2006 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 155 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 28 involved a crash. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingJul 21, 2009
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.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
155 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, May 12, 2009
I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS IN MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WHICH I JUST DISCOVERED. I REPLACED THE FUSES BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. WHILE RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, CAME ACROSS A NOTIFICATION THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN THESE MODELS ARE BEING RECALLED. I CALLED CONSUMERS AFFAIRS WITH HYUNDAI AND WAS REFERRED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP. TODAY, 5/12 WENT TO THE NEW PORT RICHEY HYUNDAI DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THERE IS NO RECALL AND ALL OF THIS WAS INTERNET GARBAGE. I LEFT WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS. WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS AND THEY CAN NOT GET THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AS OUT OF STOCK. LOCAL DEALER DOES NOT RECOGNIZE A RECALL AND AUTO PARTS STORE CAN NOT GET THE PART. NEED ASSISTANCE PLEASE. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR TOM KINSELLA
Air bags, Mar 11, 2009, crash
WAS BROADSIDED IN MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT HAD CAR AT DEALER TWICE WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG LIGHT GOING OFF AN ON. NO MATTER WHO SAT IN FRONT SEAT IT STILL DID THAT. I WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT IT WAS FINE ONLY IT WASN'T, MY 14 YR. OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN FRONT SEAT THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW CAUSING HER TO BE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. SHE IS OK BUT STILL FEELING PAIN. ONLY AFTER THIS ACCIDENT DID I HEAR ABOUT SOME OF THE RECALLS AND TROUBLES OTHERS HAVE HAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE PROPERLY DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Air bags, Jan 27, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER WITH HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A POICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000.
Visibility, Jan 26, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT WILL BLOW ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. SHE IS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS IN THE MORNINGS BECAUSE THE HEAT DOES NOT BLOW THROUGH THE DEFROSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AT LEAST FOUR TIMES, BUT THEY STATED THAT THE ISSUES WERE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARRIVED FROM CALIFORNIA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CASE WOULD BE CLOSED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO FUNCTION IN THAT MANNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 02-26-09 *BF UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB
Power train, Dec 28, 2008
THE DEALER RIPPED US OFF. *TR
Air bags, Dec 12, 2008
DEFECT OF AIRBAG SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE 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. THE ABOVE IS TAKEN FROM AN ACTIVE RECALL ON ANOTHER HYUNDAI MODEL WITH THE SAME EQUIPMENT. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY WIFE WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND SHOWED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT ACTIVE. COMMON SENSE WOULD WARRANT CONCERN ABOUT THIS BEING SAME PROBLEM AS IN RECALL ID # 08V161000 - AIR BAGS. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT, AS THIS IS SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Oct 10, 2008, crash
I WAS IN CASA GRANDE ARIZONA DRIVING NORTH ON TREKELL ROAD WHEN I WAS HIT IN THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE FRONT, BACK AND PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE DRIVER DOOR, AND PART OF THE BACK DOOR CAME IN ABOUT 1 FT. I ENDED UP WITH A BRUISE LUNG, 2 CRACKED RIBS, AND GRADE 2 CUT ON MY SPLEEN. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS WENT OFF, BUT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I HAVE ALOT OF PICTURES THAT SHOWS NO DAMAGE WHAT SO EVER TO THE FRONT OR PASSENGER SIDE. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS ON THE DIVER SIDE WHERE THE FRONT DOOR AND PART OF THE BACK DOOR CAME INTO THE CAR ABOUT 1 FT. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Steering, Oct 6, 2008
THE STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING, AFTER 2 YEARS AND 54,000 MILES. WE BOUGHT OUR 2006 HYUNDAI, IN JULY OF 2007. THE PEELING BEGAN AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND IS STEADILY GETTING WORSE. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TURN SMOOTHLY, AS THE PART OF THE RUBBER IS MISSING AND YOUR HANDS CANNOT GRIP THE WHEEL PROPERLY. HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL, AS THEY SAID THIS WAS CAUSED BY USING CHEMICALS SUCH AS ARMORALL ON THE WHEEL. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THEY HAVE USED POOR QUALITY WHEEL COVERING MATERIAL THAT CANNOT WITHSTAND EVERY DAY USE. EVERYONE USES ARMORALL TO SHINE UP THEIR CAR. NOW, WE ARE PUTTING OURSELVES AT PERSONAL SAFETY RISK, AS THE WHEEL CANNOT BE GRIPPED PROPERLY, AS IT IS PEELING AWAY ON ONE PART. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Jul 3, 2008
I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 4400 MILES SHORTLY THERE AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AFTER REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED IT. SOON THERE AFTER THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, AGAIN, REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALER THEY THEN REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR AND MODULE FOR TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT DAY THE TRANS AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT WORKING PROPER AGAIN, THEN THE CAR IS BACK THERE TODAY, THERE TELLING ME THE TRANS IS FINE, AND THAT NOW THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS BEING REPLACED, I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT WITH THIS CAR, ITS FROM NORTH DAKOTA AND BELONGED TO A KEITH OLSON, COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS CAR MAY HAVE BEEN IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT, WITH KEITH OLSON. PLEASE HELP ANYWAY YOU CAN. ITS UNDER WARRANTY TILL 60,000 AND THE HISTORY SINCE I HAVE HAD IT, IS NOT GOOD, INCLUDING ONE TIME THE BRAKES FAILED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 16, 2008
DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPAIR MY REAR BRAKES ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AT 14000 MI.. THEY SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ELANTRAS. IF THIS IS TRUE MAYBE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD NEED TO ADDRESS. MAYBE THIS COULD CAUSE A BRAKING PROBLEM DOWN THE ROAD. *TR
Air bags, Mar 25, 2008
I PURCHASED MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN DEC 06 AND NOTICED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AT TIMES WHEN THERE WERE PASSENGERS ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT. ON MY FIRST OIL CHANGE, I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THEY SAT IT THE CAR, NOTHING COULD BE DONE AND THAT PERHAPS MY PASSENGER WAS NOT SEATED "CORRECTLY". I ACCEPTED THE EXPLANATION AT THE TIME, BUT HAVING SAT IN MY OWN PASSENGER SEAT WHEN I WAS SLEEPY AND MY MOTHER DROVE, I AM DISTURBED THAT DESPITE BEING SEATED UPRIGHT WITH MY SEATBELT SECURELY FASTENED, THE LIGHT WOULD STILL NOT STAY OFF CONSISTENTLY. I FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE AND BROUGHT IT UP TO THE DEALER AGAIN AT MY LAST CAR SERVICING IN FEB 08, BUT WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT THE SERVICE SHOP, SO IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. I UNDERSTAND THIS CONCEPT, BUT I AM GREATLY CONCERNED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY. THE TSB STATES THAT THIS MAY OCCUR WITH SMALLER STATURE ADULTS, BUT I HAVE NO CHILDREN OR VERY SMALL FRIENDS/FAMILY, AND I AM CERTAINLY AVERAGE SIZED AND THE LIGHT STILL GOES ON AND OFF. MY CONCERNS ARE ONLY ASSUAGED BY THE FACT THAT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT IT IS JUST A LIGHT SENSOR AND THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL ALWAYS DEPLOY IF THE SEATBELT IS BUCKLED. I HOPE THAT THIS IS TRUE, BUT AFTER READING OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS SITE ABOUT AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, MY ANXIETY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE HAS INCREASED. I PLAN TO WRITE A LETTER TO HYUNDAI REGARDING THIS MATTER BUT I AM NOT SURE IF MY CONCERNS WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, SO I AM HOPING THAT THIS ENTRY WILL HELP TO BRING MORE ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE. IS IT REALLY JUST A FLAKY SENSOR/LIGHT OR ARE MY AIR BAGS UNRELIABLE? *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 5, 2008
I HAVE A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I HAVE JUST REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 6 MONTHS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER THE LAST TIME, THEY "CLAIMED" THEY HAD CHECKED ALL WIRING AND LAMPS AND STATED ALL WAS OKAY. SOMEHOW I DOUBT IT WAS THE BULBS. ONE WENT OUT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND THE OTHER BLEW TODAY. THANKFULLY, I WAS BY MY HOME WHEN IT WAS GETTING DARK. I AM GOING TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT AGAIN THIS WEEK. *TR
Air bags, Dec 30, 2007, crash
ALL BAGS IN THE CAR FAILED TO OPEN UPON IMPACT, DON'T BUY "HYUNDAI"S AND HYUNDAI SAID THAT SINCE 2002 THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WITH ELANTRAS AND OTHER MODELS. BUT DID NOTHING TO FIX THEM. *TR
Structure, Nov 14, 2007
DRIVING ON 495 WASHINGTON BELTWAY, HEARD A LOUD NOISE, I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE CAR I LOOK ALL AROUND AND SAW THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE SUNROOF. IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS PUSHED UP FROM THE INSIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS HAD NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE AND THE HYUNDAI REP SAID IT COULDN'T HAPPEN BY ITSELF AND REFUSE TO COVER THE DAMAGE UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST WAS ALMOST $1000. *TR
Air bags, Jun 21, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE INDICATOR READS, "AIR BAG OFF". THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FAILURE TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 21,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Steering, May 25, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED REPEATEDLY FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED YARDS UNTIL IT FINALLY CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THE HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER'S BODY SHOP. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE MOVED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND SHE BELIEVES THAT IT WILL BE CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOST. THE MECHANICS NEVER MENTIONED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,300.
Wheels, May 14, 2007
I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE I WAS 16 AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS EVER. THE 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH STANDARD STEEL WHEELS DEFINITELY HA A DESIGN PROBLEM. IN THE WINTER, SNOW SLUSH BUILDS UP INSIDE THE WHEEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE SEVERELY ABOVE 30 MPH. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OF THE WHEEL. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND LIVE IN GURNEE, ILLINOIS. *AK
Power train, Structure, Mar 30, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATED,. THE VIBRATION GOT WORSE AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. PRIOR TO THE FRAME BEING TIGHTENED THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHEN DECELERATING AND THE TRANSMISSION THUMPED WHEN GOING INTO OVERDRIVE. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, BEHIND A LARGE TRUCK, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WOULD TAKE FLIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET SATISFACTION FROM HYUNDAI. THEY STATED THAT FAILURES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND OVER WERE NOT UNDER THEIR PURVIEW. THE CONTACT HAS REPAIR INVOICES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,700 , AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,900. *AK
Air bags, Feb 22, 2007, crash
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT AP10-15 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CRASH OCCURRED AS THE VEHICLE STARTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AFTER WAITING AT A RED LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS ONLY ONE PASSENGER IN VEHICLE. THERE WAS NEVER ANY MAINTENANCE OR SERVICE PERFORMED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 49000. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jan 26, 2007, crash
TL*- ON 01/05/07 THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER IN DANVILLE, VIRGINIA BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GETTING STUCK ON THE FLOOR , AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 01/06/07 WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH H APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT COULD PROVIDE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE , AS WELL AS AN ACCIDENT REPORT. *AK
Visibility, Jan 13, 2007
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 2, 2007, crash
WHEN MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKE ON A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HER FOOT CONTACTED BOTH GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS, WHICH RESULTED IN CRASHING INTO BUILDING IN FRONT OF A PARKING SPACE. PERSONALLY I HAD EXPERIENCED THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE GAS PEDAL IS SLIGHTLY HIGHER AND CLOSE TO BRAKE PEDAL AND IT APPEARS TO BE VERY EASY TO PUSH BOTH DOWN. I ALMOST DROVE INTO THE SIDE OF AN ONCOMING CAR ENTERING THE ROAD. ON MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HIGHER THAN THE GAS PEDAL , MAYBE THE TRANSITION TO THIS OTHER PEDAL ARRANGEMENT IS PART OF THE ISSUE. *JB
Seats, Dec 25, 2006
WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET A SEAT SHAMPOO THE SEATS HAVE BROUGHT UP A HORRIBLE STAIN FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SEATS AND THE CAR IS BRAND NEW AND I HAVE NEVER SPILLED ANY THING IN THE SEATS. *NM
Air bags, Structure, Nov 6, 2006, crash
I FAILED TO TURN MY WHEEL SUFFICIENTLY AND HIT A PALM TREE AT FOUR MILES PER HOUR. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED $3400.00 OF DAMAGES FROM THIS FOUR MILE PER HOUR CRASH. I DO NOT FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE. *NM