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: seat belts
102 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 18, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON EVERY OTHER YEAR. I AM HAVING THIS ISSUED FOR THREE TIME AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME AND THEN THEY PUT NEW SEAT BELT BUCKLE IT GOES AWAY FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IN 2010 IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED IN 2012, AND THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED IN 2014. *TR
Seat belts, Mar 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY PRE TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,897.
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 21, 2013
CAR WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR OCS RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RECALL. A FEW HOURS LATER DEALER CALLED TO ADVISE THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE OCS AIR BAG. I WAS TOLD THE CODE ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIGHT BEING ON INDICATING "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" RELATED TO THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER NOT WORKING, NOT THE OCS. SINCE THE SEAT BELT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I ASKED THE DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF IT AT NO CHARGE TO ME. THE DEALER (RICK CASE HYUNDAI IN DAVIE, FL) REFUSED TO DO SO SAYING THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE OCS RECALL AND THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I THEN CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REQUESTED THAT HYUNDAI REPAIR THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER AT NO CHARGE TO ME. THEY READ ME A PREPARED STATEMENT STATING THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE OCS RECALL AND WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER I SPOKE TO A CASE MANAGER AT HYUNDAI, THEY AGREED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF THEY COULD WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SEAT BELT REPAIR. HYUNDAI WAS SUPPOSED TO CALL ME BACK WITHIN A WEEK TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WORKED OUT. THEY DID NOT. WHEN I CALLED BACK A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, HYUNDAI AGAIN READ ME THE PREPARED STATEMENT SAYING THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I REITERATED THAT THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I EXPECTED THEM TO REPAIR IT. THEY CONTINUED TO REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. I ADVISED I WAS GOING TO REPORT THIS SAFETY ISSUE TO NHTSA. HYUNDAI WAS UNCONCERNED. AS NHTSA SHOULD SEE, SEVERAL HYUNDAI SONATA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME SEAT BELT PROBLEM TO NHTSA. MY PASSENGER SEAT IS RARELY USED, SO THIS SEEMS TO BE A HYUNDAI SAFETY DEFECT FOR WHICH THE DEALERS AND HYUNDAI SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE A RECALL AND REPAIR AT THEIR EXPENSE.I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT REMOVED AND SENT TO HYUNDAI FOR ANALYSIS AS NOTED IN THE OCS RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 10, 2013
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SIX MONTHS. GOT THE RECALL NOTICE ABOUT PASSENGER OCCUPANT SYSTEM WHICH INDICATED THAT IF THE LIGHT STAYS ON TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM CHECKED OUT OKAY. I TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. HE INDICATED THAT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS APPARENT DEFECT. *TR
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
Seat belts, Nov 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Oct 28, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET IT FELT LIKE MY GAS PEDAL WAS NOT RESPONDING THEN WITHOUT WARNING IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD ENOUGH TO SCREECH MY FRONT TIRES. I DO NOT HAVE A FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME, SURELY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. DURING HYUNDAI NEW CAR SERVICE ONE OF THE SERVICE MEN NOTICED AND MENTIONED IT, BUT DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND TODAY I GOT A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM STATING I MISSED THE 1ST RECALL. MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF SOMETIMES IT IS ON WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT BUCKLED UP AND SOMETIMES IT IS ON WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I AM TAKING MY CAR IN TO HYUNDAI FOR THE RECALL I AM GOING TO MENTION THE LURCHING AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT ALL THESE COMPLAINTS! I BELIEVE THEY ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS!! *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 28, 2013
MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. IN A CRASH MY AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. LOOKING INTO THE COMPUTER I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL MATTER. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 7, 2013
A PART ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE HAS FAILED ONCE PER YEAR FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO GO ON, RENDERING THE AIRBAG INEFFECTIVE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENS, BUT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FREQUENCY OF THE FAILURES. WE ALSO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED TWICE, BUT NOT THE THIRD TIME SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME PART AND THE TIME PERIOD IN BETWEEN PART FAILURES WAS ALMOST IDENTICAL.
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
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 13, 2013
ON NOVEMBER OF 2011, THE "AIRBAG" LIGHT IN MY SONATA CAME ON AND STAYED ON. UPON INVESTIGATION BY THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY SEAT BELT. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A COST OF $325.79. AT THAT TIME I MADE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO YOU. NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10436650 NOW I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN! MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THE WEEK OF 4/7/13 (ODOMETER 112,660) AND AGAIN I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE SEAT BELT. AGAIN IT WILL COST UPWARDS OF $300.00. AND THIS IS JUST 19,250 MILES SINCE I HAD IT REPAIRED IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS AN INDICATION OF EITHER A DEFECTIVE PART OR A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON SO I SEE THIS AS A CRITICAL DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. IF A VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS SHUT DOWN EVERY 20,000 MILES OR SO, IN MY OPINION THE VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO CONSUMERS. JUDGING FROM A CURSORY SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER HYUNDAI SONATAS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Seat belts, Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2013
PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ON DASHBOARD. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT OR NOT. SUN VISOR ON DRIVER DOESN'T STAY UP. HAD IT REPLACED DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STAY UP. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. VISOR SHOULDN'T BE HAVING ISSUES. AS FOR SEATBLET LIGHT. HOPEFULLY A RECALL WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 1, 2013
THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON: CODE B1706. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE TENSIONER FAILED AND NOW THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK. DEALER COST IS $400 TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX WITH NO GUARANTEE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 27, 2012
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS. I HAD IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION. THEY "RE-CONNECTED" AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. NOW IT HAS BEEN BACK ON FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. ALSO I HAVE A HARD TIME CONNECTING MY DRIVER SEAT BELT, ONE TIME I HAD TO DRIVE WITHOUT IT AT ALL SINCE I COULD NOT GET IT TO SNAP IN AT ALL. ALSO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DISPLAY LIGHT FLASHES EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO ONE SITTING IN THE SEAT. I CALLED AND APPARENTLY I AM NOT A PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG. MY SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR, SAME YEAR AND HAS THE SAME ISSUES. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 19, 2012
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE DASHBOARD "CHECK AIRBAG" LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (23JUL08) WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED CODE B1701 AND REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. AT 43,340 MILES (03FEB09) I NEEDED THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY (B1706 CODE) REPLACED. AT 57,106 MILES (06NOV09) I NEEDED THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED (CODE NOT DOCUMENTED BY DEALER). NOW (19DEC12) THE "CHECK AIRBAG" LIGHT IS LIT AGAIN (103,121) AND THE CODES B1701 AD B1706 BOTH SHOW UP. MOST LIKELY REPLACE BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. AN UNBELIEVABLE NUMBER OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACEMENTS IN THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE. SINCE SEAT BELT ISSUES LIKE THIS ILLUMINATE THE "CHECK AIRBAG" INDICATOR LIGHT, I HAVE TO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR RELATED PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 30, 2012
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT STOP WAS TO FASTEN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OCS (OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM) SENSOR IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAD "BURNT" ITSELF OUT. FAILURE TO REPLACE SENSOR WOULD CAUSE AIRBAGS TO FAIL. DID SOME INVESTIGATING AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS SENSOR BACK IN 2008. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS "NOT" PART OF THE RECALL. MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT "ON THE LIST". SAME MAKE, SAME MODEL--NOT PART OF RECALL???? THE REPAIR COST $1000 FOR A NEW SEAT. HOW MANY OTHER OWNERS OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES ARE "NOT" PART OF RECALLS? *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 20, 2012
JUNE 2008, SEATBELT LIGHT & AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR PASSENGER SEAT. CODE B1706, PASSENGER BUCKLE PRETENSIONER. PART WAS REPLACED BY HYUNDAI, UNDER WARRANTY. AUGUST 2012, MILEAGE 45,000 AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY, THEN PERMANENTLY. CODE B1706 PASSENGER BUCKLE PRETENSIONER, AGAIN. CONTACTED BOTH CORPORATE HYUNDAI AND DEALER AND TOLD NO WARRANTY ON THIS ITEM AND NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH IT. SEEMS THAT REPEATED FAILURES OF A COMPONENT OF THE SRS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AND PASSENGER SEAT IS RARELY USED, YET BUCKLE PRETENSIONER HAS FAILED TWICE!! I HAVE NOTICED REPEATED ENTRIES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2006 SONATA. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE BE SURE TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 12, 2012
I JUST HAD TO GET THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER REPORTS SIMILAR TO THE ONE I'M REPORTING HERE. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I HAD TO GET THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT WITHOUT GETTING THESE REPLACED WHEN I DID THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY, WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. SEARCHING NHTSA FOUND QUITE A FEW SIMILAR REPORTS, AND SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOUND A TON MORE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IMPACTING THE SAFETY OF AT LEAST THIS CAR'S MAKE AND MODEL AS THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY, AND POTENTIALLY OTHER MAKES OR MODELS (I ONLY CHECKED MY OWN). I URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF COMPLAINTS AND THE IMPACT TO THE PASSENGERS' SAFETY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, May 15, 2012
BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO 'AIR BAG' WARNING LIGHT REMAINING ON CONTINUOUSLY. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT TENSIONER THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $350.00+. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK. CAME HOME AND GOOGLED PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALL LISTED FOR THIS ISSUE YET. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS DISCOVERED QUITE OFTEN WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, MODEL CAR IN THAT WITH THIS PROBLEM THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. IS THERE ANY RESEARCH GOING ON NOW RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM AND WILL A RECALL BE ISSUED IN THE NEAR FUTURE? *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ONLY WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SEAT WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND SEAT BELT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COMPONENTS WOULD POSSIBLY FAIL AGAIN DUE TO A DEFECT WITH THE SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 30, 2012
AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ON TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 2 YEARS AGO (ESTIMATE), THEY RESET THE SENSOR AND FIDDLED WITH THE CABLE UNDER THE SEAT. IN AUGUST OF 2011 THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND REMAINED ON. TOOK IT IT THE DEALER WHO SCANNED THE CODES WHICH READ "B1701" AND "B1706" AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH FROM THE SEAT BUCKLES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BUCKLE AT MY COST. MILEAGE 62,966 THERE SEEMS TO BE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF THIS OCCURRING AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. SEE ALSO: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/HYUNDAI/SONATA/10315909 HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2006/HYUNDAI/SONATA/SEAT_BELTS/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/HYUNDAI_AIRBAGS.HTML *TT
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 20, 2012
I PURCHASED A HYUNDAI SONATA IN 2006. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM FROM THE YEAR I GOT IT AND STILL IS. IT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME. THE DEALER RESET IT A FEW TIMES AND THEN IN SEP 2008 THEY PUT IN A NEW SEAT BUCKLE. ONCE AGAIN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE DEALER WANTS $125 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC (CODE IS ACTIVE B1706) AND SAID A NEW BUCKLE IS NEEDED, WHICH IS ANOTHER $179 PLUS LABOR. SO EVERY YEAR I AM GOING TO HAVE TO DROP OVER $300 FOR THE LIGHT TO BE TURNED OFF SO IT PASSES INSPECTION. THIS IS A SCAM. THE CONCERN IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH THE DEALER SINCE THE DAY I GOT THE CAR. NOW THEY WON'T COVER IT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER ABOUT 2 DAYS FROM BEING RESET. SO EVERY YEAR WHEN THE INSPECTION IS DUE, I HAVE TO PUT OUT THE MONEY OUT FOR A NEW BUCKLE AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT, I HAVE NO LITTLE KIDS OR CAR SEAT IN USE, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THE AIRBAG GO OFF. NO IDEA HOW A SEAT BELT BUCKLES DIES ON ITS OWN AND ANNUALLY, TOO! THERE IS A RECALL OUT THERE BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LIGHT GOING ON WHEN KIDS THAT DO NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO TOGGLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF, SO THE LIGHT STAYS ON. THAT RECALLS # IS08V161000. MANY FOLKS ONLINE AND IN FORUMS ARE REPORTING THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS CONCERN AS IT KEEPS DUPLICATING OVER AND OVER AND OVER. RIGHT NOW, I AM PAYING FOR FIRESTONE TO DO REPLACE THE BUCKLE AND FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE THEY WARRANTY IT FOR 18 MONTHS AND THE DEALER WILL ONLY DO IT FOR 12. I NEED A NEW INSPECTION STICKER. RICHMOND, VA. *TT
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 21, 2011
THE "AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. IT WAS REPORTED BACK TO ME THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON (AND IT WAS NOT COVERED ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY). FROM RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2006. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH IT IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. *TR
Seat belts, Oct 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT MODULE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.