2006 Hyundai Tucson Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Hyundai Tucson has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict relative to other Tucson years. It has 135 complaints, 5 recalls, and its top problem area is airbags at 27% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Tucson years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 135
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2006 Hyundai Tucson problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags37 (27%)
- Engine27 (20%)
- Electrical System24 (18%)
- Brakes21 (16%)
- Other16 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (11%)
- Structure & Body14 (10%)
- Steering13 (10%)
- Seat Belts8 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report side or frontal crashes where none of the airbags deployed, sometimes with the vehicle rolling over.
- Some drivers describe door frames deforming in low-speed side impacts, trapping occupants inside.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to retract properly during rear-end collisions, allowing heads to strike the windshield or jaw to hit the steering wheel.
- A driver described the vehicle suddenly accelerating while parking or idling with no foot on the throttle, resulting in a collision.
- One owner reported the rear cross member frame breaking in two spots due to rust.
2006 Hyundai Tucson recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System1,712,336 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
- 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.
- NHTSA 09V122000Apr 15, 2009Electrical System532,633 vehicles
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.
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.
2006 Hyundai Tucson fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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 Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
- Compared to other Tucson model years, the 2006 has a complaint index of 25 and ranks 16th out of 21 years, earning a Good verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Hyundai Tucson?
- NHTSA complaints show airbags as the top problem area at 27% of complaints (37 total), followed by engine issues at 20% and electrical system issues at 18%.
- Does the 2006 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2006 Tucson, covering the stop lamp switch and driver airbag module replacement.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2006 Hyundai Tucson?
- NHTSA lists 135 complaints for the 2006 Tucson, including 15 crashes, 3 fires, and 17 injuries.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Hyundai Tucson?
- EPA rates the 2006 Tucson at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.