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, Equipment, Jun 16, 2009
REPLACED BRAKES WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES ,THEN AGAIN AT 37,000 MILES, NOW IM AT 41,000 MILES AND MY BRAKES ARE MAKING NOISES AGAIN. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW,IT STOPPED GOING UP AND DOWN IN THE FIRST YEAR I HAD THE CAR. I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR WINDOW REPLACED DUE TO THE ANTENNA IN THE WINDOW BEING BROKEN, WHEN I TURNED THE REAR DEFROSTER ON THE RADIO HAD ALOT OF STATIC. SINCE THE WINDOW HAS BEEN REPLACED IT NO LONGER DEFROST , I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY TELL ME IT WORKS FINE. THEY TESTED IT INSIDE A WARM BUILDING. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WHICH THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM, WHEN DRIVING AND EITHER THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER IS ON AND LIGHTS AT SAME TIME , WHEN YOU BRAKE THE LIGHTS DIM AND THE CONDITIONER/HEATER GOES LOW, ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHT WILL DIM AS WELL. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. IM VERY DISGUSTED WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES IDENTICAL TO THE ONES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MUST BE DUPLICATED ON-SITE IN ORDER FOR RECALL REPAIRS TO BE MADE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Electrical system, Nov 17, 2007
ESC AND ABS LIGHT, SHIFTER CONTROL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 22, 2007
I HAD NOTICED AT FIRST THE CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD IN 2006 RIGHT AFTER I HAD PURCHASED MY CAR. THEY REPLACED THE DASHBOARD, BUT NOT CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. WHEN I FINALLY GOT MY CAR BACK, I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY CAR ON, AT THAT TIME ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS OF MY CAR WENT OUT. THERE WERE WIRES THAT WERE APPARENTLY SWITCHED. AT THIS TIME I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND INFORMED THEM OF THE NEW PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FIXED. AFTER THEY REPLACED THE DASHBOARD I STARTED TO HAVE PROBELMS WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHTS GOING ON.THE TURNED THEM OFF AND STATED IT WAS MY FAULT. ABOUT THREE MONTHS LATER BOTH AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. AT THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO LOOKED UP INFORMATION ON THE COMPUTER AND STATED THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT AGAIN. SOMEONE WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND SHUT THEM OFF BUT NO PAPERWORK WAS WRITTEN UP. THEN ANOTHER 3 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN AND THERE WAS ANOTHER CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. I CALLED THE ORIGINAL DEALER AGAIN AND THEY ORDERED ANOTHER DASHBOARD FOR THE CAR. AT THIS TIME I ASKED THEM AGAIN TO CHECK TO SEE ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHTS. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A WEEK NOW (I STILL DO NOT HAVE IT BACK). WHILE ALL THE AIR BAG LIGHTS ISSUE WAS HAPPENING, THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE ABS AND ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) LIGHTS ALSO COMING ON AND NOT GOING OFF. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THE THE ABS AND ESC LIGHT WAS COMING ON BECAUSE THERE IS A BRAKING ISSUE WITH THE CAR. AND THE AIRBAG LIGHTS THAT KEEP COMING ON AND STAYING ON IS BECAUSE OF A SENSOR ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. THEY ARE ALSO NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE BRAKE ISSUE WITH THE ABS AND ESC LIGHTS. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 19, 2007
AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEM THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHOW THAT IT WAS GETTING HOT. I FOUND THAT YOU COULD MAKE THE TEMPERATURE GO UP AND DOWN JUST BY ADJUSTING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AC. THE CAR WOULD RUN FINE THEN THE TEMP WOULD RED LINE IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS AND DROP BACK TO NORMAL. AFTER THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER SHIP. THEY CHANGED EVERY THING IN THE CAR FROM THE DASH CLUSTER TO THE WATER SENSOR AND EVERY THING BETWEEN. AFTER 2.5 WEEKS THEY SENT AN ENGINEER FROM THERE MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY FOUND THE GROUND BAD. I WAS GIVEN A LONER CAR AND THEY TOOK CAR OF ALL THE ISSUES UNDER WARRANTY.
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE RADIO AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FOLLOWING PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED: THE ALTERNATOR, FUSE BOX, COMPUTER, ELECTRICAL HARNESS, AND THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 15,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 12, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA LX, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A RACING ROARING NOISE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GO 10 MPH, BUT HE COULDN'T STOP IT. HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. THE CONTACT SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A FEW MINUTES, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE LET IT SIT. HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT DID TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS AND THE DEALERSHIP DID CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO MAKE SURE THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE TIGHTENED, AND TO CHECK AND CLEAN ALL TERMINALS. THIS WAS DONE IN JANUARY 10, 2007. THE CONTACT HASN'T HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS SINCE. THE CONTACT WANTED NHTSA TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, HE HAS SENT THE MANUFACTURER A LETTER REGARDING THIS PROBLEM ON 01/20/07 AND HADN'T GOTTEN ANY RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7050.*AK
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 26, 2006
AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PASSENGER (130+ LBS) IS SEATED PROPERLY IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, INDICATING THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT GO OFF. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM REPEATEDLY AND RANDOMLY SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE 9/05, AND HAVE REQUESTED ACTION AT EACH WARRANTY SERVICING. (22,500 MI CURRENTLY) EACH TIME THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THE DIAGNOSTICS DO NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS WORKING PROPERLY. THEY SAY THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS FROM HYUNDAI ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THERE ARE AT LEAST 15 COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS OF 12/06. I AM VERY UPSET BY THIS APPARENT LACK OF CARING ON HYUNDAI'S PART ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR PASSENGERS. JUST BECAUSE THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM CAN'T BE REPRODUCED AT THE DEALER'S DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PASSENGERS ARE NOT EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A WAY TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM EVEN IF IT CAN'T BE OBSERVED IN THE MOMENT, EVEN IF IT MEANS REPLACING THE PARTS IN THE SEQUENCE TILL THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. *NM
Air bags, Electrical system, Nov 26, 2006
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR WORKS NORMALLY EXCEPT UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS CONCERNING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT: 1. PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED - INDICATOR IS OFF. 2. PASSENGER TEMPORARILY LEAVES SEAT - INDICATOR IS ON. 3. PASSENGER RETURNS TO SEAT - INDICATOR REMAINS ON. 4. INDICATOR REMAINS ON UNTIL THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON. OBVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER IS IN MORTAL DANGER IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF CONDITION ESCAPES NOTICE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I ASKED SERVICE PERSONNEL ABOUT THIS AND THE ANSWER WAS, " OH, THAT'S NORMAL." IT MAY BE "NORMAL" BUT IT IS DANGEROUS DESIGN OR AN ERROR. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Electrical system, Oct 12, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DIDN'T LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. UPDATED 11/21/06.*JB
Electrical system, Apr 18, 2006
BOUGHT A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA MARCH 18, 2006 AT OURISMAN HYUNDAI IN LAUREL, MD. A WEEK LATER, MARCH 25, 2006, HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE ENGINE OVER HEATED, WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, DUE TO THE FANS NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED A FAN MODULE AND PLACED IT IN MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP ALLOWED ME TO TAKE ANOTHER BRAND NEW 2006 SONATA AS A LOANER UNTIL MY CAR WAS FIXED. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP I DID NOT WANT MY CAR BACK AND TO GIVE ME ANOTHER 2006 SONATA. AFTER DAYS OF CALLING BACK TO SEE IF THEY WOULD, THEY REFUSED. PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2006. APRIL 18, 2006 BOUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE A/C WAS NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE FANS ARE NOT WORKING AND THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THEY ARE RENTING A CAR FOR ME UNTIL MY CAR IS FIXED. *JB