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.
Exterior lighting, Mar 15, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I OWN A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA, [XXX] , THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY BURNS OUT THE HEADLAMPS. SINCE PURCHASE IN 2006, THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH 4 SETS OF HEADLAMPS. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD AT NIGHT WHEN BOTH HEADLAMPS BURNED AT ONCE. THIS INCIDENT CREATED A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHERE SHE WAS MOMENTARILY TOTALLY UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS FAILURE MODE SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AND THEIR RESPONSE IS JUST TO RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF BULBS AS THEY BURN OUT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 13, 2010
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA 3RD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING HAS A DESIGN PROBLEM WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE BULB TO BE REPLACED BY THE OWNER. OF COURSE SHORT LIFE BULBS ARE USED SO THE LIGHT BURNS OUT QUICKLY. HYUNDAI'S SOLUTION IS TO BRING THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP AND PAY AROUND $75 FOR THEM TO TAKE OUT THE TRAY BETWEEN THE SEAT AND WINDOW TO GET TO THE BULB TO REPLACE. CONSEQUENTLY, WITH THE STRAINS OF THE ECONOMY MOST PEOPLE HAVE TO CHOOSE TO NOT REPLACE THE BULB. A PROPER DESIGN WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE CAR OWNER TO REPLACE THE BULB. THIS PROBLEM STARTED BACK IN 2008. *TR
Visibility, Mar 12, 2010
THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR HANGS DOWN AND WON'T STAY UP. THE FAILURE OCCURS ALL OF THE TIME. IT WILL EITHER HANG STRAIGHT DOWN BLOCKING MY VIEW OR I TURN IT TOWARDS THE WINDOW BUT THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET IN AND OUT WITHOUT HITTING MY HEAD. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE NOT REPLACED IT YET AS I THINK THE VISOR ASSEMBLY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 60K MILES (NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY) AND DON'T THINK IT IS RIGHT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT. *TR
Suspension, Tires, Mar 8, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH HOUSES PIRELLI CINTURATO P3000 TIRES, LINE SIZE P215/60/R16. WHILE DRIVING, HE WOULD HEAR AN ECHOING HOWL FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SPECIALIST WHERE ROTATION AND BALANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. HE CONTINUED TO HEAR THE NOISE FROM THE TIRE AFTER IT WAS ROTATED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE TIRE SPECIALIST. THE TIRE SPECIALIST ADVISED HIM THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE SHOCK ABSORBER ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN OUT-OF-ROUND AND/OR FAILING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRES, WHICH STOPPED THE NOISE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 26,000 AND THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 4/26/10 *CN UPDATED 05/06/10
Seat belts, Mar 2, 2010
MAY 08,2008, MILEAGE 29302 AIR BAG LIGHT ON, DEALER FOUND CODE B1706 AND REPLACED THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE AUGUST 26,2008 MILEAGE 33292 AIR BAG LIGHT ON, DEALER FOUND CODE B1701 AND REPLACED THE PASSENGER BUCKLE. MAY 04, 2009 MILEAGE 39610 AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND DEALER FOUND RECALL TO CALIBRATE THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION. *TR
Visibility, Feb 24, 2010
HYUNDAI SUN VISORS SWINGS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. MY PASSENGER VISOR BROKE WHILE DRIVING, ABOUT SIX MONTH LATER THE DRIVERS SUN VISOR BROKE. I CONTACTED OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH. WITH THE VISOR N THE DOWN POSSESSION YOU CANT SEE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
WHILE MERGING ON TO HIGHWAY CAR WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING, HAD TO CUT OFF ENGINE TO STOP THE CAR. THIS IS 2ND INCIDENT WITH THE SAME CAR, FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN FEB 2007. GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, PARTS WERE LUBRICATED. AFTER TALKING TO REGIONAL HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE , SERVICE MANAGER MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE FEW SIMILAR INCIDENTS (2007) THAT'S WHY THEY REPLACED THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY. *TR
Visibility, Feb 24, 2010
THE PUMP FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WENT OUT RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 60K MILES. IT WAS EITHER DEFECTIVE OR THIS IS A PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT A MAJOR ISSUE LIKE BRAKES, WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY AND GET SPLASHED WITH MUD FROM A PASSING TRUCK, AND YOU CAN NO LONGER SEE THROUGH YOUR WINDSHIELD SINCE THE WIPERS JUST SMEAR THE MUD OVER THE GLASS, THE ABSENCE OF A WORKING FLUID PUMP COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. MY HUSBAND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND USE WATER FROM A BOTTLE OF DRINKING WATER HE HAD IN THE CAR TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD SO HE CONTINUE DRIVING SAFELY. IN THIS ECONOMY MANY PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PAY THE $120 + TO REPLACE THE PUMP AND WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH DECREASED VISIBILITY. *TR
Visibility, Feb 16, 2010
1. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. 2. PERMANENT FAILURE 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *TR
Visibility, Feb 15, 2010
SUN VISOR ON DRIVERS SIDE WONT STAY UP. *TR
Air bags, Equipment, Feb 15, 2010
HYUNDAI SONATA PASSENGER AND MAIN AIR BAG FAILURE 2006 VEHICLE. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG FAILURE/ RECALL. HYUNDAI STATE ALL WORKING OK, AIR BAG STILL NOT WORKING. HYUNDAI DID NOTHING TO CORRECT PROBLEM. ADULT SITS IN FRONT PASSENGER AND AIR BAG LIGHT STILL DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WERE I DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY WHEN IT HAS TOO. WHAT IS HYUNDAI WAITING FOR, A DEATH DUE TO THE ARROGANCE? NOVEMBER 2009 MAIN AIR BAG INDICATORS COME ON.HYUNDAI DOES DIAGNOSTIC AND TELLS ME SEAT BELT TENSIONER FAILURE. THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT, THEY REPLACE SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND TENSIONERS. MAIN AIR BAG PROBLEM CORRECTED BUT PASSENGER AIR BAG STILL INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD WITH 74,353 MILES . IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE OR A WARRANTY ISSUE? I PAID FOR THE REPAIRS BUT I NEVER KNOW IF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL WORK PROPERLY. WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE IN THIS MATTER SINCE HYUNDAI IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY? ALSO THERE IS A RECALL ON THE HYUNDAI AZER 2006-2009 FOR FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSORS. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I EXPERIENCED IN MY 2006 SONATA. WHO IS TO SAY THAT THEY USED THE SAME PART IN MY VEHICLE? I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU CONTACT ME AND LET ME KNOW HOW I GET REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS AND GET MY CAR SAVE AGAIN. *TR
Visibility, Feb 9, 2010
SUN VISOR FAILS TO STAY IN UP POSITION ON 2006 HYUNDIA SONATA GLS. *TR
Structure, Feb 5, 2010
I OWN A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AND THE SUN VISOR HAS JUST ABOUT DISINTEGRATED. IT WILL NOT STAY UP AND I HAVE TRIED VELCRO, TAPE, ETC. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT JUST FLIPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. DEALER SAY NOT A RECALL. *TR
Visibility, Feb 5, 2010
I HAVE AN '06 SONATA, AND THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR ON IT HAVE BROKEN. THE PLASTIC APPEARS TO BE CRACKING AROUND THE EDGE WHERE THE METAL BAR ENTERS THE VISOR, LEAVING SHARP EDGES EXPOSED. *TR
Seat belts, Feb 5, 2010
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA 3 TIMES IN 85,000 MILES, TWICE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ONCE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE PROBLEM IS THE SENSOR THAT TRIGGERS THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND PREVENTS THE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING. IT IS AN UNUSUAL DEFECT AND TO HAVE IT HAPPEN 3 TIMES WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY ON THE SIDE OF THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT SENSOR. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS WAS WITH LESS THEN 8,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
Air bags, Feb 3, 2010
NOTICED ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING ALONE ON HIGHWAY THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON. BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD "RF BUCKLE AND OCS FAILURE". NEITHER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS I WAS 3,000 MILES OVER, AND HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID#: 08V161000). TO DATE (2/03/10), NO REPAIRS OR SOLUTION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2010
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA - WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL ESPECIALLY DURING CITY DRIVING (NYC), THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD. OTHER TIMES WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL IT IS SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IT LURCHES FORWARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR 3 TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO PROBLEM, THAT IT WAS PROBABLY FROM THE MAT CAUSING THE PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND AFTER THE RECENT PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA'S GAS PEDALS I WANTED TO BRING THIS PROBLEM TO YOUR ATTENTION. HYUNDAI CORPORATE HAS NOW ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CARE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TEST DRIVE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Jan 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. HE STATED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE WARNING PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED WITH CODES 1448 AND RESET THE SENSOR LIGHT BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES WHERE THEY RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND STATED ALL REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY. THE FOURTH TIME THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE WARNING PANEL, THE DEALER STATED THE OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AT THE TIME. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE CAMPAIGN (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000; COMPONENT: AIR BAGS; POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 393308). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 93,359. *KMJ
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 27, 2010
TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OWNS TWO OF THESE VEHICLES AND WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BETWEEN 10 TO 30 MPH WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES BARELY WORKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAINLY OCCURS IN COLD SNOWY WEATHER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59000. UPDATED 03/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/14/10. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 13, 2010
BRAKES ON BOTH OF MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATAS OFTEN FREEZE DURING BLOWING SNOW OR AFTER DRIVING THROUGH SNOW. THUS, THE BRAKES WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE AFTER IT HAS BEEN PARKED, OR THEY WILL INADEQUATELY SLOW/STOP THE CAR WHEN BRAKING. THIS OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY WHENEVER IT SNOWS, EVEN IF IT ONLY SNOWS A LITTLE . SOMEHOW, I'M SPECULATING, THE SNOW BLOWS INTO THE BRAKES (CALIPERS?) AND MAKES THEM DYSFUNCTIONAL. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI SONATAS IN THE NORTHERN TIER OF STATES. THE WORST CASE HAPPENED TO ME DURING THE RECENT 2009 CHRISTMAS SNOWSTORM IN THE MIDWEST. I COULD ONLY GET MY CAR TO BARELY STOP EVEN WHEN I WAS MOVING LESS THAN 10 MILES AN HOURS. THANK GOODNESS I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WINTERS, BUT THIS LATEST INCIDENT PROMPTED ME TO NOTIFY NHTSA. THANK YOU. *TR
Tires, Jan 11, 2010
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, NORTH BOUND ON ROUTE 8 IN CONNECTICUT (IN THE AREA OF TORRINGTON) AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AT 12:30 PM ON THE JANUARY 10, 2010. IT WAS A CLEAR AND SUNNY DAY WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW TO MID 30'S. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR (IN THE FRONT SEAT) AND TWO SNOW BOARDS AND SOME SNOWBOARDING EQUIPMENT IN THE TRUNK. WITH NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, THE SIDE WALL OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE FAILED IN TWO PLACES WITH A LOUD BANG AND AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF PRESSURE. AS SOON AS IT WAS SAFE (ABOUT A HALF MILE AS THIS SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY HAS NO SHOULDER) THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND THE TIRE CHANGED. THE TWO HOLES IN THE TIRE ARE APPROXIMATELY THREE INCHES APART. ONE IS 1" BY 2". THE OTHER IS 1/2" X 1 5/8". BOTH HOLES GO THROUGH ALL LAYERS OF THE TIRE. THE MATERIAL FROM THE FIRST HOLE WAS EJECTED FROM THE TIRE. THE AIR PRESSURE IN ALL TIRES WAS CHECKED AND SET BY KEY HYUNDAI OF MILFORD ON NOVEMBER 14, 2009. THE TREAD WAS CHECKED BY KEY HYUNDAI OF MILFORD ON DECEMBER 30, 2009 AND FOUND TO BE LOW BUT SAFE FOR A FEW THOUSAND MORE MILES. THE EXACT TIRE LINE IS ENERGY MXV4 S8. *TR
Visibility, Jan 11, 2010
THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. . IT HANGS DOWN OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW. THIS LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE NJ TURNPIKE CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. A STATE TROOPER SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND PULLED IN BEHIND ME. WHEN I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION HE SAID THAT HE KNEW OF SEVERAL OTHER SONATA'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 4, 2010, crash
TRACTOR TRAILER, TRAILER PORTION STRUCK VEHICLE SENDING IT TOWARD MEDIAN DIVIDER. BRAKES WORKED WELL DURING EMERGENCY MANEUVER HOWEVER, A NO BRAKE SITUATION OF AN APPROXIMATE 10 -20 SECOND DURATION OCCURRED AFTER VEHICLE RECOVERY. BRAKES THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR
Visibility, Jan 3, 2010
2006 HYUNDAI SONATA, LEFT SUN VISOR IS DEFECTIVE AND KEEPS FALLING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Seat belts, Dec 31, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.