MYRModel Year Report

2005 Hyundai Sonata

▲ Better than typical
2005 Hyundai Sonata
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:37:50.580Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
165
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 320 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 165 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,380 complaints 2012: 1,559 complaints 2012 2013: 1,915 complaints 2014: 748 complaints 2015: 1,154 complaints 2016: 727 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 375 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 182 complaints 2021: 134 complaints 2022: 94 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1990 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 320 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 165 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2008 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,380 complaints 2011 2012: 1,559 complaints 2013: 1,915 complaints 2014: 748 complaints 2014 2015: 1,154 complaints 2016: 727 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 375 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 182 complaints 2020 2021: 134 complaints 2022: 94 complaints 2023: 88 complaints 2023 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1995 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2001 2002: 320 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 165 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2009 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,380 complaints 2011 2012: 1,559 complaints 2013: 1,915 complaints 2013 2014: 748 complaints 2015: 1,154 complaints 2015 2016: 727 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 375 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2019 2020: 182 complaints 2021: 134 complaints 2021 2022: 94 complaints 2023: 88 complaints 2023 2024: 47 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints

2005: 165 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002320
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,380
20121,559
20131,915
2014748
20151,154
2016727
2017767
2018375
2019162
2020182
2021134
202294
202388
202447
202517
20263

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

35% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: the contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Sonata. The passenger side front suspension failed while driving. The air bag deployed before impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-06-28

Also filed under Suspension and steering

Structure

18% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Rust underneath engine part of body front passenger side I think this metal support break anytime while driving in rain

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-12

I had come to a complete stop attempting to merge into traffic, as I pressed on accelerator, I felt it go down under my foot, thus hiting the right rear bumper of the car in front of me.this was the first time. The second time happened in January.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-29

About two years ago the chrome plating on the interior door handles started to peel off, resulting in hazardous sharp edges being formed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-03

Suspension

16% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing front.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My car's engine cradle, cross member or subframe is rusted out and the OEM replacement for my VIN number won't fit it correctly I'm getting really upset because this could be dangerous for me and my two young kids.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-19

Also filed under Engine

Electrical system

12% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

10% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights and headlights.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2009-09-02Exterior lighting09V280000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 57 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V280000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Hyundai Sonata is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Sonata have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.