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: electronic stability control (esc)
57 reports, newest first. Show all
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 5, 2015
CAR HESITATE TO START. ONCE ON ESC OFF LIGHT IS ON AND YOU CAN GO ANY FASTER THAN 15MPH. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND CRANK IT AGAIN THE LIGHT GOES OFF BUT YOU CAN GO PASS 2500 REMEMBER OR ELSE IT BUCKS AND JERKS AND ENGINE REVS BUT YOU CAN'T INCREASE YOUR SPEED. IT HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF RECALL FOR THE 3.3 LIKE ENGINE, BUT HYUNDAI WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE MY ENGINE IS 2.4L. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HYUNDAI ON APRIL 25, 2015.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 24, 2015
THE ESC OFF INDICATOR LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT START OF VEHICLE. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 9, 2015
THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY ON MY HYUNDAI SONATA 2006 MODEL KEEPS COMING UP INTERMITTENTLY. I CHECKED AND DID NOT FIND ANY OPEN RECALLS ON THIS. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH ON THE WEB THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON HYUNDAI ISSUE / PROBLEM ACROSS DIFFERENT HYUNDAI MODELS INCLUDING SONATA, SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY HYUNDAI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED THE ROOT CAUSE AND ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX THIS. IS THERE SOME OTHER COMMON RESOLUTION FOR THIS THAT NEED TO BE CARRIED OUT BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THE INTERIM?
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 19, 2015
ECS WARNING LIGHT ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN TURNING KEY IN IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE, WITH ESC AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON WHILE DRIVING.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 1, 2015
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE ABS/ESC LIGHT COME ON PERIODICALLY BUT USUALLY WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN THE ABS/ESC LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. BUT NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS WELL AS THE ABS/ESC LIGHT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON BUT THE ABS/ESC LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES FOR THE FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING. HYUNDAI SONATA 2006 3.3L V.6.
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
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 10, 2015
ON MARCH 9TH, 2015, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AFTER PICKING UP MY INFANT DAUGHTER FROM DAYCARE WHEN SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA; THE AIRBAG, ABS, AND ESC OFF WARNING LIGHTS. IN PREPARATION FOR THE UPCOMING LEFT TURN INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND COAST TO THE INTERSECTION. THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, BUT UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO THE SET CRUISE SPEED. I NOW APPLIED AS MUCH PRESSURE AS I POSSIBLY COULD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SET LIGHT DID NOT DISENGAGE. THE SONATA DOWNSHIFTED AND REVVED UP TO 4K RPM ATTEMPTING TO OVERPOWER MY BRAKING. AT THIS POINT IT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID THE INTERSECTION. I PLACED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND MEDIAN, AT THE TURN. THE SONATA SPUN OUT AND CAME TO REST IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES AFTER OVERSHOOTING THE TURN. I VERIFIED MY DAUGHTER WAS UNINJURED THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE SONATA, AT IDLE, THE REMAINING 1/8TH OF A MILE TO MY HOUSE. AFTER ARRIVING AT HOME, I VISITED HYUNDAI'S AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE RECALL INFORMATION WEB PAGES AND FOUND NO RECALLS REGARDING MY SONATA'S VIN. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 19, 2014
MY VEHICLE LIGHTS FOR THE ECS SYSTEM, SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG KEEPS ILLUMINATING. I TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI HERE IN JACKSONVILLE AND WAS TOLD THAT A DIAGNOSTIC FOR $94, WOULD NEED TO BE DONE TO SEE WHY THE ESC LIGHT IS ON. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL GO OFF WHEN THE SEAT CUSHION IS RECALIBRATED BUT, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY SEAT BELTS(BOTH), SO IT WILL STAY ON AND THEREFORE THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT, I PRAY THAT I DON'T GET INTO ANY ACCIDENTS TILL I FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. WHY AREN'T THE SEATS BELTS PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM? THEY WORK INCONJUNCTION WITH EACH OTHER.THE ESC WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN FIXED IN 09 BUT HERE IT IS 2014 AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN, THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A MINUTE TO RESTART IT ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME ON AGAIN ONCE I START TO DRIVE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR, IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE SAFE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 15, 2014
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ESC OFF LIGHT TURNED ON MY VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE G SENSOR AND ESC MODULE. RESEARCHED IN THE NET AND FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST FOR SIMILAR MODELS. THE COST OF REPLACING THE PIECE FROM OUT OF POCKET IS OUTRAGES AND NEED HELP IN GETTING ATTENTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO ADDRESS THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 4, 2014
VEHICLE SKIDS OF ROAD AND THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE AND ITS NOT GOING BACK. THE BACK WELLS ARE MAKING FUNNY NOISE AND VIBRATES AT SPEED OF OVER 50MPH. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 18, 2014
CASUAL DRIVING JUST PROCEEDING FROM A STOP SIGN AND SUDDENLY ESC FLASHES AND STEERING GOT STIFF AND BRAKES SEEMED TO STUTTER AND GRINDING SOUND WITHOUT MY PRESSING OF BRAKE. HAD COSTLY REPAIR DONE AT HYUNDAI DEALER AND EXACTLY 12 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM. THE ESC SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE AND DOES INTERRUPT NORMAL DRIVING EVEN IF THE ESC IS OFF. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 3, 2014
THE ESC OFF LIGHT TURNED ON BY ITSELF. WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON FOR THE ESC OFF, NOTHING HAPPENED. A FEW DAYS LATER I NOTICED A MINOR STUTTER-STEP OF THE CAR'S FORWARD MOTION WITH A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE, AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE ESC OFF LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THE ESC LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. AUGUST 27, 2014, I LEFT MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND PROCEEDED TO WORK, THEY "FOUND DAMAGE TO LEFT-FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND LEFT-FRONT TONE WHEEL. THEY ALSO STATED BOTH THE SPEED SENSOR AND LEFT-FRONT TONE WHEEL NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE FURTHER DIAGNOSIS COULD BE PERFORMED. AUGUST 30, 2014, I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 M.P.H. WHEN TRAFFIC AHEAD BEGAN SLOWING. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DIDN'T JUST STUTTER & GRIND, IT WAS LIKE ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WASN'T BRAKING AT ALL AND THE OTHER SIDE WAS BREAKING HARD. THE CAR JERKED SIDE TO SIDE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE THEN SEEMED TO RIGHT ITSELF. THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS NOW ILLUMINATED AGAIN. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ANY FASTER, OR IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC, THIS CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, NOT AN ERROR ON MY PART AS THE CONSUMER, AND BELIEVE THIS TO BE A LIFE AND DEATH SAFETY ISSUE. MY BRAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN WORKED ON AND THERE'S NO LOGICAL REASON FOR THE SPEED SENSOR AND LEFT-FRONT TONE WHEEL TO BE DAMAGED. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 30, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, AND SUDDENLY THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ABLE TO SWITCH IT OFF WITH ESC CONTROL BUTTON. ITS QUIET FREQUENT NOW WHENEVER CAR TOUCHES 60 MPH AND SOMETIME IT AUTOMATICALLY COMES WITHIN CITY DRIVING 30-40 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO WHEEL WORKS FOR THE CHECKUP AND THEY SUGGESTED TO GET IT CHECKED WITH DEALER AS IT COULD BE A SIGN OF A BIGGER PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO READ SEVERAL FORUMS AND COME TO KNOW THAT MANY CONSUMERS ARE FACING SIMILAR PROBLEM AND IT COULD BE RELATED TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS ALSO KNOWN PROBLEM TO HYUNDAI BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING A RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP IN ASSISTING ON THIS PROBLEM AND YOUR URGENT ACTION WILL BE APPRECIATED. *TR
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 22, 2014
OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW DAYS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED TO BE LIT CONTINUOUSLY WHILE AN OCCUPANT WAS IN THE SEAT. INITIALLY, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OUT AFTER A FEW MOMENTS. HOWEVER, AFTER APPROXIMATELY A WEEK OF THE ON/OFF, THE LIGHT THEN REMAINED LIT ANYTIME THE CAR WAS ON. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE ESC OFF LIGHT BEGAN TO LIGHT UP WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF/TURN ESC ON UNLESS THE CAR WAS STOPPED, TURNED OFF, AND THEN BACK ON. THE ISSUE HAS APPEARED SPORADICALLY, USUALLY WHEN ASSOCIATED WITH A TURN. IT HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES THUS FAR. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 21, 2014
ESC SENSOR WOULD LIGHT UP ON AND OFF. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. RESET THE SENSOR. THE ESC GOES ON AND OFF ALL OF THE TIME. IT WILL STAY ON FOR A MONTH AND THEN NOT BE ON FOR 2 MONTHS. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE FROM OTHER BOARDS THAT I HAVE SEEN. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 27, 2014
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND ZERO SPEED NOTICE MY ABS AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON TIME TO TIME . AND NOTICE MY LIGHTS GO OUT FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE BACK STOP LIGHTS. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V316000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE SWITCH BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE AIR BAGS, BRAKES, AND BATTERY WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MODULE AND THE SENSOR BOX TO THE ESC WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AS IT STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 25, 2013
I TURNED THE CAR ON AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS INDICATED ALL AFFECTED PARTS LISTED ABOVE WENT ON. DROVE THE CAR FOR 3 MILES AND SHUT IT OFF FOR 2 HOURS. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE READ MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, BUT HAVEN'T SEEN A RESOLUTION THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUES GOD FORBID THE AIR BAGS DON'T EJECT IN A ACCIDENT. WHAT DO I DO?? *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 13, 2013
NOTICED A SHIMMY VIBRATION LOUDER THAN NORMAL WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY, UPON EXITING ON MAIN ROAD HEARD VERY LOUD THUMP BANG ON LEFT REAR DRIVERS SIDE. I ASSUMED IT WAS A BLOW OUT AS I COULDN'T STEER THE CAR (PULLING TO RIGHT) BUT MANAGED TO MAKE INTO PARKING LOT OFF THE MAIN. UPON INSPECTION LEFT REAR TIRE STILL ON CAR NOT FLAT, BUT ON A TOTAL SLANT APPROX 45 DEGREE. I WAS VERY GLAD TO BE OFF HIGHWAY HOWEVER STILL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER TOWING TO GARAGE, MECHANIC CALLED ME LATER AND SAID THE ENTIRE REAR SUB-FRAME ROTTED AND BROKE FROM CAR NEEDING TO REPLACE EVERYTHING SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME, INCLUDING CONTROL ARMS, AND WOULD NEED AN ALIGNMENT, HE ALSO SAID THAT'S WHY MY TIRES WORE DOWN QUICKER THAN USUAL DUE TO SUSPENSION ISSUE. I DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER SINCE CAR NO LONGER ON WARRANTY, AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET FOR USED PARTS (COULD NOT AFFORD NEW PARTS AS MECHANIC'S ESTIMATE WAS ALREADY AT THE $1800.00 MARK) WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ALREADY POSTED WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I DID REPAIR THE CAR WITH A TOTAL BILL (USED/RECYCLED PARTS) FOR $1567.00. I STILL DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. WHY WOULD IT TAKE SO LONG TO HAVE A RECALL...IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS A DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS CRASH, FATALITY SERIOUS INJURY AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY HYUNDAI FOR REPAIR OR FULL REIMBURSEMENT. *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 14, 2013
EARLIER IN THE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING WITH MY NEPHEW AND SISTER, THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT, THE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AND WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, TURNING A CORNER, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE DRIVER REAR SIDE. I STOPPED AND SAW A LARGE RUSTY METAL PIECE HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME ON THAT SIDE AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD, THE WHEEL WAS TIPPED OUT WOBBLY. I KNEW IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. I CALLED AAA AND HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. DUE TO HOLIDAY WEEKEND, MY HUSBAND SAW THE MECHANIC ON MONDAY 7/8/13, WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A REAR SUBFRAME CORROSION AND FAILURE. HE ADVISED US TO CHECK FOR A RECALL AS HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH A PRIOR FRONT FRAME RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO. HE HAD OTHER REPAIRS AHEAD OF US, SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC 15 MILES AWAY. WHEN OUR MECHANIC GOT IT ON THE LIFT WE WERE TOLD THE DAMAGE WAS VERY SEVERE: THE REAR END WAS ROTTED, NEEDING REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT OF REAR CROSSMEMBER, 2 UPPER AND 2 LOWER ARMS, L/R UPPER CONTROL ARM AND JOINT, WITH REAR SHOCKS AND MOUNTS, AND ALIGNMENT.WE CALLED HYUNDAI REGIONAL OFFICE, OPENED CASE # 5870260. THE AGENT REPORTED NO RECALLS AND THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT HE STATED HE WAS "VERY FAMILIAR" WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS. HE ADVISED CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP, AS THEY MAY BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING. (HERB CHAMBERS OF AUBURN, MA.) THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED US TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM AT OUR EXPENSE (40MI.) HIS LACK OF EMPATHY AND TELLING US THAT HYUNDAI WOULD TAKE LITTLE OR NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS, OUTSIDE OF A RECALL, PROMPTED US TO HAVE OUR MECHANIC DO THE WORK. REPAIRS WERE DONE WITH HYUNDAI FACTORY PARTS, ($2,640 INCLUDING LABOR). WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A DEFECT WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY, AND/OR DEATH HAD IT HAPPENED IN ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 30, 2013
MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE BRAKING EVEN AFTER RECALL WAS CORRECTED FOR THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE CONSISTENTLY EITHER. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 19, 2013
WHILE TURNING CORNERS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL. RESTART CAR AND IT WORKS AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY. BRAKE LIGHTS REPLACED FREQ. CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS. ESC LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. HAD TO USE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE NUMEROUS TIMES FOR 2 DAYS AT A TIME. I AM UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR PARK AND I HAVE TO USE THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TO MOVE THE GEARS. HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER STOP WORKING A FEW SECONDS AT A TIME. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOR A FEW DAYS AT A TIME. IF I HIT THE BRAKES HARD THE ESC LIGHT WILL COME ON AND DO NOT GO OFF FOR DAYS. CIGARETTE LIGHTERS REPLACED AND ONE STILL WILL NOT WORK. HEAD LIGHTS DIM INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES AND HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND TIME OFF WORK AND PROBLEMS RETURN QUICKLY. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 26, 2012
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FROM A FAMILY EVENT DOING 65 MILES AN HOUR. EXPERIENCED EXTREME INSTABILITY. ESC LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD MAKING US THINK PROBLEM WAS ELECTRONIC. CONTINUING AT A REDUCED SPEED, THE CAR CONTINUED TO DART TO LEFT. ON A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP, THE CAR DARTED TOWARD THE LEFT HAND GUARDRAIL, WITH REAR TIRE SQUEALING. WE WERE STILL 50 MILES FROM HOME. LIMPED THE CAR HOME TO BRING TO OUR MECHANIC. WE TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE IN CT. THE MECHANIC PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND INSPECTED IT. FOUND IT TO HAVE EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME IN THE BACK END. WE COULD OF BEEN KILLED. HE TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 15, 2012
THE ESC COMES ON EVERYDAY I START THE CAR THEN IT COMES OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. *TR