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: electrical system
86 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2015
THIS SONATA HAD ELECTRIC PROBLEMS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING (CLIMATE CONTROL, LIGHT BULBS, BRAKE LIGHTS, SIDE MIRROR CONTROL, WINDOW CONTROL, CABIN LIGHTS, ETC.). MOST OF THE LIGHT BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MANY TIMES EITHER BY THE DEALER WHEN IT WAS STILL COVERED BY WARRANTY OR BY MYSELF. THE MOST RECENT ROUND OF REPLACEMENT WAS ON JULY 3 FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT, DRIVER'S SIDE TURN LIGHT (YELLOW) AND REAR LEFT BACK OFF LIGHT. I FINALLY STARTED TO QUESTION IF THE FUSES WERE MISPLACED. AFTER CHECKING CAREFULLY THE FUSE TYPES AND LABELED SPECIFICATIONS OF BOTH THE ENGINE AND CABIN FUSE PANELS, I FOUND THREE FUSES IN THE CABIN PANEL WERE NOT THE SAME AS THE OWNER'S MANUAL DESCRIBED. THEY ARE (WRONG FUSES IN THE PARENTHESES): FS19 20A (25A), FS6 10A (15A), AND FS5 25A (20A). I REARRANGED ALL THREE FUSES ACCORDING TO THE SPECIFICATION ON THE OWNER'S MANUAL (P. 6-41). HYUNDAI SHOULD BE LEGALLY AND FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS, WHICH OCCURRED DURING THE ASSEMBLY BUT LED TO COUNTLESS FRUSTRATIONS AND EVEN SAFETY PROBLEMS WHEN THOSE LIGHTS WERE DOWN FREQUENTLY.
Steering, Electrical system, May 4, 2015
WENT TO CRANK CAR PUT IT IN REVERSE BATTERY LIGHT CAME HOME N HAD NO STEERING FOR A MINUTES THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SO FAR. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 23, 2015
I TURNED ON IGNITION AND, AS USUAL, ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON THEN DISAPPEARED, AS USUAL. HOWEVER, THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT RETURNED ON AND THE WARNING CHIMES HAVE BEEN RINGING EVER SINCE .IF A PASSENGER SITS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THEN THE LIGHT STAYS OFF. JIGGLING OF WIRES UNDERNEATH THE SEAT DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Seat belts, Apr 20, 2015
THIS IS THE SECOND REPAIR OF BUCKLE ASSY- FRONT (FIRST REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN 2009). I PAID FOR THE SECOND REPAIR ON 6/25/14 AS THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER SAID IT WAS A ONE-TIME RECALL AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. (PART: 88840-0A000-QS) NEEDED IT DONE FOR SAFETY SO I PAID; BUT, IT BOTHERED ME THAT IT WAS A RECALL AND I HAD PAID NEARLY $260. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR (2015) AND AFTER TALKING TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE FOUND THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT SHOULD COVER THE COST. AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS, MAILING INVOICE WITH CHECK NUMBER, FAXING SAME ON 3/20/15, I GOT A PHONE CALL TODAY REQUIRING ME TO UPLOAD A FILE TO A PARTICULAR WEBSITE. I CALLED AND WENT THRU 2 MORE PEOPLE, ONE OF WHOM HAD MY HARD COPY INVOICE DOCUMENT IN HAND, COULD NOT ENTER MY PERSONAL INFO. (PHONE #, ADDRESS, EMAIL ADDRESS) AND, WAS NOT IN THE DEPT. THAT HANDLED THE "CAMPAIGN" REFUND; SHE TRANSFERRED ME TO "SWEETIE" WHO STILL INSISTED I MUST CREATE A JPG FILE OF MY INVOICE TO POST TO THE NEW WEBSITE. (I AM 62 BUT FIGURED IT OUT, OTHERS WON'T. I HAVE DOGGEDLY PURSUED MY REFUND BUT HYUNDAI IS MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE (WHICH I TOLD THEM). TODAY IS 4/20/15. WAITING FOR NEXT RIDICULOUS REQUIREMENT. TOO MANY PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES TO LIST HERE. ALSO HAD VALVE COVER OIL LEAK REPAIRED ON 6/25/14 AND BASED ON A COMPLAINT SEEN ON THIS SITE, I AM WAITING FOR A SECOND OCCURRENCE. INSTALLED 22453-3C110 GASKET-ROCKER COVER LH, REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET. WE CAN COMPLAIN ALL DAY BUT NOBODY IS STREAMLINING THE RECALL REPAIR PROCESS. AT LEAST I FINALLY DISCOVERED THIS WEBSITE WHICH I AM SAVING TO FAVORITES. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 6, 2015
DRIVING ON MY WAY TO AN EARLY LAB APPOINTMENT 645 AM. WHEN I GOT ABOUT 2 MILES FROM DESTINATION DOING 40 MPH, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FOLLOWED BY THE ESC LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, AIRBAG LIGHT, SEATBELT LIGHT BLINKING, AND LIGHTS ON DASH DIMMING., WHEN I STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE SPEED ODOMETER STILL READ 40. WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I WENT TO STEP ON GAS, AND CAR WOULD HARDLY MOVE, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF ROAD SAFELY. I TURNED CAR OFF, DEAD. I WALKED FROM WHERE I LEFT CAR, TO APPOINTMENT ALMOST 2 MILES EACH WAY .I AM A HEART PATIENT[ HAVE AN ARTIFICIAL VALVE AND A DEFIBRILLATOR\ AND THIS EPISODE UPSET ME. I READ TODAY,THAT THIS HAPPENS TO HYUNDAI SONATAS. WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE VEHICLE, I ARRANGED IT TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS, IF SO WE HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ONE, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN OWNED BY US SINCE 2009. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 29, 2015
UNDER REGULAR DRIVING CONDITIONS THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BECOME SO HARD THAT THEY COULD NOT BE PRESSED DOWN, THE SPEED WOULD DECLINE TO 5 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR WOULD START SMOKING. THE ABS AND ESC LIGHT WOULD COME AND WOULDN'T GO OFF UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF. THIS S DUE TO A FAULTY ABS HECU UNIT (HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT) AND THE RIGHT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI WHO WOULDN'T PAY THE DEALER TO FIX MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS V6 WITH 65,263 MILES. THEY ADVISED THAT THE ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE ABS HECU UNIT IS FAULTY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND FELLOW DRIVERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 14, 2015
OIL LEAKED FROM VALVE COVER ONTO ALTERNATOR. ENGINE STALLED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON RURAL MOUNTAIN ROAD. FINALLY GOT TOWED HOME. MECHANIC SAYS IT WILL COST NEARLY $1000 TO REPLACE VALVE COVER GASKETS AND ALTERNATOR. CAR IS 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 3.3L 6CYL ENGINE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE AND SAME PROBLEM THAT PROMPTED THE RECALL ON 2007 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V415000. THE EXISTING RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE HYUNDAI VEHICLE MODELS THAT EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE ACCELERATING, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED VARIOUS GEARS BEING SHIFTED AND THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,596.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 16, 2014
THE SYSTEM WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED, THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. EVALUATION SHOWED THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED AND WAS COVERED WITH ENGINE OIL WHICH HAD LEAKED FROM THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. THIS FAILURE IS THE SAME AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V415000, WHICH COVERS ANOTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 14, 2014
IN 12/21/09 AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED CHIP RELATED TO AIR BAG SYSTEM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BROKEN AND I WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. INVOICE # [XXX] (DENNIS HYUNDAI OF DUBLIN) REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT $500 TO $900. CALLED HYUNDAI WITH A COMPLAINT. THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN CALLED WE HAD A MEETING. I PAID $ 175.03 TO REPLACE THE CHIP. THEY ALSO REPAIRED PASSENGER SEAT PER NHTSA RECALL 13V-354 (NOTE THE RECALL REPAIR ONLY WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR). AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOTH THE DEALER AND LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ONE AND THEN SOMETIMES WHEN I STOPPED RESET ITS SELF OR THE DEALER/REPAIR SHOP COULD RESET THE LIGHT. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM STARTED TO ACT UP AFTER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON THEN GOES OFF THE RADIO WILL COME IN LOUD THE GET QUIET. THE CONSTANT HOWEVER IS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT. I HAD THE SEAT BELT (DRIVER SIDE) CHANGED (TWICE) IN 2011 AS THE FIRST REPLACEMENT IN DID NOT WORK. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN CAME BACK ON. IT WILL NOT RESET SO THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED BY HYUNDAI. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2014
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTRE DIAGNOSED THAT IT IS THE DRIVER SEAT BELT PROBLEM HENCE NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT FOR AROUND $500. WHEN I SEARCHED ON INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS THE FACTORY PROBLEM HENCE I THINK IT SHOULD BE COMPANY RECALLED AND SHOULD BE FIX FOR FREE. *TR
Electrical system, Seat belts, Jul 31, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALER UNSURE OF CAUSE. SUSPECTS SENSOR IN SEATBELT. MAY PREVENT AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 3, 2014
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPUTTERED A BIT AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR THEN WOULD BARELY MOVE OVER 15-20 MPH. WE FOUND OUT THAT THESE ARE THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF A TPS ISSUE, FOR WHICH HYUNDAI ISSUED TSB 10-FL-010. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALL OF THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS FROM THAT TSB TWICE WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. AT LEAST TWICE IT HAS OCCURRED ON THE INTERSTATE, AND I FELT WE WERE LUCKY TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE WITHOUT ANOTHER CAR RUNNING INTO US. I AM EXTREMELY WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS WE WON'T BE AS FORTUNATE, AND SOMEONE CAN BE SERIOUSLY HURT. THIS IS ALSO A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH HYUNDAIS. FRANKLY, I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF SOMEONE HAS ALREADY BEEN HURT BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM ALSO SURPRISED HYUNDAI HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR FOUND A BETTER SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND URGENT SAFETY ISSUE. IN FACT, WE WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF THE CAR, BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR, NOR AM I TOO KEEN ON INFLICTING THIS PROBLEM ON SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON THINKING THEY ARE BUYING A GOOD, RELIABLE CAR. PLEASE TRY TO PRESSURE HYUNDAI TO COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 13, 2014
HEAD LIGHTS DIMS, FLICKERS, DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIMS, RADIO SHUT OFF WHEN SLOWING SPEED, SOMETIMES BRAKES LIGHT COME ON. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 2, 2014
FIRST OF ALL THE TIME AND MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATE. WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN TURNING OFF THE PARKING/DASHBOARD LIGHTS IN OUR 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. FLICKING THE STALK BACK AND FORTH A FEW TIMES WOULD EVENTUALLY TURN THEM OFF. I ASKED MY MECHANIC AND CALLED 2 LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERS AND ALL AGREED THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUSE/RELAY BOX. AFTER CONSULTING A FEW HYUNDAI FORUMS I LEARNED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM AFFECTING SOME 2006 AND 2007 HYUNDIAS AND THAT OWNERS WERE PAYING BETWEEN $700 TO $1200 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PART. MANY OWNERS ARE UPSET THAT HYUNDAI DOES NOT ISSUE A RECALL. ON MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 THE STALK STOPPED WORKING. A CALL TO HYUNDAI NORTH AMERICA NOT ONLY RESULTED IN NO HELP IN FINDING OUT WHICH FUSE WOULD DISABLE THE LIGHTS BUT ALSO ASSURED ME THAT HYUNDAI SEEMS TO EXPECT THE LIFE OF SUCH PARTS TO LAST JUST PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION DATE. I DECIDED TO PULL OUT THE RELAY LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHICH TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS (AMONG OTHER THINGS). THE NEXT DAY WHEN MY WIFE LEFT WORK AFTER INSERTING THE RELAY BACK IN, SHE COULDN'T GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND SLOWLY THINGS STARTED TO STOP WORKING SUCH AS THE HEATED SEAT AND THE REAR DEFOGGER. ONCE HOME, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND ROAD-TESTED THE CAR. EVERYTHING WORKED NORMAL; HOWEVER, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2014 I BOUGHT A BATTERY QUICK-DISCONNECT AND WIRED THE OTHER END TO THE EXISTING HYUNDAI POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. NOW, WHILE WE WAIT WEEKS (POSSIBLY MONTHS) TO HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THIS PART REPLACED, MY WIFE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE WORK AND IN A DARK PARKING LOT, RECONNECT THE BATTERY USING THIS QUICK-DISCONNECT TOOL. WHILE THE CAR SITS AT HOME AND AT HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, IT REMAINS UNLOCKED WITH NO ALARM, I CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THIS ALONG WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE READING OF THE GAUGES FLUCTUATED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 8, 2013
I ONLY PUT 2 ITEMS BUT I HAVE OTHER CAMPAIGNS IN WITH SAME CARE BUT IM DRIVING THE CAR AND I LOOSE POWER IN CAR TO EVERYTHING LIKE IT WAS SHUT OFF AT KEY THEN GOES BACK ON DOES IT LIKE 2 OR 3 TIMES A WEEK I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR DUE TO NO POWER TO BRAKES THEN CAR JUST GOES RIGHT BACK ON WITHOUT TOUCHING ANYTHING OTHER PROBLEMS NEVER HEARD BACK IS THE ISSUE WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK LEAK DUE TO THE METAL ON TOP RUSTING AND CRACKS PLASTIC TANK CAUSE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON THEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION CLUNKING SINCE I BOUGHT IT 2 YRS AGO BUT DEALERSHIP CANT FIND NOTHING ITS THE UPPER CONTROL ARM MY AIRBAG LIGHT IN DRIVER CLUSTER WAS ON WHEN I BOUGHT IT DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT SAME DAY I BOUGHT IT WENT FOR STATE INSPECT WOULDN'T PASS THE FUSE WAS PULLED SO LIGHT STAYS OFF THIS CAR IS A LEMON THEY SHOULD REPAIR OR BUY IT BACK I PUT MORE IN CAR IN 2 YEARS THAN WHAT I PAID FOR IT SO FAR AND STILL NEEDS MORE WORK. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME EXTREMELY DIM AND LIMITED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN FAILED TO OPERATE DUE TO A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 20, 2013
THE DUMMY AIRBAG LIGHT IN MY 2006 SONATA HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW YEARS. THE LAST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN TO SERVICE, IN JULY 2012- I WAS TOLD THAT MY PASSENGER SEAT MAY NEED TO BE SENT OUT, BUT THAT I WOULD ALSO NEED 2 NEW SEAT BELTS. I WAS TOLD THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT.THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO TURN THE DUMMY LIGHT OFF BUT ONLY FOR A DAY OR TWO. THIS NOVEMBER 2013, THE SEAT WAS SENT OUT TO CA UNDER A RECALL NOTICE I WAS SENT BY HYUNDAI, AND I PAID TO HAVE MY SEAT BELTS REPLACED, BUT I FEEL THE WHOLE THING IS RELATED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. EVERYONE I HAVE SPOKEN TO ABOUT IT FEELS THE SAME WAY. THE SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT COST $350 PER SEAT EXCLUDING TAX. HYUNDAI HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM (THROUGH MY DEALER) SINCE JULY 2012 AND THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN ONGOING FOR MONTHS PRIOR TO ME TAKING IT IN FOR SERVICING, NOT REALIZING IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I MISSED THE 5 YEAR 60K WARRANTY PROBABLY BY 10K MILES OR LESS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OTHER SONATA OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR SEAT BELTS AND WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD BE SUING HYUNDAI TO HAVE THEM COVER THIS "REPAIR". I COULD GET NO STATISTICS FROM HYUNDAI WHEN I CALLED THEM REGARDING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE EXPLANATION PROVIDED TO ME IS THAT THEY ARE SEPARATE PROBLEMS, NOT INTER-RELATED AND THAT THE SEAT BELT ISSUE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THE SERVICE CENTER WAS GIVEN A CODE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN AFTER BEING PLACED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SOLENOID HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 28, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY SISTERS CAR AND NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM AND THEN COME BACK ON AFTER A SECOND.. I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO GET GAS AND A GENTLEMAN PULLED IN NEXT TO ME SAYING HE TURNED AROUND TO LET ME KNOW MY LIGHTS FLICKERED DULL TO BRIGHT. HE SAID A FRIEND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR SONATA AND HAD IT TO DEALER MANY TIMES AND NO FIX. HE SAID THEY TRADED FOR A HONDA. MY SISTER LOVES THIS CAR AND ITS PAID FOR, BUT IF THIS IS A PROBLEM, IS THERE A RECALL? *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 3, 2013
ABOUT 2-3 YEARS AGO, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE AND TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE OR PATTERN, UNTIL IT REACHED A POINT OF STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. TO ME, THIS INDICATES AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM DIAGNOSED SPECIFICALLY, ALTHOUGH AT ONE POINT, MY MECHANIC MENTIONED OFF HAND THAT I HAD A BROKEN SEAT BELT, BUT, AFTER I LOOKED THEM OVER MYSELF, ALL SEAT BELTS FUNCTIONED PERFECTLY FINE, SO I DID NOT REPLACE ANY OF THEM. THIS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE WARNING LIGHT, HOWEVER, RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS WARNING LIGHT MAY BE ON FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS, AND MOST CASES INVOLVE EXPENSIVE AND UNRELIABLE REPAIRS, AND THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS WITHOUT REASON. BECAUSE OF THIS, I HAVE ELECTED NOT TO PAY TO HAVE IT "FIXED." IT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL THIS YEAR, WHEN MY CAR ONLY BARELY PASSED INSPECTION (PRIOR INSPECTORS HAVE APPARENTLY NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT). READING FURTHER, I AM EVEN LESS INCLINED TO FIX IT - SPENDING $1500 ON A REPAIR THAT HAS REPORTS OF RE-OCCURRENCE ON A 7-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE SEEMS SILLY. HOWEVER, I'M LODGING THE COMPLAINT HERE ANYWAY. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO GET A DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER TO DIAGNOSE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 27, 2013
ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNS ON, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE CAR STALLS. ONCE I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT RUNS AS NORMAL. ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS, THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, BUT CAR STILL DRIVES, THEN THE SEATBELT LIGHT FLASHES ON FOR MAY 20 SECONDS, THEN ALL LIGHTS GO OFF AND THE CAR DRIVES BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM, SO NO FIX CAN BE PERFORMED. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Oct 31, 2012
TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER WINDOW OPERATOR ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. TODAY THE POWER WINDOW ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS NOT WORKING AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE BAD SOLENOIDS ON THREE DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED. BOTH SUN VISORS ON THE CAR WERE REPLACED DUE TO MALFUNCTION. THE COVER ON AUTOMATIC CAR SEAT OPERATORS KEEPS ON FALLING DOWN. THE CASSETTE PLAYER IN THE CAR WAS REPLACED DUE TO BAD DESIGN OF THE ORIGINAL PLAYER. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 10, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START AND ONCE STARTED, IT WAS RESISTANT TO BE TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT A FUSE IN THE JUNCTION BOX WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLACE THE FAILED FUSE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE JUNCTION BOX. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE JUNCTION BOX WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 10/11/12*LJ UPDATED 10/15/2012 *JS