2006 HYUNDAI SONATA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,422
Owner Complaints
11
Recalls
29
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
The 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA has received a total of 1,422 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SUSPENSION:REAR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (375 complaints), Visibility (150 complaints), and Seat Belts (96 complaints).
Recalls for the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA, potentially affecting up to 1,483,397 vehicles.
Recall 18V026000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
| 87,854 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 .
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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....
View full details →Recall 13V354000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 364,502 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 09V280000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 3,011 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 09V122000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 532,633 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 08V161000 — AIR BAGS
| 393,308 vehicles affected
Defect: 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....
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 08E021000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 4,085 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 06V234000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 43,301 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 06V180000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 463 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 05V377000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
| 36,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF A FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 05V316000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
| 1,970 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
1,422 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground and the coolant level was abnormally low. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a valve cover leak. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense; however, the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was not contacted. In addition, the contact stated that several other unknown repairs were made; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground and the coolant level was abnormally low. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a valve cover leak. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense; however, the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was not contacted. In addition, the contact stated that several other unknown repairs were made; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious engine issue with my 2006 Hyundai Sonata equipped with a 2.4L GDI engine. My vehicle experienced [engine knocking, stalling, and then seized up indicating complete Engine failure] without warning, posing a potential safety hazard while driving. The issue appears to be identical to the known manufacturing defects that Hyundai has acknowledged in its recall of 2013–2014 Sonata models with the same engine Class Type. Although my vehicle is not currently included in the official recall “ SONATA ENGINE RECALL CAMPAIGN it contains the Theta II MPI Engine which constitutes and Further solidifies proof of the ongoing Manufacturing Defects of Theta Model Engine design and exhibits the same symptoms of sudden engine failure. This raises concerns that the defect may affect a broader range of model years than Hyundai has acknowledged. I urge NHTSA to investigate this issue and determine whether the scope of the current recall should be expanded to include earlier model years such as 2006. The defect creates a significant safety risk to drivers and passengers, and Hyundai should be held accountable for all affected vehicles—not just those produced within a narrow window.
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious engine issue with my 2006 Hyundai Sonata equipped with a 2.4L GDI engine. My vehicle experienced [engine knocking, stalling, and then seized up indicating complete Engine failure] without warning, posing a potential safety hazard while driving. The issue appears to be identical to the known manufacturing defects that Hyundai has acknowledged in its recall of 2013–2014 Sonata models with the same engine Class Type. Although my vehicle is not currently included in the official recall “ SONATA ENGINE RECALL CAMPAIGN it contains the Theta II MPI Engine which constitutes and Further solidifies proof of the ongoing Manufacturing Defects of Theta Model Engine design and exhibits the same symptoms of sudden engine failure. This raises concerns that the defect may affect a broader range of model years than Hyundai has acknowledged. I urge NHTSA to investigate this issue and determine whether the scope of the current recall should be expanded to include earlier model years such as 2006. The defect creates a significant safety risk to drivers and passengers, and Hyundai should be held accountable for all affected vehicles—not just those produced within a narrow window.
There is a recall for the rear lower control arms for the 2006 Hyundai sonata getting rusty and not performing. My car was taken in for an alignment and the mechanic said he isn’t able to make the toe match up to be in good driving standards. I tried reaching out to a Hyundai dealership and they checked the VIN and said they couldn’t do anything about it because my car isn’t in a certain part of the United States. If I don’t get this fixed soon the mechanic said my when could fall out of alignment and cause some serious damage to me or someone else.
Safety Rating for the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
Hyundai Motor America has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
15-BE-002 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
HYUNDAI 2006-2008 SONATA: BULLETIN INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICE PRCEDURES TO REPAIR THE SYMPTOM OF AN AIRBAG WARNING WITH DTC CODE, B1701 OR B1706. *LJ
TSB-13-FL-003 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
HYUNDAI: INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR FUEL LEVEL SENDER AND SYMPTOMS OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ERRATIC OR UNRESPONSIVE FUEL GAUGE OR FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REACH FULL LEVEL AFTER FILLING UP. MODELS 2012-2014 GENESIS, 2006-2014 SONATA, 2010-2014 TUCSON. *PE
083 — EQUIPMENT
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
TSB09-FL-003-2 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HYUNDAI: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH THE ETC (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 ( FORCED LIMITED POWER) OR DTC P0638 (POWER MANAGEMENT). *PE
083 — SEATS
OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) REPROGRAMMING ON CERTAIN 2006-2008 MODEL YEAR SONATAS. *PE
08-FL-004 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT P2135 DTC DIAGNOSIS -- SOME 2006-2007 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L, 3.3L, OR 3.8L ENGINES. *NJ
0736006 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOME 2006-2007 VEHICLES WITH 3.3L/3.8L GASOLINE ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT MIL ILLUMINATION WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DTC: P2138, P2127, P2122, P2106. *NJ
0640015 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DTC P0708. *KB
0601007 — STRUCTURE:BODY
SUN VISOR LABEL REPLACEMENT. LABELS MAY BECOME DISTORTED OR SEPARATED FROM THE SUN VISOR. *KB
0501015 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
PCM REPROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS FOR REDUCING DOWNSHIFT TIME (CAMPAIGN T15). *AK
Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA.
Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI SONATA
- 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA — 293 complaints
- 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA — 407 complaints
- 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA — 247 complaints
- 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA — 285 complaints
- 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA — 217 complaints
- 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA (current)
- 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA — 905 complaints
- 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA — 552 complaints
- 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA — 610 complaints
- 2010 HYUNDAI SONATA — 415 complaints
- 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA — 4,588 complaints
Other HYUNDAI Models
- HYUNDAI ELANTRA — 11,768 total complaints
- HYUNDAI SANTA FE — 9,835 total complaints
- HYUNDAI TUCSON — 7,920 total complaints
- HYUNDAI ACCENT — 2,733 total complaints
- HYUNDAI PALISADE — 2,456 total complaints
- HYUNDAI VELOSTER — 1,738 total complaints
- HYUNDAI GENESIS — 1,702 total complaints
- HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 — 1,636 total complaints