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ProblemsByVin File / 2006-HYUNDAI-SONATA
2006 · Hyundai

Hyundai Sonata problems

4 safety recalls. 1,047 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
5.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
398 reports · avg $1,100
critical
visibility
178 reports · avg $350
moderate
suspension
73 reports · avg $900
moderate
electrical
68 reports · avg $850
moderate
brakes
53 reports · avg $450
severe
engine
46 reports · avg $3,100
severe
steering
35 reports · avg $700
moderate
cruise control
32 reports · avg $600
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2006 Sonata · seatbelts
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…
12/31/2009 · NHTSA ODI #10297700.0
2006 Sonata · electrical
THE PARKING LIGHTS WILL AUTOMATICALLY COME ON BY ITSELF WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND THERE'S NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE RETURNED TO MY CAR FROM WORK AND THE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON DRAINING THE BATTERY. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE PARKING LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND GO OFF AS WELL AS…
12/30/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10817022.0
2006 Sonata · airbags
MY 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY DASH. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 12/9/15 AND AFTER A $120 DIAGNOSIS FEE WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND THAT THE COST WOULD BE NEAR $500. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE…
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669056.0
2006 Sonata · airbags
PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY ON. DIAGNOSIS WAS "PASSENGER SIDE PRE TENSIONER" SINCE THIS TIME THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. THE SEAT ITSELF WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS IN DECEMBER 2012. SERVICE SAYS THAT THE OCCUPANT WEIGHT LESS…
12/30/2012 · NHTSA ODI #10490497.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 05V377000 29/08/2005

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 06V234000 26/06/2006

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 06V180000 22/05/2006

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.

Fix: 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.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2006 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 1,047 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Hyundai Sonata has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 398 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Hyundai Sonata has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Hyundai Sonata?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,047 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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