Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Hyundai Tucson problems
Owners filed 135 complaints about the 2006 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA between May 2006 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (37).
Complaints
135
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags37
- Electrical system16
- Structure13
- Suspension13
- Steering13
- Engine12
- Vehicle speed control9
- Exterior lighting9
- Engine and engine cooling9
- Service brakes8
- Electronic stability control (esc)8
- Power train8
- Seat belts8
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
12
5
12
13
9
8
9
16
4
5
8
7
5
5
5
4
0
5
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
37 reports11 crashes2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, he noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with the air bag module needing to be replaced. The independent mechanic cleaned the contacts for the seat sensors however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Electrical system
16 reports2 fires
“When it rains my steering wheel locks up when I drive thru a puddle I have brought my car to used car dealer where I bought it from and they say nothing is wrong but steering wheel locks when driving that to me is major problem they checked belt water is getting somewhere and causing a short hence power steering to lock it only happens when it rains”
Structure
13 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear subframe had become inoperable and the contact noticed that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.”
Suspension
13 reports1 crash
“At first brakes were making noise so I went to replace them after getting parts and I noticed that the brake pedal went to the floor I was able to get it on concrete pad but when I jacked it up I say big chunks of rust falling when I looked under car rear axle subframe was pretty much gone after I say that I decided to order the replacement subframe but when it come in and I was getting ready to do it I body mount where it is bolted also needs replaced I was trying to find them when I come across a factory recall about this issue when I contacted them and the dealer about this issue dealer said it couldn't be done because there was nothing left and he refused to put on a lift because he said the rear subframe would fall on ground but manufacturer denied to repair or make any resolutions for it even though they had in past and they new about the problem I have found over 1000 issues listed and they have repaired a bunch of the same vehicles for the same issue I told them I never received anything about the issue and they said it was my responsibility not there's so not only did they not do or even try to do what they have on recall but they refused to do…”
Steering
13 reports
“Rear control arm mount broke away from subframe while on the highway going 65mph. Violent shaking and steering malfunction occurred immediately. Passed WV inspection just a few months ago.”
Engine
12 reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light and the TPMS warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the engine overheated. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall and Technical Service Bulletin: 952. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.