2006 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
65/100
#8 most-complained of 21 Sonata years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata has 1,047 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 65 out of 100 — #8 highest of 21 Sonata model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (435 complaints, 42% of the total). Complaints report 43 crashes, 9 fires, 38 injuries, and 1 death.
- Complaints
- 1,047
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 43 / 9
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 30 hwy
Top 2006 Hyundai Sonata problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags435 (42%)
- Visibility & Wipers186 (18%)
- Brakes127 (12%)
- Electrical System118 (11%)
- Engine108 (10%)
- Seat Belts102 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires93 (9%)
- Structure & Body63 (6%)
- Other42 (4%)
- Steering35 (3%)
2006 Hyundai Sonata recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V026000Jan 9, 2018Brakes87,854 vehicles
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.
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. Owners may call Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 172.
- NHTSA 13V354000Aug 12, 2013Suspension, Wheels & Tires364,502 vehicles
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.
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.
- NHTSA 09V280000Jul 21, 2009Electrical System3,011 vehicles
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.
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.
2006 Hyundai Sonata fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Hyundai Sonata a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Hyundai Sonata ranks #8 of 21 among Sonata model years (Complaint Index 65/100, verdict: Caution). It has 1,047 complaints and 9 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (435 complaints), visibility & wipers (186 complaints), and brakes (127 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 70,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, most recently reported 2018, covering brakes, suspension, wheels & tires, electrical system, and airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
- EPA rates the 2006 Hyundai Sonata at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.