Model year guide

2005 Hyundai Sonata

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Hyundai Sonata is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 68 on record.

2005 Hyundai Sonata — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Hyundai Sonata at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints165
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$2,183

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2005 Hyundai Sonata recalls 1

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09V280000 · 21/07/2009

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 TH…

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2005 Hyundai Sonata common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

2005 Hyundai Sonata MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,913

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2005 Hyundai Sonata worth?

Low
$800
Typical price
$2,183
High
$3,900

From 67 comparable 2005 Hyundai Sonata listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Hyundai Sonata costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,565
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,150
Total$15,715
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,183) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,042), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Hyundai Sonata trims & engines on record

Trims
GL · GLS · LX · GL V6 · GLS Special Value · Super Deluxe (GLS) · Deluxe (GL)
Engines
2.7L · 2.4L

2005 Hyundai Sonata vehicles on record

Other Hyundai Sonata model years

2005 Hyundai Sonata — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Hyundai Sonata have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2005 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Hyundai Sonata?

Based on 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, structure, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Hyundai Sonata get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2005 Hyundai Sonata at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2005 Hyundai Sonata worth?

Comparable 2005 Hyundai Sonata listings run roughly $800–$3,900, typically around $2,183 (from 67 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.