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: exterior lighting
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2011
2006 SONATA NOW HAS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THESE PROBLEMS MANIFEST THEMSELVES USUALLY WHEN THE GAS IS NOT BEING APPLIED, BUT NOT NECESSARILY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF AND THEN COME BACK ON; THE RADIO SOMETIMES WILL GO OFF AND THEN COME BACK ON; THE A/C FAN SOMETIMES SOUNDS AS IF IT HAS TURNED OFF AND THEN COMES BACK ON; SEVERAL TIMES I NOTICED THE ESC LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON WHEN THE RADIO AND LIGHTS AND AC TURNED OFF AND THEN CAME BACK ON. AT TIMES THESE OUTAGES WILL OCCUR WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED. ALL THESE HAPPENINGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT BUT THEY SAY THEY CAN'T GET IT TO REPEAT THE SYMPTOMS OR FIND A PROBLEM. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 9, 2011
I BOUGHT A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MODEL YEAR IN AUGUST 2005. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE REPLACED THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS AT LEAST 4 TIMES. ON TWO OF THOSE FOUR OCCASIONS, THE HEADLAMPS BURNED OUT AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS OF USE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FREQUENTLY BLEW OUT; THEY WERE REPLACED FIFTEEN TIMES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.
Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Oct 5, 2010
MY VEHICLE IS VICTIM TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V122000. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID FIXED IT BUT IT STILL DOES IT AND THEY SAID THEY CANT DO ANYTHING FOR ME SINCE THEY ALREADY PEFORMED FIX. I ALSO BROUGHT IN VEHICLE DO TO SEATBELT DEFECT. SEATBELT ON PASSENGER SIDE WONT CATCH UNLESS ALOT OF FORCE IS APPLIED WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED AS WELL, WHICH STILL EXISTS. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I CAN DO FOR MY NEXT STEP??? *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 22, 2010
SEE E-MAIL EXCHANGE: DEAR [XXX] : THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. WE APOLOGIZE YOU WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH OUR PREVIOUS EMAIL. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT IN YOUR 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WE UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN BE FRUSTRATING TO YOU. HOWEVER, WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT. IN ADDITION, THIS INFORMATION IS WITHHELD FROM YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL, AS IT IS ONLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BE COMPLETED BY AN AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO ENSURE IT IS DONE TO HYUNDAI SPECIFICATIONS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO COMPLETE THIS REPLACEMENT WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF YOUR DEALERSHIP, TO ENSURE IT IS DONE CORRECTLY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU PURCHASE A SERVICE MANUAL. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT REQUIRED. THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR BULB REPLACEMENT IS 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF FIRST USE (DFU), OR 12,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, FOR FACTORY DEFECT IN PART OR WORKMANSHIP ONLY. HYUNDAI'S WRITTEN WARRANTIES ARE LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENTS THAT CAN'T BE ALTERED OR EXTENDED FOR ANY REASON. IN ADDITION, HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS ARE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED, AND SET THEIR OWN PRICING ON VEHICLES THEY SELL AND SERVICES THEY PROVIDE. WE ARE UNABLE TO REGULATE ANY SERVICE COSTS, OR FORCE YOUR DEALERSHIP TO COMPLETE THE SERVICE FREE OF CHARGE. WE APOLOGIZE ABOUT ANY DISAPPOINTMENT THIS MAY CAUSE. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR REQUEST UNDER CASE # [XXX] . THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS. EMAIL RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRSHYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I FIND YOUR REPLY TO BE TOTAL [XXX] . YOU HAVE DESIGNED A SAFETY HAZARD INTO YOUR AUTOMOBILES. YOUR REPLY THAT I MUST EITHER PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE DEALER CHARGE OR PAY FOR A MAINT. MANUAL WHILE MY CAR WHICH IS 500 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY IS UNACCEPTABLE. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE FED. AGENCY IN CHARGE OF SAFETY HAZARDS. I OWN 2 HYUNDAI'S NOW. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2010
JULY 14, 2010: WHILE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT, I WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT NONE OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE WORKING. AFTER GOOGLING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED APRIL 14, 2009, NO. 09V122000, REGARDING THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. HAVING RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL, I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR ON JULY 31, 2009, WHILE MY CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THE RESULT WAS THAT THE "STOP LAMP SWITCH HAS CIRCUIT OPEN." THEY REPLACED THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND IT SEEMS THAT THE PREVIOUS RECALL "FIX" IS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION AND REMEDY THAT, NOT JUST REPLACE ONE DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH WITH ANOTHER. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 25, 2010
THE LIGHT BULB FOR THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA IS BURNED OUT. I WAS ADVISED BY BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI THAT IT WILL COST $ 85.00 TO REPLACE THE BULB BECAUSE THERE IS NO USER ACCESS TO THE BULB. THE DEALER MUST REMOVE THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT AND REAR DECK TO PERFORM THIS REPLACEMENT. AS I CANNOT AFFORD $ 85.00 AT THIS TIME, MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT REMAINS INOPERABLE. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER HYUNDAI'S BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 21, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V122000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: SWITCHES: BRAKE LIGHT) AND THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. ON A LATER DATE, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE BRAKES LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,166.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Apr 6, 2010
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE DEFECTIVE ENGINE-MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT AND ERRATIC RPM READING INVOLVING REDUCE ACCELERATION FM OWNER OF A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA LX. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE TAIL LIGHTS BURNED OUT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE ESC LIGHT WOULD BLINK WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND DUE TO THE ESC LIGHT BEING ON , THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME UN-DRIVABLE. *JB
Exterior lighting, Apr 1, 2010
HTTP://WWW.AUTOBLOG.COM/2009/04/20/MULTIPLE-HYUNDAI-RECALLS-FOR-BRAKE-LAMPS-AND-RUST-ISSUES-AFFECT/ HYUNDAI STATES THAT THEY DO NOT REPLACE THE LAMPS [BULBS] DUE TO THIS RECALL. CASE # 3905707 FROM AGENT ID # 54221 STATES THAT THE LAMPS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL DIRECTLY RELATES TO THEIR PREMATURE BURNING OUT.
Exterior lighting, Mar 15, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I OWN A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA, [XXX] , THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY BURNS OUT THE HEADLAMPS. SINCE PURCHASE IN 2006, THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH 4 SETS OF HEADLAMPS. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD AT NIGHT WHEN BOTH HEADLAMPS BURNED AT ONCE. THIS INCIDENT CREATED A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHERE SHE WAS MOMENTARILY TOTALLY UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS FAILURE MODE SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AND THEIR RESPONSE IS JUST TO RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF BULBS AS THEY BURN OUT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 13, 2010
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA 3RD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING HAS A DESIGN PROBLEM WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE BULB TO BE REPLACED BY THE OWNER. OF COURSE SHORT LIFE BULBS ARE USED SO THE LIGHT BURNS OUT QUICKLY. HYUNDAI'S SOLUTION IS TO BRING THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP AND PAY AROUND $75 FOR THEM TO TAKE OUT THE TRAY BETWEEN THE SEAT AND WINDOW TO GET TO THE BULB TO REPLACE. CONSEQUENTLY, WITH THE STRAINS OF THE ECONOMY MOST PEOPLE HAVE TO CHOOSE TO NOT REPLACE THE BULB. A PROPER DESIGN WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE CAR OWNER TO REPLACE THE BULB. THIS PROBLEM STARTED BACK IN 2008. *TR
Parking brake, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 15, 2009
AT FIRST IT WAS THE RADIO, TURNING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF WHEN I WOULD TRY TO LOWER THE VOLUME IT WOULD BE LOUDER. MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND TURN ON AGAIN, MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WILL TURN ON AS MY CAR WOULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SIGN IS ON AND THE BAG IT IS NOT DEPLOYED. THE ABS, ESC AND OTHER GLOW LIGHTS WILL TURN ON; SOMETIMES I CANT ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS OR LOCK THE CAR WITH THE BUTTON. NOW MY CAR WILL NOT START, NO POWER AND IT RESETS MY CLOCK. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY ARE GREEDY MONEY HUNGRY '!@#$% WHO DO NOT CARE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS, I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR AND ITS BEEN THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS THE ONLY THING FOUND WRONG. I HAVE ISSUES WITH THE CAR AT LEAST TWICE A DAY AND THREE TIMES ITS DIED COMPLETELY. THIS IS AN 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA IT SHOULD NOT GIVE ME THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 4, 2009
RECALL NOTICE FOR A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA CONCERNING MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP. *NJ THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. HE MADE AN APPOINTMENT, BUT WHEN HE ARRIVED HE WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN CORRECTED WHEN HE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WORK THE PREVIOUS MONTH. *JB
Exterior lighting, Sep 17, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE REAR DECK STOP LIGHT IN THE BACK WAS INOPERATIVE. THE FAILURE TO NOTIFY OTHER DRIVERS OF INTENTIONS INCREASED THE RISK FOR A VEHICLE CRASH. A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT DESIGN AN ACCESS PORT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE REAR DECK IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2009
I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA REGARDING THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. I KNEW I HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN ON JUNE 24, 2009, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME APPROXIMATELY $275.00 TO REPAIR. I CANNOT AFFORD SUCH REPAIR. THEN THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPT. CAME AND OFFERED TO REPAIR IT FOR LESS, BUT THAT HE WOULD CALL ME LATER WITH A QUOTE. I NEVER RECEIVED SUCH A CALL. TODAY, I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO SERVICE DEPT. AT 7:00 IN THE MORNING AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE UNTIL ABOUT 7:00 IN THE EVENING TO REPAIR, WHEN I TOLD THEM I COULD NOT BE WITHOUT A CAR THAT LONG, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO SEE IF EVEN MY CAR QUALIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. THE PERSON CAME BACK TO SAY THAT MY CAR DID NOT. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST. THE WOMAN TAKING DOWN MY INFORMATION DID NOT EVEN LISTEN TO THE OTHER THINGS I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT, SUCH AS A RUBBER (DO NOT KNOW CORRECT NAME) FELL OFF FROM THE SUNROOF AND OTHER ITEMS. SHE DID NOT EVEN HEAR ABOUT THOSE ITEM. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 20, 2009
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS BURNING OUT. *NJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ABS/ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE PROBLEM HE WAS EXPERIENCING. RECALL # 09V122000. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 29, 2009
THAT'S THE PROBLEM THERE IS NO SERIOUS EVENT LEADING UP TO THE PROBLEM. IT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE THESES CARS ARE NOT BUILT FOR SAFETY. I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS, HYUNDAI AND YOU ALL MAY NOT THINK SO BUT IT IS. IF IT WAS YOUR CAR THAT HAD ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS YOU WOULD BE COMPLAINING ALSO. PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE WITH MY HYUNDAI SONATA: PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON EVERY TIME YOU CRANK UP, AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASH BOARD ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (SENSORS GOING BAD IN THE CAR). IF ITS NOT EQUIPPED FOR THE CAR DON'T TRY SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE SPENDING OUT OF THE POCKETS AND THEN PAYING FOR A CAR ALSO. RECALLS ON 06 HYUNDAI SONATA WHAT'S THE PURPOSE IF IT CANT BE FIXED EVERYTHING ON THE RECALL LIST IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR. IF I HAD A SECOND CHANCE I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUT THAT '!@#$% FROM HYUNDAI. *TR
Power train, Exterior lighting, Apr 30, 2009
09V122000-I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR AS THEY HAVE NOT STARTED THEIR CAMPAIGN YET. MY CAR HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE ABS/ESC LIGHT IS ON IN THE DASH ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I CANNOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 20, 2006
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF HEADLIGHT ISSUES. VEHICLE FROM FACTORY WAS BLINDING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DEALER ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS SO LOW THAT THEY DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD FOR ANY REASONABLE DISTANCE. RETURN TRIP TO DEALER RESULTED IN HEADLIGHTS THAT DID AN EFFECTIVE JOB OF LIGHTING THE TREES ABOVE. THIRD TRIP TO DEALER HAS RESULTED IN HEADLIGHTS THAT DO NOT PROPERLY LIGHT THE ROAD FOR ANY DISTANCE. I HAVE ADJUSTED THEM ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE IN THE SERVICE MANUAL, AND THEY PERFORM SIMILARLY TO WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME FROM THE FACTORY. THEY AGAIN BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO THE POINT THAT I AM AGAIN BEING "FLASHED" BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT THE LIGHTS ARE VERY BRIGHT TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BY DRIVING TOWARDS THE SONATA IN ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHILE ANOTHER PERSON IS DRIVING THE SONATA. I HAVE RECEIVED CONCURRENCE THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION VIA AN INTERNET NEWSGROUP. THE DEALER ALSO STATES THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ON THIS ISSUE, AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE, AS THEY ARE "THE NEW EUROPEAN STYLE HEADLIGHTS, AND THEY ARE JUST BRIGHTER". *NM