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.
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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 28, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY SISTERS CAR AND NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM AND THEN COME BACK ON AFTER A SECOND.. I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO GET GAS AND A GENTLEMAN PULLED IN NEXT TO ME SAYING HE TURNED AROUND TO LET ME KNOW MY LIGHTS FLICKERED DULL TO BRIGHT. HE SAID A FRIEND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR SONATA AND HAD IT TO DEALER MANY TIMES AND NO FIX. HE SAID THEY TRADED FOR A HONDA. MY SISTER LOVES THIS CAR AND ITS PAID FOR, BUT IF THIS IS A PROBLEM, IS THERE A RECALL? *TR
Structure, Jun 26, 2013
MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS TWO MAYBE MORE DOOR HANDLES THAT HAVE EITHER BROKEN ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING INSIDE THE DOOR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE/DESIGN DEFECT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURE TO CORRECT. HAVE MADE NUMEROUS CONTRACTS TO THE MANUFACTURE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND TO THERE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PARTY (BBB) THEY SUGGESTED AND STILL HAVE NO RESOLUTION TO THE CORRECTION. I HAVE THE PACKAGE EMAILABLE THAT WAS SENT TO THE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PARTY HOWEVER THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS TO OLD TO MEET THEIR ARBITRATION CONDITIONS. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Service brakes, Jun 24, 2013
I WENT TO A SEARS AUTO CENTER BACK IN DECEMBER 2012 TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. IN THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY 2013, I WENT BACK TO SEARS TO HAVE MY ALIGNMENT RECHECKED BECAUSE I WAS EXPERIENCING SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. THEY TOLD ME MY REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE CORRODED AND FALLING APART AND I NEEDED TO CHANGE THEM, ALONG WITH GETTING NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. AFTER HAVE THESE PARTS INSTALLED, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME OVER REGARDING MY ALIGNMENT AND SAID THE REAR SUSPENSION FRAME WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED IN 2 PLACES, CAUSING THE TOW TO GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID I NEEDED TO EITHER REPLACE THE WHOLE SUBFRAME OR HAVE A STEEL BEAM WELDED TO IT FOR STABILITY SO THEY COULD GET THE CORRECT ALIGNMENT SPECS. IF I DIDN'T FIX IT, THE ALIGNMENT WOULD ALWAYS BE OFF. THEY ALSO WARNED ME THAT IF I TRAVELED WITH MY VEHICLE LONG DISTANCE, THE FRAME COULD BREAK WHERE THE CORROSION OCCURRED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. 2 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LISTED TO THE LEFT ABOUT 45 DEGREES AND MY REAR WHEELS STARTED TO LEAN IN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS ALSO TURNED OUTWARDS WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO FISHTAIL AND SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY DURING DRIVING. I FELT VERY UNSAFE AND MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE UNTIL I CAN GET IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE SUNVISOR CAME LOOSE AND NOW HANGS DOWN OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THE SUN VISOR NO LONGER WILL STAY UP, IT ALWAYS HANGS DOWN. *TR
Air bags, Jun 13, 2013
DASH AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2006 SONATA (SEE SAFERCAR.GOV DATABASE). IN MY CASE, THE DEALER SAYS THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS REPLACING AT A COST OF OVER $2000. I NOTE IN THE ABOVE DATA BASE THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A WIDE VARIETY OF CAUSES FOR AIR BAG FAILURE. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR SO OFTEN IN THE 2006 SONATA, AND CREATE SUCH A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE HYUNDAI TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THESE AIR BAG PROBLEMS FOR GOOD. I JUST WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. *TR
Structure, Jun 10, 2013
THE DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH REAR SEAT PASSENGER DOORS HAVE BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE DOOR. THEY BROKE APPROXIMATELY WHERE THE LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE HANDLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER HANDLE IS ACTING DIFFERENT THAN IT USE TO NOW ALSO. AS OF THIS WEEKEND THE FRONT DRIVERS HANDLE ARE ACTING DIFFERENT ALSO! THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING /DESIGN ISSUE AND NOT AN ABUSE OR VANDALISM ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 8, 2013
P0504 BRAKE SWITCH A/B CORRELATION . LIGHT ABS - ESC/OFF AND CHECK.*TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 6, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AT AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DIRECTLY INTO MY LINE OF VISION. THE MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE VISOR UP AGAINST THE ROOF OF THE CAR IS DAMAGED, AND THE VISOR NOW FLOPS UP AND DOWN FREELY. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR NO LONGER WORKS (114,000 MILES) AND BOTH ARE A LITTLE OVER $100 TO REPLACE, AND BOTH OF WHICH PRESENT SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS. IMAGINE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND HAVING A SUN VISOR FALL DOWN AND KEEP YOU FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE STOPPING CARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 3, 2013
ABOUT 2-3 YEARS AGO, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE AND TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE OR PATTERN, UNTIL IT REACHED A POINT OF STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. TO ME, THIS INDICATES AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM DIAGNOSED SPECIFICALLY, ALTHOUGH AT ONE POINT, MY MECHANIC MENTIONED OFF HAND THAT I HAD A BROKEN SEAT BELT, BUT, AFTER I LOOKED THEM OVER MYSELF, ALL SEAT BELTS FUNCTIONED PERFECTLY FINE, SO I DID NOT REPLACE ANY OF THEM. THIS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE WARNING LIGHT, HOWEVER, RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS WARNING LIGHT MAY BE ON FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS, AND MOST CASES INVOLVE EXPENSIVE AND UNRELIABLE REPAIRS, AND THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS WITHOUT REASON. BECAUSE OF THIS, I HAVE ELECTED NOT TO PAY TO HAVE IT "FIXED." IT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL THIS YEAR, WHEN MY CAR ONLY BARELY PASSED INSPECTION (PRIOR INSPECTORS HAVE APPARENTLY NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT). READING FURTHER, I AM EVEN LESS INCLINED TO FIX IT - SPENDING $1500 ON A REPAIR THAT HAS REPORTS OF RE-OCCURRENCE ON A 7-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE SEEMS SILLY. HOWEVER, I'M LODGING THE COMPLAINT HERE ANYWAY. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO GET A DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER TO DIAGNOSE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 30, 2013
SUN VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE WOULDN'T STAY UP. WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT A YEAR OR SO LATER AGAIN WOULDN'T STAY UP. AND THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR ALSO WON'T STAY UP. *TR
Steering, May 29, 2013
I LOST THE ABILITY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIME WITH OTHER PEOPLE DRIVING. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING WILL "LOCK" AND NOT TURN TO THE RIGHT ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED, BUT I HAVE HAD THIS CHECKED AND SINCE IT'S INTERMITTENT, DIAGNOSES IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SYSTEM WAS CHECKED AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK FINE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF FIGHTING THE WHEEL THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SNAP BACK AND ALL SEEMS FINE. I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. ONE TECHNICIAN SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A VALVE IN THE RACK AND PINION GOING OUT. I MUST STATE THAT THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT AND ONLY AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF IT'S A FLAW IN THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM ITSELF. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR FOR THIS IS REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINION AT A COST OF OVER $1000. *TR
Tires, May 27, 2013
THE TIRES THAT I AM FILING A COMPLAINT ARE,GENERAL TIRES EXCLAIMS,225/50/ZR17. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED FOR MY WIFE'S CAR ON 01/13/2011. HER CAR HAD 29,340 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME THEY WERE INSTALLED BY PARAMUS HYUNDAI ROUTE4 EAST PARAMUS,NJ. HER CAR AT THE PRESENT TIME HAS 47,990 MILES ON IT,WHICH MEANS THAT SHE HAD ONLY DRIVEN HER CAR WITH THESE TIRES FOR 18,650 MILES. I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS A WEAK SPOT "BUBBLE" ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. I HAD MY WIFE TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE TIRES. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED HER THAT THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES HAD WEAK SPOTS AND BUBBLES ON THE SIDE WALLS OF THE TIRES AND THAT GENERAL TIRES HAD DISCONTINUED THE EXCLAIMS BRAND AND THAT SHE MUST REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES. I THEN NOTIFIED GENERAL TIRES BY EMAIL ON 05/18/2013,AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM,AND THAT I HAD REGISTERED THE TIRES ON THEIR WEBSITE AND THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED US OF THE PROBLEM. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR EVEN KILLED DRIVING HER CAR WITH THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES WITH "DEFECTS". THEY INSISTED THAT THE WEAK SPOTS AND BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALLS WERE CAUSED BY "ROAD HAZARDS" WITHOUT LOOKING AT THEM OR CHECKING THEM. I WOULD AGREE IF THE DEFECTS WERE ONLY TWO TIRES AND BOTH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR BUT I DO NOT AGREE WHEN IT ENTAILS THREE TIRES. RIGHT FRONT,LEFT FRONT,RIGHT REAR. THE PERSON AT GENERAL TIRE TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A CONTINENTAL DEALER AND HAVE THEM INSPECT THE TIRES WHICH I DID. THE PERSON THAT LOOKED AT THE TIRES DID NOT PUT THE CAR ON A LIFT HE WALKED OUTSIDE AND LOOKED AT THE TIRES IN A PARKING SPACE. HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT THINK IT WAS A DEFECT BUT A "DESIGN ERROR" THAT CAUSED THE WEAK SPOTS AND BUBBLES AND THATS WHY THE TIRES WERE DISCONTINUED. IF THAT'S THE REASON THEN GENERAL TIRES SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES AND NOTIFIED US OF THE PROBLEM. THE D.O.T. NO.S PS403R7,S403RY3S10,S403RY3710, PS403RY, WOULD NOT FIT IN SPACE PROVIDED ON FORM. THANK YOU *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 27, 2013
ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNS ON, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE CAR STALLS. ONCE I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT RUNS AS NORMAL. ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS, THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, BUT CAR STILL DRIVES, THEN THE SEATBELT LIGHT FLASHES ON FOR MAY 20 SECONDS, THEN ALL LIGHTS GO OFF AND THE CAR DRIVES BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM, SO NO FIX CAN BE PERFORMED. *TR
Air bags, May 13, 2013
THERE IS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON IN MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. MY MOTHER AND STEPFATHER ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA. THEY RECEIVED A PAMPHLET REGARDING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HYUNDAI THAT THEIR 2007 HYUNDAI SONATA QUALIFIED FOR A "FREE" RECALIBRATION TO "RESET" THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THEY CALLED THEIR LOCAL DEALER, AND GOT THE CAR IN. THEY SAID THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON DUE TO A FAULTY SEATBELT, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE SEAT, SEND IT TO CALIFORNIA AND IT WOULD COST ME $300. I THINK THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. I ALSO SEE WHERE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE VERY SAME ISSUE MY CAR IS HAVING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, AND NOT A THE CUSTOMER'S EXPENSE EITHER. OBVIOUSLY IT IS AN ISSUE HYUNDAI SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF. *TR
Air bags, May 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE BUCKLE WAS REPLACED FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Engine, May 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,593. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Apr 16, 2013
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE, MY ESC LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TROUBLE STEERING THE CAR AND THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK END. I WAS INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING IS CRACKED/RUSTED AND THAT THE WHEEL IS CROOKED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY UNDRIVEABLE. I HAD READ IN THE PAPER ABOUT RUST CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS AND BELIEVE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED TO SEE IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY (CAR HAS APPROX. 80,000 MILES ON IT), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WEREN'T SURE. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR, BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE IT DONE, UNLESS IT IS COVERED. *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
Visibility, Apr 12, 2013
THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR STOPPED WORKING. IT DOES NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. APPARENTLY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Apr 11, 2013, crash
91 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING AND HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE CAR DROVE HIM INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG WENT OFF AND PRODUCED SUFFICIENT INTERNAL INJURIES THAT HE DIED. THE AIR BAG WENT OFF TOO HARD. IF THERE WERE NO AIR BAG, HE WOULD HAVE LIVED. *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
Suspension, Wheels, Apr 3, 2013
BEFORE GETTING DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN, I TOOK MY SONATA TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SOME REPAIR WORK DONE SO I COULD LET A FRIEND BORROW MY CAR WHILE DEPLOYED. MUCH OF THE SUSPENSION HAD RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ALSO HAD TO GET A NEW SET OF TIRES, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE TIRES I HAD WEREN'T MUCH MORE THAN ONE YEAR OLD. IN ANY CASE, I'M WRITING THIS TO YOU AFTER READING AN ARTICLE ABOUT AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO HYUNDAI SONATAS (2006-2008) FOR HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. FORTUNATELY, I REPLACED THE PARTS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE IN CASE IT HELPS THE INVESTIGATION. UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT PROVIDE YOU WITH DETAILED INFORMATION BECAUSE ALL OF MY PAPERWORK IS IN STORAGE WHILE I'M IN AFGHANISTAN. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Apr 3, 2013
AT A LOW SPEED I LOST CONTROL OF MY 2006 SONATA. THE REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE FROM THE K FRAME AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL SHIFTED OUT ABOUT 3 INCHES. THE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATED AND STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. WHEN INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL GARAGE THEY FOUND THE K FRAME HAD DISINTEGRATED FROM RUST. I DID MAKE HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AWARE OF THE ISSUE ON OCTOBER 3, 2012. *TR
Visibility, Mar 30, 2013
BOTH SUN VISORS ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA WILL NOT STAY UP NEAR THE CEILING OF THE CAR. BOTH SLIP DOWN WHICH IS A HUGE DISTRACTION. I HAD TO REMOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR AND ONLY KEEP THE DRIVER SIDE ONE ATTACHED IN CASE THE SUN IS IN MY EYES. PUTTING IT TO THE LEFT CREATES A BIG BLIND SPOT. IT IS UP TO $100 TO REPLACE THE VISOR AND HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING DESPITE THE HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR