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
1,047 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 29, 2014
2006 SONATA GLS VERY WELL MAINTAINED (FOR LIFE OF VEHICLE) BY TOP NOTCH LOCAL DEALER + NO ACCIDENT HISTORY - REPORTS DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ERR CODE, AIRBAG LIGHT ON/AIRBAG SYSTEM NOT ACTIVATED. DEALER ATTEMPTED OC3 TEST-PASSENGER SEAT VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUE - COULD NOT COMPLETE TEST-BUCKLE ERROR...REPLACED BUCKLE ASSY: SAME CODE + LIGHT. DASH OPENED, CONSOLE REMOVED, DRIVER SEAT REMOVED: AIRBAG SYSTEM HARNESS INSPECTION, RESEAT CONNECTIONS - NEW CODE APPEARS: DRIVERS BELT RETRACTOR ASSY. REPLACED BELT RETRACTOR ASSY. NO CODE! AND AIRBAG SYSTEM STILL NOT WORKING/AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATOR ON. ..DEALER ADVISED THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM IS WELL-KNOWN TO 06, 07 SONATA OWNERS: SOLE VIABLE SOLUTION=REPLACE AIR BAG SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS. ORDERED PART # ON HARNESS - WRONG HARNESS DELIVERED (CONNECTORS IN WRONG LOCATION ON HARNESS/DON'T MEET UP WITH CAR CONNECTORS. ORDERED AGAIN, SAME RESULT (DEALERSHIP NOTED - THESE HARNESSES ARRIVE WITH BAG TORN OPEN (NOT FIRST MECHANIC TO ORDER IT FOR SAME PROBLEM AND OUTCOME).. LOCAL HYUNDAI TERRITORY ENGINEER (TROUBLESHOOTER FOR LARGE PROBLEMS) ASKED TO VISIT FOR DISCUSSIONS - RIGHT PART # / WRONG PART. SOLUTION = I'VE DEALT WITH THIS 3X RECENTLY AND IN THIS AREA - ORDER THIS PART #. GUESS WHAT, NEW PART IS $750 / DOUBLE OLD PART COST. NEW HARNESS REACHES INTO BACK SEAT AREA AS WELL AND CAUSES DOUBLE THE LABOR COSTS >$1,000. ..$1K ALREADY INVESTED IN PARTS AND LABOR PLUS FACING ANOTHER $2K IN HARNESS PARTS & LABOR. DEALER CAN'T PROVIDE ANY GUARANTEE THIS WILL SOLVE IT SHORT TERM LET ALONE LONG TERM - CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - DENIED DUE TO OUT OF WARRANTY + 2ND OWNER/NOT ORIGINAL (HOW CONVENIENT FOR THEM)..AS MENTIONED, 3X '06 SONATA OWNERS IN THIS TERRITORY RECENTLY EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL ISSUES AND AFTER GETTING TOUGH WITH HYUNDAI USA, RECEIVED BUY-BACKS OF THEIR CARS. TRY TO GUESS MY NEXT MOVE ...UPDATED 08/14/14 *BF *TR *TR
Steering, Mar 27, 2014
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE, THIS BEING THE SECOND TIME. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY ON TO A ROUNDED TURN EXIT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL FELT AS THOUGH I LOST POWER. IT TIGHTENED UP ON ME. WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE TURN AND STRAIGHTENED THE WHEEL OUT THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2014
WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE ON A CLOVERLEAF AT ABOUT 30MPH, SUDDEN DECREASE IN ABILITY TO STEER, AS IF POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. HAVE MADE THIS SAME TURN A COUPLE OF TIMES SINCE WITH SAME RESULTS AS WELL AS A LEFT HAND TURN AT ABOUT THE SAME SPEED. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STRAIGHTENING UP THE STEERING RETURNS TO NORMAL. NO PROBLEMS MAKING A TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR SLOWER TURN, SUCH AS IN TOWN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. HAPPENED WHEN HUSBAND DROVE CAR ONCE AS WELL. *TR
Engine, Mar 24, 2014
OIL PAN RUSTING OUT. A LOT OF ENGINE MOTOR OIL SEEPING OUT OF ENTIRE OIL PAN. PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC STATES THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. EVENTUALLY OIL WILL LEAK OUT CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE AND FAIL. *TR
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
Exterior lighting, Mar 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT WHILE SHE ATTEMPTED TO PARK, THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Air bags, Mar 17, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT GO OFF. FOR A FEW WEEKS, ANYTIME THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS ADJUSTED, IT WOULD TRIGGER THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BUT ONCE THE SEAT WAS MOVED, IT WOULD GO OFF. NOW TO THE POINT, IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF THE AIR BAG LIGHT. SIMILAR THING HAPPENED LAST SUMMER, TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE SYSTEM CLEARED AS HYUNDAI IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THE PROPER TOOL TO "SCRUB THE AIR BAG MEMORY". MY CONCERN, IS WILL THE AIR BAGS GO OFF IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER TO PAY TO HAVE ERROR CLEARED IF NO MISUSE ON MY END? IT APPEARS BY READING THIS SITE THAT MANY HYUNDAI OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES SO PERHAPS THIS IS A RECALL? *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.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 11, 2014
VISOR ARM JOINT CRACKED, CAUSING VISOR TO LOOSEN AND AFFECT VISIBILITY.
Service brakes, Mar 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING IN EARLY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ANOTHER VEHICLE SHIFTED LANES UNEXPECTEDLY. WHILE HITTING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE "JOSTLED" AND SHOOK AND WAS FAILING TO STOP. AFTER PUMPING THE BREAKS I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND BARELY (3-6 INCHES) AVOID HITTING ANYONE ELSE. THE MECHANIC JUST CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT ONE CALIPER PIN IN THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKES, AS WELL AS ONE CALIPER PIN IN THE REAR LEFT HAD COMPLETELY FROZE UP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE FRONT RIGHT HAS DONE SO (FIRST TIME ON OR AROUND JANUARY 13, 2013). AFTER RESEARCHING THIS TODAY, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE & MODEL. *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, Feb 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 13, 2014
HEAD LIGHTS DIMS, FLICKERS, DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIMS, RADIO SHUT OFF WHEN SLOWING SPEED, SOMETIMES BRAKES LIGHT COME ON. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 10, 2014
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS AND OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100. JS
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 2, 2014
FIRST OF ALL THE TIME AND MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATE. WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN TURNING OFF THE PARKING/DASHBOARD LIGHTS IN OUR 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. FLICKING THE STALK BACK AND FORTH A FEW TIMES WOULD EVENTUALLY TURN THEM OFF. I ASKED MY MECHANIC AND CALLED 2 LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERS AND ALL AGREED THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUSE/RELAY BOX. AFTER CONSULTING A FEW HYUNDAI FORUMS I LEARNED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM AFFECTING SOME 2006 AND 2007 HYUNDIAS AND THAT OWNERS WERE PAYING BETWEEN $700 TO $1200 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PART. MANY OWNERS ARE UPSET THAT HYUNDAI DOES NOT ISSUE A RECALL. ON MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 THE STALK STOPPED WORKING. A CALL TO HYUNDAI NORTH AMERICA NOT ONLY RESULTED IN NO HELP IN FINDING OUT WHICH FUSE WOULD DISABLE THE LIGHTS BUT ALSO ASSURED ME THAT HYUNDAI SEEMS TO EXPECT THE LIFE OF SUCH PARTS TO LAST JUST PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION DATE. I DECIDED TO PULL OUT THE RELAY LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHICH TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS (AMONG OTHER THINGS). THE NEXT DAY WHEN MY WIFE LEFT WORK AFTER INSERTING THE RELAY BACK IN, SHE COULDN'T GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND SLOWLY THINGS STARTED TO STOP WORKING SUCH AS THE HEATED SEAT AND THE REAR DEFOGGER. ONCE HOME, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND ROAD-TESTED THE CAR. EVERYTHING WORKED NORMAL; HOWEVER, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2014 I BOUGHT A BATTERY QUICK-DISCONNECT AND WIRED THE OTHER END TO THE EXISTING HYUNDAI POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. NOW, WHILE WE WAIT WEEKS (POSSIBLY MONTHS) TO HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THIS PART REPLACED, MY WIFE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE WORK AND IN A DARK PARKING LOT, RECONNECT THE BATTERY USING THIS QUICK-DISCONNECT TOOL. WHILE THE CAR SITS AT HOME AND AT HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, IT REMAINS UNLOCKED WITH NO ALARM, I CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THIS ALONG WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR. *TR
Structure, Jan 26, 2014
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE BROKE LOOSE. THEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE LOOSE. TODAY 26 JAN 2014 THE PASSENGER'S REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE. HYUNDAI TOLD US BACK IN APRIL 2013 THAT THE DOOR HANDLE PROBLEMS WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM SINCE OUR WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT. HAVING OWNED QUITE A FEW CARS AND ALL FOR MORE THAN 7 YEARS AND NONE HAS EVER HAD THEIR DOOR HANDLE SNAP LOOSE. TO REPLACE A DOOR HANDLE COSTS AROUND $150.00. I HAVE REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE. SEEMS TO ME THAT LOSING 3 OUT OF 4 DOOR HANDLES IS A RESULT OF A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE CAR AND SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY. AND NOW THAT THE REAR DOORS CAN NO LONGER BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE I BELIEVE THIS DEFECT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2014
MY SPOUSE REPORTED TO ME THAT THE AIRBAG FOR DRIVERS SIDE CAME ON AND STAYED ON. TWO DAYS AGO, I TOOK THE CAR TO WORK (READJUSTING THE SEAT) AND THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. I HAD READ ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN ONLINE FORUMS FOR MY MAKE AND YEAR AND THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS MENTION THAT IF YOU MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD AND BACK THAT YOU CAN GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. WELL, I TRIED THAT AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME THE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. WE PREVIOUSLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG RECALL AND HAD THAT TAKEN CARE OF. I TOOK THE CAR TO OUR DEALER TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAD SIMILAR OCCURRENCES AND WAS SURPRISED BY MY SERVICE ADVISER'S ATTITUDE. HE APPEARED GUARDED AND WAS VERY UNLIKE HIM. I USUALLY GET ALL MY SERVICE DONE THERE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT I WAS NOT THE FIRST ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT FIRST I'D HAVE TO GET A DIAGNOSIS ($79+ TAX), THEN ANY REPAIRS ( ANYWHERE FROM $300 TO 1500.) WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I ALSO ASKED IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, DOES THE AIRBAG NOT WORK AND WAS TOLD YES. I JUST WENT TO NHTSA TODAY AND LOOKED IN THE COMPLAINT SECTION FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. REQUIRING AIRBAGS IN VEHICLES IS A FEDERAL LAW REQUIREMENT, SO WHY THEN IF THESE SYSTEMS FAIL WITHOUT ANY OWNERS NEGLIGENCE, ARE THE MANUFACTURERS NOT REQUIRED TO SEE THAT THEY GET REPAIRED? WHAT TRIGGERS A RECALL? AFTER TALKING WITH ONE OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES, A SHORT TIME AGO, I ASKED THAT QUESTION AND SHE SAID THAT NHTSA CAN'T FORCE A MANUFACTURER FOR JUST ANYTHING. I SAID, "SOMEONE WHOSE AIRBAG DOESN'T DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND DIES MIGHT TRIGGER A RECALL?" THE REPRESENTATIVE REPLIED, "THOSE ARE YOU WORDS, MOT MINE". *TR
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.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 13, 2014, crash
ON THIS DATE IT WAS UNUSUALLY COLD WEATHER FOR OUR STATE AT A HIGH OF 7 DEGREES PLUS WIND CHILL ("THE POLAR VORTEX"). I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK AND HAD LET MY CAR RUN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE BEGINNING TO DRIVE. I WAS NOT EVEN A QUARTER OF A MILE AWAY (ACTUALLY ONLY ABOUT A STREET OVER) FROM MY HOME WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THERE WAS AN SUV IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN TO DRIFT SLIGHTLY FORWARD, I DID THE SAME. WHEN I WENT TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO DRIFT FORWARD AT THE PACE OF THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME, IT ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED. THERE WAS ABOUT 5 FEET IN BETWEEN THE SUV AND MY CAR, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO STOP FAST ENOUGH AND REAR ENDED THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE, HOWEVER THIS WAS COMPLETELY UNAVOIDABLE AND UNNECESSARY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHICH WAS ALSO A VERY COLD DAY, I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOUSE FOR WORK AND WHEN I WENT INTO REVERSE IT DID THE SAME EXACT ABRUPT ACCELERATION. THANKFULLY THIS TIME THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND---IN COMBINATION WITH MY AWARENESS OF THIS POSSIBLY BEING AN ISSUE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V354000 (SUSPENSION) THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS CONCERNED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Suspension, Dec 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V354000 (SUSPENSION) BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
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
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE READING OF THE GAUGES FLUCTUATED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Air bags, Dec 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.