Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2006 Hyundai Sonata — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2013 to Dec 2023
The most reported issue is air bags problems (307 complaints). 43 complaints involved crashes. 9 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (11)
NHTSA Campaign: 09V122000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED 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, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA Campaign: 18V026000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 172.
NHTSA Campaign: 08V161000
Component: AIR BAGS
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 393,308 MY 2006-2008 SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH FEATURES AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE PURPOSE OF THE OCS IS TO DISABLE THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIR BAG WHEN IT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR SMALL CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG IS DISABLED TO PREVENT INJURIES TO A CHILD THAT MAY RESULT FROM A RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG INFLATION DURING A CRASH.
Risk: MISCLASSIFICATION OF A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE OCS DOES NOT PROPERLY RECOGNIZE A PROPERLY SEATED ADULT OCCUPANT. AFTER VERIFICATION, DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY AND SHIP IT TO AN EVALUATION AND REPAIR FACILITY. THIS FACILITY WILL EVALUATE AND REPAIR OR REPROGRAM THE SEAT CUSHION AND OCS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA Campaign: 09E012000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA Campaign: 08E021000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 4,085 REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2006-2008 SONATA AND AZERA VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ALIGNED PROPERLY AND FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: HYUNDAI-KIA DEALERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR SUPPLY TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. NONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WERE SOLD AS RETAIL. AS A RESULT, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT BE ISSUED.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V354000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Risk: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.
NHTSA Campaign: 09V280000
Component: 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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 05V316000
Component: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.3 LITER ENGINES AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), THE ESC MAY HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMED TO BE OVERSENSITIVE TO THE ONSET OF OVERSTEERING WHILE DRIVING ON BANKED CURVES, CAUSING INADVERTENT APPLICATION OF THE FRONT OUTSIDE BRAKE WHEN ESC ACTIVATION MAY NOT BE NEEDED.
Risk: THIS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLOW AND MAY AFFECT THE PATH THAT THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BY INADVERTENT ESC ACTIVATION MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ESC HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA Campaign: 06V234000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LABEL INSTALLED ON THE SUNVISORS HAD LOST ADHESION TO THE SUNVISORS AND HAD DISTORTED OR SEPARATED FROM THE SUN VISORS.
Risk: IF THE LABELS ARE DISTORTED OR MISSING, THE DRIVER OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE INFORMATION AVAILABLE THAT MAY HELP PROTECT THEM IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUNVISOR ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA Campaign: 05V377000
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT BELT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE MANUAL SEAT BACK RECLINER KNOB AND COULD CAUSE THE FRONT MANUAL SEAT BACK RECLINER TO INADVERTENTLY RELEASE.
Risk: THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF A FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL SEAT BACK RECLINER KNOB(S) FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA Campaign: 06V180000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INNER BEZELS OF THE HEADLAMPS WERE NOT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL LENSES TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED TURN SIGNAL LENS MAY REDUCE THE INTENSITY OF THE TURN SIGNAL ILLUMINATION, REDUCING ITS VISIBILITY TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 1047)
Air Bags →7 issues
Your airbag warning light came on while driving your 2006 Hyundai Sonata. You identified this as potentially related to a known airbag safety recall (NHTSA Campaign 08V161000), but the problem wasn't diagnosed by a dealer or mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted but didn't provide assistance. The warning occurred at 140,000 miles.
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Your air bag warning light is on. You took your car to an independent mechanic and notified the dealer about the problem, but the issue hasn't been diagnosed or repaired yet. This happened at around 48,000 miles. The airbag system needs to be properly diagnosed and repaired to ensure the airbags will work in a crash.
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Your car's passenger seat sensor that detects whether an adult or child is sitting there is failing to work properly. This means the airbag might deploy when it shouldn't, which could injure a child in an accident. You brought the car in for a recall, but the sensor wasn't replaced at that time, and now Hyundai says it's past the warranty period even though the problem showed up before the warranty expired. Fixing this will require replacing or recalibrating the passenger occupant classification sensor (OCS) and seat cushion.
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Your 2006 Sonata has multiple brake system failures including ABS malfunction, brake line failure with fluid leakage, and brake failure, plus a control arm that needs repair. These issues affect your ability to stop safely and control the vehicle. Repairs will likely involve replacing brake lines, flushing and refilling the brake system, repairing or replacing the ABS module, and replacing the control arm.
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Your airbag warning light stays on while you're driving. This indicates there's a problem with the airbag system that needs attention — it could mean the airbags won't deploy properly in a crash. You should have a mechanic scan the airbag system computer to identify the fault, which might involve replacing a faulty sensor, wiring, or the airbag control module itself.
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Your airbag warning light stays on continuously, which means your airbags may not deploy properly in a crash. This is a safety issue that prevents your car from passing inspection, and local shops won't service it. You'll need to get your vehicle to a dealership to diagnose and repair the airbag system, which could take several weeks.
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Your airbag warning light stays on and won't turn off, even though your seat belt was previously repaired. The warning light appears to be connected to the seat belt system, but the problem persists. The airbag system may need diagnostic testing to identify and fix the underlying issue causing the warning light to remain illuminated.
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Suspension →4 issues
While driving, you heard a loud bang and scraping noise from under your car, and both the ABS and check engine warning lights came on. A dealer diagnosed a failed control arm and suspension that needed replacement, but the vehicle was not repaired. The suspension failure occurred at around 176,000 miles.
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While turning at low speed, you heard a loud bang and scraping noise from your Hyundai Sonata. When you stopped, you discovered the rear crossmember had completely separated from the vehicle. A mechanic found that the bolts connecting the lower and upper control arms were severely corroded and had failed, even though this suspension component had been previously repaired under a recall.
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Your car's rear lower control arm has broken in half. This is a structural component that helps support the rear suspension and keep your wheels properly aligned. You'll likely notice unusual handling or a clunking sound from the rear of the vehicle. The broken control arm will need to be replaced with a new one.
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Your rear suspension developed corrosion, causing a coil or bar to break off while you were driving. The broken piece punctured your tire, causing it to blow out. This appears to be a known issue that was the subject of a previous recall, and you're fortunate this happened after exiting the highway rather than at high speed. The fix will likely involve replacing the corroded suspension components and inspecting the tire for damage.
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic →2 issues
Your brake pedal sank all the way to the floor when you tried to stop, causing your car to roll to a stop instead of stopping right away. Your brake warning light came on. You discovered that your rear brake lines and crossover line were severely rusted with holes in them, which caused the brake fluid to leak. Fixing this will require replacing the rusted brake lines and bleeding the brake system to remove air and refill it with fresh fluid.
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Your ABS warning light came on while driving. A mechanic found that water had gotten into the ABS module and caused an electrical short circuit. Even though your vehicle matches a known safety campaign (NHTSA Campaign 18V026000), the dealer confirmed your specific vehicle wasn't included in the recall. Fixing this will likely require replacing or repairing the ABS module and addressing how water is entering the brake system.
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Power Train,engine →1 issue
Your 2006 Hyundai Sonata's engine experienced knocking sounds, stalling, and then completely seized without warning while you were driving. You believe this is the same defect that Hyundai recalled in 2013–2014 Sonatas with the same engine type, but your vehicle isn't included in that recall. Addressing this will likely require a complete engine replacement or major engine repair.
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Vehicle Speed Control →1 issue
Your car's brakes failed to stop it while you were pressing the pedal. Even when you pressed the brake all the way down, your car continued accelerating forward, which caused you to rear-end another vehicle. A mechanic is currently inspecting your car to determine what caused the brake failure.
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Unknown Or Other,engine →1 issue
Your son heard a loud pop and saw flames coming from under the hood while driving. The fire department had to extinguish the fire, and the vehicle was totaled. This indicates a serious engine fire that requires immediate professional investigation to determine the root cause.
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Engine And Engine Cooling,engine →1 issue
Your 2006 Sonata lost power while driving with no warning light, and you discovered engine oil leaking and low coolant levels. The engine wouldn't restart and was diagnosed with a valve cover leak at an independent mechanic. Even after repair, the same problem happened again, and despite additional unknown repairs, the leak returned.
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Steering,suspension →1 issue
Your car has a known recall for rear lower control arms that rust and fail. When you took your car in for an alignment, the mechanic couldn't get the toe-in adjusted to safe driving standards and warned that if left unfixed, the wheel could fall out of alignment and cause serious damage. The Hyundai dealership refused to service the recall because your car's location doesn't qualify under their current recall program. You'll need to get the rear lower control arms inspected and likely replaced to restore proper wheel alignment.
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Suspension,unknown Or Other,service Brakes →1 issue
Your 2006 Sonata has rear control arms and subframe that have rusted and deteriorated to the point where the car is no longer drivable. Additionally, your Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light is on, though it's unclear if this is related to the suspension damage. You'll need to replace the rear control arms and likely address the subframe rust to get your car back on the road.
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Suspension,engine →1 issue
Your vehicle is experiencing an issue with the suspension and/or engine, but the specific problem wasn't clearly described in the complaint. You should have a mechanic diagnose which component is actually affected and what repair is needed.
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Related Vehicles
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