Research · Large Cars

2006 Hyundai AzeraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 188 owner complaints for the 2006 Hyundai Azera. Most complaints involve air bags (57) and exterior lighting (47). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Jan 2018
Owner complaints
188
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

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 .

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V026000

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Aug 12, 2013NHTSA 13V354000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 AZERA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2008. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR MAY SUSTAIN DAMAGE AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE SEAT BELT. IF THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING BECOMES DAMAGED THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Air bagsReported Jan 8, 2010NHTSA 10V007000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

188 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2006 – Nov 2024
  1. Air bags57
  2. Exterior lighting47
  3. Electrical system33
  4. Seat belts25
  5. Suspension20
  6. Seats11
  7. Service brakes11
  8. Engine9
  9. Vehicle speed control9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Azera model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2006188
2007132
200869
200926
20108
201120
201274
2013112
201449
20159
201615
201712
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

57 reports6 crashes
“The air bag light came on for the front passenger seat. I took it to Grayson Hyundai & they tried to get part #88840-3L500-J9 which is the latch right front buckle assembly. I was told there was no part available because my car is a 2006 & manufactures are only required to carry parts for 10 years. I was also told if the air bags worried me to trade cars. I would think the seat belt buckle for a safety feature like the air bag would have to always be available. I have owned this car since 2006, it only has 26,600 miles on it. It has always been garage kept & literally looks like a new one EXCEPT I have NO air bags. Also, today I was told part #88840-3L500-J9 is on a National Parts List, whatever that means. Surely this has happened to someone else. I just decided to report it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2023Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11549423

Exterior lighting

47 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI AZERA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD ONLY VIEW THE ROAD ONCE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E021000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB HOWARD HYUNDAI (613 SW 74TH ST, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73139, (405) 634-8900) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2019Exterior lightingODI 11277398

Electrical system

33 reports2 fires
“When driving, if you encounter even a small bump in the road, the car jumps as if it were a train jumping the tracks and getting back on track. If it's raining, it feels as though the vehicle is sliding across the road. (Finally, realizing that I WAS sliding across the road).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2024Suspension, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11625930
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Azera
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,200444
  • Azera
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Hyundai Azera as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1925
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Azera questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Hyundai Azera have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Hyundai Azera problems?

Owners filed 188 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (57), exterior lighting (47), electrical system (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Hyundai Azera get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Hyundai Azera at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026