Problems · by component

2005 Hyundai Sonata air bags problems

55 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Hyundai Sonata cite air bags, 33% of all 165 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
55
33% of all complaints
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
15
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Air Bag light stays on and cannot pass stare inspection without repair. NHSTA site has 54 reports of this issue and dealer cannot figure out how to repair. What can be done?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2025Air bagsODI 11664220
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2018Air bagsODI 11094127
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2017Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10948181
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2016Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10916076
“I HAVE A 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA AND REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AS OF TODAY AND THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO STALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND NEVER GOES OFF SO I REPORTED IT AGAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHERE ARE SAFETY CONCERNS FOR THE CONSUMERS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2016Air bagsODI 10905715
“MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT ON NEW JERSEY PARKWAY SOUTH, THE AIR BAG ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE REFUSE TO DEPLOY, THESE HAS CAUSE MY WIFE BROKEN RIBBS AND SOME BODILY INJURIES ACCORDING TO DOCTORS REPORT....UPDATED 07/13/16 *BF”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2016Air bags, StructureCrash reportedODI 10859865

Showing 6 of 55 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2005 Sonata problem areas