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Research · Large Cars

2006 Hyundai SonataRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 1,047 owner complaints for the 2006 Hyundai Sonata. Most complaints involve air bags (435) and visibility (156). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Jan 2018
Owner complaints
1,047
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 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

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Jul 21, 2009NHTSA 09V280000
See all 11 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,047 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2005 – Dec 2025
  1. Air bags435
  2. Visibility156
  3. Seat belts102
  4. Suspension86
  5. Electrical system86
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)57
  7. Service brakes51
  8. Exterior lighting45
  9. Engine44

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 Sonata model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199624
199752
199850
1999170
2000278
2001219
2002326
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,380
20121,559
20131,917
2014751
20151,156
2016728
2017769
2018375
2019162
2020183
2021134
202296
202388
202448
202517
20263
Crashes reported
43
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
38
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

435 reports19 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V161000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2024Air bagsODI 11607317

Visibility

156 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DETACHED FROM THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE AND OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. MA 08/11/15 THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO LOCATION. UPDATED 8/14/2015 *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2015VisibilityODI 10726844

Seat belts

102 reports6 crashes
“PASSENGER SEAT BELT TAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO REMAIN SECURED AND LOCKED. HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT POSITIONED PROPERLY. AT NIGHT THE ROAD IS BARELY VISIBLE AND COULD VERY EASILY LEAD TO A CRASH IF NOT PROVIDING PROPER ATTENTION AND FOCUS TO ROAD. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2020Exterior lighting, Seat beltsODI 11328697
All 2006 Sonata problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · 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 Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonata
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$2,500355
Sonata
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
Sonata
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950423
  • Sonata
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 Sonata as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1923
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 Sonata questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata have?

11 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 Sonata problems?

Owners filed 1,047 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (435), visibility (156), seat belts (102). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Hyundai Sonata at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026