What are the most common problems with the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?

The biggest group in the NHTSA complaints is air bags, with 435 complaints. Visibility follows with 156 and seat belts with 102.

Does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Yes, the by-year data lists 9 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.

How many complaints does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata have?

NHTSA has 1,047 owner complaints on file. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata get?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Is the 2006 Hyundai Sonata a good year to buy?

See the by-year comparison on this page to put 2006 next to the other years. The air bag complaints are worth checking before you buy.

2006 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 1,047 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Hyundai Sonata^[1]. The air bags group is the biggest, with 435 complaints^[2].

1,047owner complaints^[1]

9recalls^[3]

21–25MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints under several parts of the car, and these groups come up most.

Air Bags. 435 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a passenger air bag warning light that stays on even when an adult sits in the seat, or that comes and goes. In the stories we read, dealers often could not find a cause or suggested the passenger was too light.
Visibility. 156 complaints^[5]. Owners describe power windows that stop moving, door locks that quit, a washer pump that does not work, and a sun visor that breaks and hangs down in the driver's view.
Seat Belts. 102 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a warning chime that keeps repeating while the car is parked, a driver belt that rubs against the neck, and a passenger belt that did not hold during a crash.
Suspension. 86 complaints^[7].
Electrical System. 86 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a cooling fan that stopped working, lights and a radio that shut off while driving, and the air bag warning light again.
Brakes. 85 complaints^[9].
Engine. 73 complaints^[10].
Electronic Stability Control. 57 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2006 Sonata is necessarily included.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (18V026), January 2018. About 87,854 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Suspension › Rear (13V354), August 2013. About 364,502 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[13]
Exterior Lighting (09V280), July 2009. About 3,011 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch (09V122), April 2009. About 532,633 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags (08V161), April 2008. About 393,308 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[16]
Equipment › Other › Labels (06V234), June 2006. About 43,301 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Exterior Lighting › Headlights (06V180), May 2006. About 463 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner (05V377), August 2005. About 36,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Electronic Stability Control › Automatic (Asc) (05V316), July 2005. About 1,970 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking.^[20]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	21 / 30 / 24	$2,800
Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	21 / 31 / 25	$2,700
Sonata, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD^[23].

How 2006 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sonata model year. The 2006 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	66	2
1996	23	1
1997	49	2
1998	49	1
1999	170	4
2000	276	4
2001	205	3
2002	320	7
2003	199	6
2004	202	1
2005	165	1
2006	1,047	9
2007	696	5
2008	425	3
2009	460	2
2010	345	2
2011	3,474	17
2012	1,712	11
2013	2,024	11
2014	778	8
2015	1,207	12
2016	886	9
2017	879	5
2018	383	2
2019	172	0
2020	197	4
2021	189	4
2022	113	3
2023	103	2
2024	55	1
2025	28	0
2026	6	1

NHTSA's counts for the Sonata show 1,047 complaints and 9 recalls for 2006^[3]. Among the 33 model years listed, 28 have fewer complaints than 2006 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2011 (3,474)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2006 Sonata?

The complaint record for this model year is large, and the air bags group leads it^[2]. Some reports mention crashes, fires or injuries, so those deserve a close look^[1]. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, and one report can name more than one part. A used 2006 Sonata is worth a careful inspection of the air bag light and the seat belts. Check the recall section on this page too, since recalls exist for this year^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?: The biggest group in the NHTSA complaints is air bags, with 435 complaints^[2]. Visibility follows with 156^[5] and seat belts with 102^[6].
Does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?: Yes, the by-year data lists 9 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
How many complaints does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata have?: NHTSA has 1,047 owner complaints on file^[1]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata get?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2006 Hyundai Sonata a good year to buy?: See the by-year comparison on this page to put 2006 next to the other years. The air bag complaints are worth checking before you buy^[2].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Hyundai Sonata

2006 this page
2011 3,474 complaints, 17 recalls
2012 1,712 complaints, 11 recalls
2013 2,024 complaints, 11 recalls
2015 1,207 complaints, 12 recalls
2016 886 complaints, 9 recalls
2017 879 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 383 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Hyundai Sonata

Other Hyundai models from 2006

2006 Hyundai Santa Fe 106 complaints, 1 recall

All Hyundai models

Similar cars from 2006: large cars

2006 Chrysler 300 1,750 complaints, 4 recalls
2006 Ford Taurus 318 complaints, 2 recalls
2006 Lincoln Town Car 143 complaints, 2 recalls
2006 Toyota Avalon 360 complaints, 7 recalls

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 1,047 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Hyundai Sonata (43 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 38 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
435 complaints name the air bags component group (19 crashes, 1 fires, 23 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Sonata model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
156 complaints name the visibility component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
102 complaints name the seat belts component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
86 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 111,000). NHTSA vehicle records
86 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
85 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
73 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,850). NHTSA vehicle records
57 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,511). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 18V026, filed January 9, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V354, filed August 12, 2013: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V280, filed July 21, 2009: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V122, filed April 15, 2009: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 08V161, filed April 10, 2008: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 06V234, filed June 26, 2006: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 06V180, filed May 22, 2006: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 05V377, filed August 29, 2005: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 05V316, filed July 7, 2005: Electronic Stability Control › Automatic (Asc). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sonata, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sonata, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2006 Hyundai Sonata: problems, recalls and fuel economy