Problems · by component

2006 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

44 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Hyundai Sonata cite engine, 4% of all 1,047 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
44
4% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground and the coolant level was abnormally low. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a valve cover leak. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense; however, the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was not contacted. In addition, the contact stated that several other unknown repairs were made; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2025Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11706449
“I am filing this complaint regarding a serious engine issue with my 2006 Hyundai Sonata equipped with a 2.4L GDI engine. My vehicle experienced [engine knocking, stalling, and then seized up indicating complete Engine failure] without warning, posing a potential safety hazard while driving. The issue appears to be identical to the known manufacturing defects that Hyundai has acknowledged in its recall of 2013–2014 Sonata models with the same engine Class Type. Although my vehicle is not currently included in the official recall “ SONATA ENGINE RECALL CAMPAIGN it contains the Theta II MPI Engine which constitutes and Further solidifies proof of the ongoing Manufacturing Defects of Theta Model Engine design and exhibits the same symptoms of sudden engine failure. This raises concerns that the defect may affect a broader range of model years than Hyundai has acknowledged. I urge NHTSA to investigate this issue and determine whether the scope of the current recall should be expanded to include earlier model years such as 2006. The defect creates a significant safety risk to drivers and passengers, and Hyundai should be held accountable for all affected vehicles—not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 25, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11663025
“May 2019: Battery light came on and off for a few minutes. Car sputtered and engine quit. Replaced alternator and battery; problem went away. Feb 2022: Battery light came on and off for a few minutes. Car sputtered and engine quit. Replaced alternator and battery. This time the mechanic noticed that oil was leaking from the front valve cover gasket and was getting into the alternator; thus the most likely source of damage to alternator.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2022Electrical system, EngineODI 11451574
“DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR JUST DIED OUT OF NO WHERE TOOK IT TO GET LOOKED AT ONLY TO FIND OUT THE ENGINE DIED CAR GOT SO HOT IT HAD TO SIT OVER NIGHT TO COOL. ALSO WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND ROOK A TURN AMD MY BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP TOOK IT IN AND FOUND OUT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED HAD TO SPEND THOUSANDS TO GET IT FIXED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 28, 2020Service brakes, EngineODI 11376901
“I HEARD REALLY LOUD SOUND IN THE ENGINE BUT THERE'S NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER OF FEW DAYS OF DRIVING AND THE DAY I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO THE MECHANIC, FEW MILES AWAY FROM THE SHOP THE THE LOUD NOISE IN THE ENGINE IS GONE THEN CHECK ENGINE SHOW UP AND THE OIL PAN APPEARS. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE OIL PUMP AND THEY SAID THERE'S A METAL SHAVING INSIDE THE ENGINE, WHEN THEY DRAIN THE ENGINE OIL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2019EngineODI 11255722
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V026000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2018Service brakes, EngineFire reportedODI 11114927

Showing 6 of 44 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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