2005 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
15/100
#18 most-complained of 21 Sonata years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Hyundai Sonata has 165 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 15 out of 100 — #18 highest of 21 Sonata model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is airbags (55 complaints, 33% of the total). Complaints report 26 crashes, 2 fires, and 27 injuries.
- Complaints
- 165
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 26 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2005 Hyundai Sonata problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags55 (33%)
- Structure & Body32 (19%)
- Electrical System31 (19%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (17%)
- Engine16 (10%)
- Brakes12 (7%)
- Other8 (5%)
- Steering6 (4%)
- Fuel System5 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (3%)
2005 Hyundai Sonata recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V280000Jul 21, 2009Electrical System3,011 vehicles
Exterior lighting
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.
Risk: 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.
2005 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Hyundai Sonata a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Hyundai Sonata ranks #18 of 21 among Sonata model years (Complaint Index 15/100, verdict: Best). It has 165 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (55 complaints), structure & body (32 complaints), and electrical system (31 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 80,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 Hyundai Sonata, most recently reported 2009, covering electrical system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?
- EPA rates the 2005 Hyundai Sonata at 21 MPG combined (18.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.