2006 Hyundai Sonata Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Hyundai Sonata ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 65 and a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, cited in 42% of complaints, backed by nine recall campaigns including a 2008 airbag occupant-classification recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Sonata years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,047
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 43
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 38
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 38 / 1
Top 2006 Hyundai Sonata problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including collisions around 45 mph.
- Passenger seat belts have failed to hold occupants during crashes, with one strap reported as broken.
- An engine fire was reported after the car had been parked for several hours following a highway trip.
- Brakes have locked up on one side, causing the vehicle to spin and hit a curb.
- A driver's seat reportedly slid back and reclined on its own after a rear-end collision, pulling the driver away from the wheel.
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 reliable?
- Compared with other Sonata model years, 2006 ranks 8th worst out of 21 with a complaint index of 65 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the main problem with the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 42% of complaints (435 total), with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists nine recall campaigns for the 2006 Sonata, covering airbags, brakes, electrical system, suspension, and structure/body components.
- Is the 2006 Sonata better or worse than the 2011 Sonata?
- The 2006 Sonata has a complaint index of 65 versus 100 for the 2011 model, which is rated Avoid, so 2006 has fewer reported problems relative to 2011.
- How does the 2006 Sonata compare to the 2005 model?
- The 2005 Sonata has a complaint index of 15 and a Good verdict, far lower than the 2006 model's index of 65 and Caution verdict.