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, Apr 18, 2011
AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND STAY ON. *TR
Air bags, Apr 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
Visibility, Apr 9, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS WON'T STAY UP ANYMORE. IT FLOPS DOWN AND IMPAIRS MY ABILITY TO SEE WHILE I'M DRIVING. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE FORUMS AND FOUND THAT HYUNDAI SONATAS SEEM TO BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, Apr 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL OPEN AND WOULD NOT REMAIN SHUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SUN VISOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $100, INCLUDING LABOR. THE CONTACT DECLINED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,466. UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ UPDATED 05/16/11
Air bags, Apr 5, 2011
AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. DEALER HAS FIXED TWO TIMES BUT COMES BACK ON. NOW NO WARRANTY AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I CAN PLAY WITH THE WIRES UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD GO OFF. BUT NOW IT IS JUST STAYING ON, AND CANNOT PASS VA INSPECTION WITH IT ON. *TR
Visibility, Apr 4, 2011
2006, 2007, 2008, HYUNDAI SONATAS. SUNVISOR FAILS TO REMAIN IN POSITION OR PLASTIC ARM COVER BREAKS CAUSING THE SUNVISOR TO NOT STAY IN THE UPWARD POSITION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE ON A TRIP THE SUNVISOR FAILED TO REMAIN UPRIGHT IMPAIRING ROAD VISION. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE TSB BULLETINS REGARDING THE SONATA SUNVISORS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND THE INTERNET IS LOADED WITH CUSTOMER COMPLAINTSREGARDING RECENT FAILURES OF THE SUNVISOR TO REMAIN IN POSITION. *TR
Visibility, Equipment, Mar 29, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH A WEBASTO HOLLANDIA SUNROOF, MODEL NUMBER 6230137. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN DECEMBER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD BE CONTACTED WITHIN THIRTY DAYS TO HAVE THE SUNROOF ON THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL 10E038000 (VISIBILITY: SUNROOF ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Mar 28, 2011
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA PARKING LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF OR GO OFF AND COME BACK ON. *TR
Air bags, Mar 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EIGHTEEN TIMES FOR THE FAILURE WHERE THE CODES WERE CLEARED AND REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE PASSENGER HAVING BAD POSTURE WHEN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) YET THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 4/25/11 *CN UPDATED 1/17/2012 *LN *TR
Air bags, Mar 26, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS LIT. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 21, 2011
AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS ILLUMINATED AND WON'T TURN OFF.
Visibility, Mar 19, 2011
BROKEN VISOR. WILL NO LONGER STAY IN UP RIGHT POSITION CAUSING RESTRICTED VISION FOR THE DRIVER. SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Visibility, Mar 18, 2011
1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: COMMON USE OF ROTATING THE SUN VISOR UP AND DOWN TO BLOCK THE SUN. 2. THE FAILURE: THE VISOR FAILS TO STAY IN PLACE AND HANGS DOWN "FREE-SWINGING" OBSTRUCTING BETWEEN 25% AND 45% OF THE DRIVERS VIEW DEPENDING ON HEIGHT OF THE DRIVER. IN MY CASE- THE VISOR HANGING DOWN DISTRACTS 40% OF MY VIEW THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD AND I AM 5'10". IF LEFT IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION, IT IS GOING TO PLAY A MAJOR PART IN VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG SONATA'S FOR 2006. MY DEALERSHIP EVEN ADMITTED TO IT WHEN I WENT IN TO SEE ABOUT GETTING IT REPAIRED 3 YEARS AGO. 3. CORRECTION OF FAILURE- UNHINGE THE VISOR AND SHOVE IT INTO THE BRACKET BACKWARDS HOPING THAT IT DOESN'T FALL, BUT USUALLY DOES ON ANY SORT OF AGGRESSIVE BRAKING OR ACCELERATING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST OVER $300 TO REPAIR. THIS HAPPENED OVER 3 YEARS AGO. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD THAT IS GOING TO PLAY A MAJOR FACTOR IN WRECKS. YOU CAN FIND OTHER COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND NOTHING DONE ABOUT IT. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES TO ESTABLISH EVIDENCE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, Mar 16, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OR MORE THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE AND IT CONTINUED TO FALL DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO REPLACED THE SUN VISOR AND THE REPLACEMENT VISOR ALSO FAILED. THE PREVIOUS SUN VISOR WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE RECENT REPAIR WILL COST OVER $100. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS AND THEY MIGHT REIMBURSE HER AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WILL NOT PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 09/19/11
Air bags, Mar 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR THE PASSENGERS SIDE AIR BAG, EVEN WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Mar 9, 2011
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS NOW. UPON RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HYUNDAI SONATAS, ESPECIALLY THE 2006 MODELS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE LIGHT WILL BE ON AND THEN TURN OFF. MONTHS LATER, IT WILL TURN ON AND STAY ON AGAIN.
Air bags, Mar 3, 2011
MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS ONLY 33,600 WHEN SUDDENLY THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I WENT THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT HYUNDAI DOESN'T COVER THIS UNDER THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTIES. IN LOOKING UP THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I FOUND MANY HYUNDAI OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THIS IS NO DOUBT A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HYUNDAI HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE AND SHOULD BE MADE TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. IF THE AIR BAG IS MALFUNCTIONING THEN THOSE RIDING IN THE CAR CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED DURING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Visibility, Feb 24, 2011
THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON RT3 TO BOSTON BLOCKING VISION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR
Air bags, Feb 23, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THE DEALER STATES THAT THIS INACTIVATES THE AIR BAG. THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. SHOULDN'T HIS PROMPT A RECALL SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE?
Air bags, Feb 23, 2011
THE DRIVER SIDE "AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AND HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND THE PASSENGER "AIRBAG" LIGHT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY EITHER. I AM WORRIED THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING MYSELF OR A PASSENGER. A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR YEAR AND MODEL HAVE BEEN REPORTING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2011
2006 SONATA HAS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THESE PROBLEMS MANIFEST THEMSELVES USUALLY WHEN THE GAS IS NOT BEING APPLIED. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM OR GO OFF AND THEN COME BACK ON; THE RADIO SOMETIMES WILL GO OFF AND THEN COME BACK ON; THE A/C FAN PERIODICALLY SOUNDS AS IF IT HAS TURNED OFF AND THEN COMES BACK ON; SEVERAL TIMES I NOTICED THE PARKING BRAKE/LOW BRAKE FLUID, (RARELY HIGH BEAM), 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 CANT GET IT TO REPEAT THE SYMPTOMS OR FIND A PROBLEM AND THE COMPUTER DOES NOT SHOW A CODE INDICATING ANY PROBLEM.
Air bags, Feb 15, 2011
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA, I'VE HAD THE DRIVER AIR BAG LIGHT REPAIRED TWICE (UNDER WARRANTY) AND NOW IT'S ON AGAIN IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I'VE HAD THE CAR (PURCHASED IN LATE 2008). I WAS SIMPLY DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I DON'T SEE HOW HYUNDAI IS ABLE TO SELL A CAR WITH SUCH A FLIMSY AIR BAG SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY THE CAR JUST WENT OVER WARRANTY SO IT MAY BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX IF IT'S NOT RELATED TO ONE OF THE PREVIOUS ISSUES THAT CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO GO OFF, WHICH THE DEALER WILL FIX FREE OF CHARGE. I'VE HAD A 1993 NISSAN SENTRA WHICH NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS (SOLD IN 2008) AND A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY WHICH IS STILL IN OPERATION WHICH HAS NEVER HAD PROBLEMS. *TR
Visibility, Feb 13, 2011
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISOR FALLS STRAIGHT DOWN BLOCKING YOUR VIEW OF THE ROAD. GOING 65 MPH YOU TEND TO PANICK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IF THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I REMOVED MY VISOR WHICH CAUSES ANOTHER SAFETY PROBLEM (THE SUN). *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2011
DASH BOARD AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WAS AN ERROR CODE THAT WAS NOT LONGER ACTIVE. A SENSOR MUST HAVE SET IT OFF, BUT THERE WAS NO LONGER A PROBLEM. A FEW WEEKS LATER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO STATED OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) OR SENSOR THAT WAS PART OF SYSTEM REGISTERED AN ERROR AT SOME POINT IN THE PAST FEW DAYS AND THAT IS WHY THE LIGHT WENT ON. THEY STATED THERE WAS NO LONGER AN ERROR, BUT THAT THE SENSOR MUST BE GOING BAD AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILED. REASON BEING, ONCE THE SENSOR FAILED, THE AIR BAGS (AT LEAST PASSENGER AIR BAG, POTENTIALLY WHOLE SYSTEM SHUT OFF SO DRIVER AS WELL?) WOULDN'T DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE SYSTEM WOULD SHUT OFF AS A RESULT OF A SENSOR FAILURE. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT SENSOR COULD NOT BE REPLACED INDIVIDUALLY, BUT THAT THE WHOLE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR IS PART OF THE OCS SYSTEM. THE QUOTED COST FOR THE PART (SEAT CUSHION WITH ELECTRONIC SENSING SYSTEM) WOULD BE AROUND $1500 TOTAL ($1350 FOR THE PART, $150 FOR THE LABOR). AS OF NOW AIR BAG LIGHT NOT ON, SENSOR HASN'T FAILED YET. ONCE IT DOES, NEED TO REPLACE IF WANT AIR BAG SYSTEM TO DEPLOY. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ONLINE THAT HAVE THE 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED. AS A RESULT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND IN A VEHICLE THAT SOME IF NOT ALL OF THE AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY IN (AND MOST IF NOT ALL OF THEM DON'T REALIZE IT DISABLES THE AIR BAG). THIS DESIGN FLAW COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. ALL INFORMATION I RECEIVED IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUE WAS FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED.
Visibility, Feb 1, 2011
THE PASSENGER SIDE SUNVISOR CRACKED DURING NORMAL USAGE, THIS IS A FEW YEARS AFTER THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SUNVISOR. BOTH VISORS HAD VERY LITTLE USAGE AND WERE NEVER USED OTHER THEN TO BLOCK THE SUN WHEN IT WAS IN THE PASSENGERS OR DRIVERS EYES WHICH WAS AT MOST 2 OR 3 TIMES A MONTH. THE BROKEN SUNVISOR NO LONGER WILL FOLD UP FLUSH WITH THE ROOF AND STAYS DROOPING AND WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPING MOTION WILL LOWER ITSELF. THIS IS A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER AT UNEXPECTED TIMES AND CAUSES THE DRIVER TO REACH OVER AND PLACE IT UP AS FAR AS POSSIBLE SO THAT VISIBILITY ISN'T REDUCED. THE SUNVISOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED NOR WAS IT SAFE TO DRIVE KNOWING THAT IT MIGHT DROP DOWN. *LN