2006 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 1,047 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 43 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 38 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipJan 9, 2018
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 .
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.
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.
Campaign 18V026000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2013
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.
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 13V354000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 15, 2009
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.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09V122000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
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.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 10, 2008
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. 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.
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.
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 REPAIR OR REPROGRAM THE SEAT CUSHION AND OCS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08V161000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 7, 2008
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.
IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 08E021000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 26, 2006
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 06V234000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 22, 2006
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 06V180000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, reclinerAug 29, 2005
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.
THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF A FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
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.
Campaign 05V377000 on NHTSA.gov
Electronic stability control, automatic (asc)Jul 7, 2005
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 05V316000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
435 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Feb 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHILCE WAS AWAITING REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 30, 2012
AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ON TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 2 YEARS AGO (ESTIMATE), THEY RESET THE SENSOR AND FIDDLED WITH THE CABLE UNDER THE SEAT. IN AUGUST OF 2011 THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND REMAINED ON. TOOK IT IT THE DEALER WHO SCANNED THE CODES WHICH READ "B1701" AND "B1706" AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH FROM THE SEAT BUCKLES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BUCKLE AT MY COST. MILEAGE 62,966 THERE SEEMS TO BE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF THIS OCCURRING AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. SEE ALSO: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/HYUNDAI/SONATA/10315909 HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2006/HYUNDAI/SONATA/SEAT_BELTS/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/HYUNDAI_AIRBAGS.HTML *TT
Air bags, Jan 27, 2012
THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG FAILED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ON 1/26/2012 AND HAPPENED ON A REPLACED SEAT, AS THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ON 10/10/2009 AND WAS REPORTED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT THEN . THE ODI ID NUMBER IS 10289803. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS NOT HELPED BY HYUNDAI, AS I REPLACED THE SEAT AT MY EXPENSE; NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL (AND NOT HAVING BEEN NOTIFIED BY HYUNDAI) I AM TAKING THIS VEHICLE TO RED HOAGLAND HYUNDAI DEALER IN WINTER HAVEN, FL. THIS COMING TUESDAY, 1/31/2012 TO SEE WHAT RECOURSE WILL HAPPEN AND WILL ADVISE NHTSA. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ON 01/31/12, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, AFTER 150 MILES. UPDATED IVOQ 02/23/12. *JB *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 20, 2012
I PURCHASED A HYUNDAI SONATA IN 2006. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM FROM THE YEAR I GOT IT AND STILL IS. IT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME. THE DEALER RESET IT A FEW TIMES AND THEN IN SEP 2008 THEY PUT IN A NEW SEAT BUCKLE. ONCE AGAIN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE DEALER WANTS $125 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC (CODE IS ACTIVE B1706) AND SAID A NEW BUCKLE IS NEEDED, WHICH IS ANOTHER $179 PLUS LABOR. SO EVERY YEAR I AM GOING TO HAVE TO DROP OVER $300 FOR THE LIGHT TO BE TURNED OFF SO IT PASSES INSPECTION. THIS IS A SCAM. THE CONCERN IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH THE DEALER SINCE THE DAY I GOT THE CAR. NOW THEY WON'T COVER IT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER ABOUT 2 DAYS FROM BEING RESET. SO EVERY YEAR WHEN THE INSPECTION IS DUE, I HAVE TO PUT OUT THE MONEY OUT FOR A NEW BUCKLE AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT, I HAVE NO LITTLE KIDS OR CAR SEAT IN USE, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THE AIRBAG GO OFF. NO IDEA HOW A SEAT BELT BUCKLES DIES ON ITS OWN AND ANNUALLY, TOO! THERE IS A RECALL OUT THERE BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LIGHT GOING ON WHEN KIDS THAT DO NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO TOGGLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF, SO THE LIGHT STAYS ON. THAT RECALLS # IS08V161000. MANY FOLKS ONLINE AND IN FORUMS ARE REPORTING THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS CONCERN AS IT KEEPS DUPLICATING OVER AND OVER AND OVER. RIGHT NOW, I AM PAYING FOR FIRESTONE TO DO REPLACE THE BUCKLE AND FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE THEY WARRANTY IT FOR 18 MONTHS AND THE DEALER WILL ONLY DO IT FOR 12. I NEED A NEW INSPECTION STICKER. RICHMOND, VA. *TT
Air bags, Jan 9, 2012
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON..THE DEALER SAYS IT'S THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH IS A $1,400 REPAIR. WHEN YOU SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG WARNING GOES ON AND OFF BUT THE LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 08V161000. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY TOLD ME ONLY CARS BUILT IN MAY AND JUNE OF 2006 WOULD BE HONORED FOR THE RECALL. MY CAR WAS BUILT IN JULY 2006 (ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICE). WHY WOULD THEY ONLY RECALL CARS BUILT IN MAY AND JUNE? OBVIOUSLY THEY DID NOT KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTED DURING THE PRODUCTION OF MY CAR? WHAT MAKES MY CAR SEAT PARTS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE PRODUCED IN MAY AND JUNE? I ASKED IF THEY HAD PART NUMBERS THAT WERE IN THE RECALL AND IF THEY CHANGED DESIGN IN JULY? THEY COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT ANSWER ME. MY BET IS THEY ISSUED THE RECALL TO SATISFY A FEW IF ANY AND TURN-DOWN ALL OTHERS TO SAVE MONEY SINCE THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE SEAT HAS TO BE REMOVED AND SENT OUT TO BE CALIBRATED (COST ESTIMATE $1,400). THE BOTTOM LINE IS MY AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON AND HYUNDAI HAS A LONG LONG HISTORY OF AIR BAG ISSUES. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THEM TO HONOR MY CAR IN THE RECALL? IF I WERE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION MY AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. *TR
Air bags, Jan 8, 2012
I BOUGHT A USED CAR AT TARBOX AND THE CAR AT 60 WAS FEELING LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING THEN AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF BROUGHT IT BACK AND DEALER RESET IT AND SKIPPING STOPPED LIGHT STAYED OFF THEN THE SKIPPING CAME BACK I WAS CHECKING THE FUSE BOX AIRBAG FUSE WAS REMOVED SO I REPLACED WITH THE EXTRA FUSE RIGHT SIZE AND LIGHT STAYS ON BUT DEALER SAYS NOW OVER WARRANTY BUT I TOLD THEM I REPORTED BEFORE THIS AND FUSE WAS REMOVED IS THERE A RECALL THAT WAS OR WASN'T DONE ON THIS CAR. *TR
Air bags, Jan 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN 2006, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER AT THAT TIME, THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AND AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 02/24/12
Air bags, Jan 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Air bags, Dec 28, 2011
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TEN TIMES FOR THE DEFECT. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BUCKLES WERE REPLACED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION DUE TO THE SEAT BELTS NOT PROPERLY OPERATING BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,313. KMJ
Air bags, Dec 26, 2011
ONE MORNING THAT I STARTED THE CAR, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OFF AFTER THE START-UP. IT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE THIS LIGHT CAME ON, AND I BROUGHT IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER. AFTER THEIR DIAGNOSTIC, THEY SAID IT'S A SENSOR IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAD SHORTEN OUT AND IT'S CAUSING AIRBAG SIGN TO COME ON. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS MEANS THAT IN CASE OF ACCIDENT THAT MY DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG WOULDN'T INFLATE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER READING SEVERAL WEBSITES ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR'S AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM, BUT HYUNDAI IS KEEP DENYING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. ANOTHER THING THAT IT'S SHOCKING TO ME IS THAT IN CASE A PERSON IS DRIVING WITHOUT A SEATBELT, AIRBAG WOULDN'T INFLATE, JUST AS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN SEATBELT BUCKLE CAN CAUSE MALFUNCTION IN DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME..WHY WOULD A CAR MAKER WOULD EVER DESIGN A SYSTEM LIKE THIS? TO PUNISH PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING WITHOUT A SEATBELT? WHEN I ASKED THIS QUESTION, THE HYUNDAI DEALER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT HE DOESN'T MAKE A CAR BUT THERE TO SELL IT! *TR
Air bags, Dec 13, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,500.
Air bags, Dec 2, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES TO HAVE THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM REPLACED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE MANUFACTURER CONTINUOUSLY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 21, 2011
THE "AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. IT WAS REPORTED BACK TO ME THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON (AND IT WAS NOT COVERED ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY). FROM RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2006. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH IT IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. *TR
Air bags, Nov 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE MAT SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,949.
Air bags, Oct 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2011
WE OWN A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT HAS AN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. OUR DEALER HAS TRIED 3 TIMES UNSUCCESSFULLY TO FIX IT. A MONTH OR TWO AGO OUR ABS AND AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON. WE PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED AND A WEEK OR SO LATER THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT BACK OFF A FEW TIMES OVER THE NEXT WEEK. IT THEN STAYED ON SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT CONNECTOR THAT NEEDED REPLACED AGAIN. THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE AND ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON AGAIN. A FEW WEEKS WENT BY AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE SO THEY WOULD REPLACE IT AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE. LESS THAN A WEEK WENT BY AND THE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. WE HAD IT BACK IN TO THE DEALER TODAY, THE FOURTH TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOW THEY SAY IT IS THE SAME PART BUT THIS TIME ITS THE DRIVERS SIDE INSTEAD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE BELIEVE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN IN ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THINKING BACK, EVERY TIME THE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON IT HAS BEEN ON MY LUNCH HOUR WHEN I DECIDED TO EAT LUNCH IN THE CAR AND I MOVED MY SEAT BACK ALL THE WAY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND CASES WHERE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 3, 2011
I HAVE A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT HAD MY AIRBAG AND RIGHT SEAT BELT LIGHT COME ON AT THE EXACT TIME. RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE I SEE I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO MENTION THIS DEFECT WITH THE 2006 SONATA AND FEEL THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO AIRBAGS IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE COST TO GET THIS FIXED IS AROUND $400.00 AND I AM TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIPS THEY KNOW IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND THAT MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS REGARDING IT. IT'S A DEFECT HAVING TO DO WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT/SEAT BELT. THIS CAN RESULT IN SOMEONE'S DEATH IF NOT ADDRESSED AND NEEDS TO NOT BE IGNORED, BUT CORRECTED BEFORE IT DOES. *TR
Visibility, Air bags, Sep 28, 2011
I OWN A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA (82K MILEAGE). THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. BASED ON A WEB SEARCH THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND ONE THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. [THE REASON FOR THE VISIBILITY COMPLAINT, THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAD BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SUNVISOR FAIL (ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANOTHER TIME)] I TOOK THE CAR TO A HYUNDAI DEALER WHO DID NOT CONSIDER THE PROBLEM WITHIN WARRANTY. THE DEALER DID NOTE THAT THE COST TO REPAIR COULD BE AS MUCH AS $1500.00 SINCE THE ENTIRE SEAT AND SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. FOLLOW UP CALLS TO HYUNDAI FOUND THAT, THOUGH THERE ARE HUNDREDS AND POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, THEY HAVE ELECTED NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL RELATED TO THE PROBLEM AS THEY DID FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS A VERY POPULAR CAR MODEL WITH A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS INVESTIGATION. I STRONGLY SUSPECT YOUR INVESTIGATION WILL ARRIVE AT THE SAME CONCLUSION AND WITH YOUR HELP MAYBE HYUNDAI WILL ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS FATALLY INJURED. HERE IS A WEB LINK WITH NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/HYUNDAI/SONATA/FRONTAL+AIRBAG THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP! *TT
Air bags, Sep 23, 2011
THE DRIVER AIRBAG SIGN LIT UP IN DASHBOARD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE BUCKLE SENSORS HAD FAILED. I ASKED HOW THIS HAPPENED AND THEY SAID, "THERE IS NOTHING YOU COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS" . IT HAPPENS AND YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH 2006 SONATA HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, Air bags, Aug 26, 2011
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA VISORS BOTH FAILED ONE AT A TIME REPLACED ONE FOR FREE CHARGE ME FOR OTHER RECALL ON PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR I HAVE RECALL PAPER THEY MAILED ME THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT. *TT
Air bags, Aug 18, 2011
IN 2008 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HYUNDAI STATING MY CAR WAS BEING RECALLED DUE TO THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THE LETTER STATED ONLY THOSE CARS WHICH HAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ARE AFFECTED. AT THE TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. IN 2010 THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT A HYUNDAI DEALER, AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THE LIGHT WAS ON BECAUSE OF A "BAD BATTERY". NOW A MONTH AGO THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ARE CLAIMING IT IS THE OCS SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS BAD. I INFORMED THEM OF THE RECALL, BUT THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF MY VEHICLE BEING PART OF THAT RECALL. I HAD CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORPORATE, AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT PARTICULAR CAMPAIGN WAS NO LONGER IN THEIR SYSTEM, SO THEY HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF MY CAR WAS PART OF THE RECALL OR NOT. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS MY CAR IS NOW 5K MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED ME OVER $1K TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *KB
Air bags, Aug 5, 2011
AIRBAG SENSOR UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. AIRBAG WILL NOT DELPOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TT
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 22, 2011, crash
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED SUSPENSION FAILURE CAUSED ACCIDENT. AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT DEPLOY BUT CAME ON AND STAYED ON GIVING ERROR CODE. TODAY THE AUTO BODY SHOP DOING THE REPAIRS TO MY CAR STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER'S IN BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE NOT WORKING AND BOTH NEED REPLACED AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG SENSORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE.
Air bags, Jul 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BAG FAILURE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND PROGRESSED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OCCUPANCY SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.