TO ITS FINAL POSITION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 24, 2007
HEAD LAMPS AND FOG LAMPS BURN OUT ALL AT THE SAME TIME, POSSIBLE SHORT IN WIRING. *JB
Steering, Sep 24, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
Structure, Aug 22, 2007
I PURCHASED A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA NEW ON 2/18/05 AND THE DEALER, PARR HYUNDAI IN BREMERTON INSTALLED A PLASTIC HOOD DEFLECTOR. IN THE SPRING OF 2007, I REPORTED THAT THE DEFLECTOR WAS VIBRATING AND THE DEALER CHECKED IT OUT. SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IN JULY 2007, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I 5 FROM OLYMPIA TO TACOMA, WA., THE DEFLECTOR SUDDENLY FLEW OFF. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS DARK AND I DID NOT SEE WHERE IT WENT. LUCKILY, IT DID NOT HIT ANYONE. HAD THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ANY VEHICLE FOLLOWING OR PERHAPS KILLED SOMEONE. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY CLAIMED A ROCK HIT MY CAR. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE. THE VIBRATIONS WERE GETTING WORSE AND I HAD DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THE DEFLECTOR REMOVED. I WAITED TOO LONG, HOWEVER, AND THE DEFLECTOR FLEW OFF. THE DEFECTOR PART NUMBER IS 00239-F2000. MY CONCERN IS NOT FINANCIAL, SINCE MY LOSS WAS ONLY $66.13. WHAT DOES CONCERN ME IS THAT FUTURE FAILURES OF THE DEFLECTORS COULD CAUSE GREAT BODILY HARM AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE AUTO DEALER DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED. *TR
Wheels, Aug 22, 2007
I PURCHASED A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA NEW ON 2/18/05 AND THE DEALER, PAAR HYUNDAI IN BREMERTON. ON AUGUST 16, 2007, I HAD MY CAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERS LOCATION IN BREMERTON. THEY SUGGESTED I PURCHASE NEW TIRES. I HAVE 46,000+ MILES ON THE CAR. I HAD A LOCAL TIRE DEALERSHIP, LES SCHWAB IN POULSBO, PUT NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. IN DOING SO, THREE OF THE SMALL HUBCAPS WERE DAMAGED. DESPITE BEING CAREFUL IN REINSTALLING THE HUBCAPS, SEVERAL OF THE PLASTIC RETAINERS BROKE OFF. LES SCHWAB WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGE, CLAIMING THAT THIS OFTEN HAPPENS WITH CERTAIN HYUNDAI AND NISSAN HUBCAPS. THE HYUNDAI DEALER WILL NOT PAY EITHER AND CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. THIS IS DOUBTFUL. I RETAINED THE HUBCAPS. THE PLASTIC TABS THAT HOLD THE HUBCAPS ARE VERY WEEK, I CAN EASILY BREAK THEM OFF, AND THEY SHOW SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR AND FATIGUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE HUBCAPS ARE MANUFACTURED USING VERY POOR MATERIALS AND COULD COME LOOSE. EVEN THOUGH FAIRLY SMALL, A HUB CAP FLYING OFF A CAR AT 60-70 MILES PER HOUR COULD EASILY SMASH A WINDSHIELD OR KNOCK A CYCLIST OFF HIS/HER MOTOR CYCLE. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jul 31, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER ENTERS INTO THE VEHICLE AND COLLECTS ON THE STEP PLATES. AS A RESULT, THE SCREWS HAVE RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT HAS REMOVED FROM HER VEHICLE IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COVER HAS DETACHED AND HER DOOR IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL FAILURE. IF SOMEONE WERE TO LEAN AGAINST THE DOOR, ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER HAD TO CHANGE THE SWITCH INSIDE THE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD SMASHES THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALSO CONTAINS A GAP. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START INTERMITTENTLY AND THE TURN SIGNALS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATE DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY ALL OF THE FAILURES ARE OCCURRING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED NO ONE IS ABLE TO INFORM HER ABOUT THE DEFECT DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE BEING IN HURRICANE KATRINA. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
Air bags, May 8, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE FRONT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN 180 DEGREES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND ARE UNDER A DOCTOR'S CARE. THE POLICE REPORT NUMBER IS 07-04457. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
Vehicle speed control, May 8, 2007
VERY ROUGH ACCELLERATION. *AK