2006 Hyundai Elantra

Routine

Owners filed 155 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Hyundai Elantra years to avoid. Which Hyundai Elantra years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
68,000 milesMedian miles at failure

126 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2006 Hyundai Elantra problems

54 of the 155 complaints (35%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags41
908
Exterior Lighting · headlights19
000
Service Brakes · brakes18
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration10
404
Electrical System8
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags8
503
Visibility4
000
Structure › Body · body and frame4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes4
200
Steering3
200

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09V280000
Filed Jul 21, 20093,011 vehiclesHyundai Caribbean-Puerto Rico

Defect. 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.

Risk. ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-787-999-4310.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash
Filed Aug 5, 2021VA

My son was driving our 2006 Hyundai Elantra and crashed into the end of a guardrail. The air bag did not deploy. The car was declared a total loss by the insurance company. I am concerned that the airbag did not deploy with the severity of the crash. I have uploaded three pictures of the car and one of the end of the guardrail that was impacted. The estimate for speed at impact was 35 mph. The weather was sunny, dry and above 80 degrees. about 6:30PM Eastern time.

Structure › Body
Filed May 3, 2021130,000 milesNH

WENT FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD MY FRONT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS UNDER RECALL, BUT UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS SAME PART FOR OTHER YEARS OF THIS CAR BUT APPARANTLY THE 2006 WAS NOT INCLUDED, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR OTHER REPAIRS UNDER THE PRETENSE THAT THE SUB FRAME WOULD BE FIXED BY A DEALERSHIP FOR FREE DUE TO THE RECALL.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 18, 2021OH

EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE LOWER ENGINE SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER: THE SUBFRAME HAS ROTTED LOOSE AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS RATTLE THE SUBFRAME FROM WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED. THIS ELANTRA WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ONLY HAS 44000 MILES. THE CONTROL ARMS WILL TEAR AWAY FROM THE LOOSE SUBFRAME AND CAUSE A LOOS OF CONTROL ACCIDENT.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 11, 202065,000 milesRI

I NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON NEAR MY DASHBOARD WHERE ARE THE SPEEDOMETER IS AND WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY CAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS OFF I DON'T BELIEVE MY SENSORS WORK FOR MY AIRBAGS

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 2020103,072 milesVA

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BUT MY FUSES ARE NOT BLOWN.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 7, 2020140,000 milesAZ

AFTER OWNING TWO '06 ELANTRAS, I'VE COME TO REALIZE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE TURNER INDICATOR IS ENGAGED, THE REST OF THE DASHBOARD HAS A TENDENCY TO SHORT OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 6, 2019OH

AIR BAG LIGHT ON BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER CAR OFF AND FOOT NOT PUSHING THEM ON

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Oct 18, 2019135,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT AND SMOKE WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS AND INJURIES TO THE EYES, CHEST, AND CHIN. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 5, 2019133,676 milesID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POLICE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,676.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 25, 201995,000 milesNM

I REAR-ENDED SOMEONE AT AROUND 30-35 MPH. THE VEHICLE I HIT WAS STATIONARY. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS LEFT ON. NO ONE WAS INJURED.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 201889,000 milesCA

MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING ALL OF A SUDDEN. I REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND NOTHING CHANGED. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION AND DESCRIBES IN DETAIL THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR BUT MY VIN DOES NOT APPEAR TO QUALIFY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 23, 2018170,000 milesCA

THE CAR AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RELATED TO ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR. A MECHANIC READ CODE B1448 FOR A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI'S AND THE ACCENT'S WERE RECALLED BUT NOT THE ELANTRA. I SUSPECT THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM IS HAPPENING WITH THE 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA OCCUPANT SENSOR.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 20, 2018140,000 milesDC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 13, 2018103,000 milesCT

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE CENTER HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE I'VE GOTTEN THE CAR, THE LIGHT NEVER USED TO GO OFF WHEN AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAGS WERE DISABLED. NOW THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND DOES NOT EVER GO OFF, MEANING ALL AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. IT CAME ON UPON STARTING UP MY VEHICLE AND HAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, BUT IS NOT REPORTED PROPERLY VIA NHTSA, INSTEAD MANY COMPLAINTS ARE MADE VIA FORUMS. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON, TURNING THE WHEEL AND USING THE BLINKER CAUSES ALL DASH LIGHTS AS WELL AS MY HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO FLICKER BRIEFLY. REAR WINDOWS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE ROLLED DOWN VIA THE MAIN CONTROL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, ONLY CAN BE ROLLED UP.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 2, 201868,000 milesNY

THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT HAS TO DO WITH THE B1448 OC SENSOR MAT DEFECT, I HAVE AN AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND HAVE USED A SCAN TOOL AND GOT THE CODE FOR THE B1448 OC SENSOR MAT DEFECT. THIS ISSUE WAS GIVEN A RECALL FOR THE HYUNDAI SONATA BUT I HAVE A HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND THERE IS NO RECALL BUT MY CAR FACES THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE READ THAT DEALERS TRY TO CHARGE AS MUCH AS $1,000 TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed May 21, 2018NY

AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATED FOR 10+ YEARS, WILL NOT SHUT OFF. PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT IN CENTER CONSOLE WILL NOT ILLUMINATE REGARDLESS OF EVEN WHEN A SMALL STATURED PASSENGER IS PRESENT OR THERE IS NO PASSENGER AT ALL.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 24, 2018155,000 milesNY

MY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR NO LONGER DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER, SO MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ALWAYS ON, WHEN THE SEAT IS BOTH OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED. ALSO, MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NO LONGER WORKS, SO MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES OCCUR INCESSANTLY.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2017118,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON CONDUCTING RESEARCH, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AS A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 201785,558 milesTX

ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK TODAY REVEALED ALL OF THE BREAK LIGHTING WAS NOT WORKING ON OUR 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CHECKED FUSE AND BULB AND ALL ARE WORKING. SEARCHED THIS WEBSITE AND FOUND RECALLS FOR MANY MODELS AND YEARS OF HYUNDAI, BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL. I NOTICED ALSO THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THESE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED WITH THE INSTALATION OF A NEW SWITCH

Air Bags
Filed May 24, 2017MA

MY CAR HAS HAD ENGINE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF FOR YEARS ON THEIR OWN, WINDOWS THAT YOU USE ONE SWITCH FOR THAT MAKE A DIFFERENT WINDOW GO DOWN AND THEN SOMETIMES THEY DON'T GO UP, MY BRAKES HAVEN'T RELEASED THE CRUISE CONTROL AT TIMES AND NOW MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF SO I CAN'T PASS INSPECTION. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH AND WANT IT FIXED, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 13, 2017PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 5, 2016155,000 milesNJ

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON 2 WEEKS AGO, TECHNICIAN SAID THE CODE IS B1448 PASSENGER SEAT MAT CUSHION SENSOR. I AM TOLD THAT ALL AIR BAGS ARE NOW DISABLED AND THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I SEE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE IN JUST THE LATEST INCIDENT REPORTS. THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY HYUNDAI AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 25, 201674,000 milesNJ

AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS LIT ALL THE TIME. DEALER HAS RESET THE LIGHT ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT IT KEEPS COMING BACK AFTER A FEW DRIVES IN THE CAR. DEALER SAYS THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR IS SHORTED OUT. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT WHILE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS LIT, THE AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED AND WILL NOT DEPLOY, EVEN IF IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW I OWN A CAR THAT WILL NOT PROTECT ME IN A CRASH AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER SAYS THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM COSTING OVER $1400. THE CAR IS NOT WORTH MUCH MORE THAN THAT, BUT IT IS WORTH ALOT TO ME BECAUSE I NEED IT FOR TRANSPORTATION.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 11, 2016CA

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

Air Bags
Filed Oct 13, 2016114,000 milesFL

AIR BAG LIGHT ON / EMMISIONS AIR BAG ALL SENORS WERE SWAPPED AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD THE CUSHION SHOULD BE REPLACED SINCE THE SENSOR SWAP DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. $1500 EMISSIONS/ PUMPING GAS FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. GAS PUMP KICKS OUT AFTER 2-3 SECONDS WHEN PUTTING IN GAS. NOW I'M TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE CHARCOAL CANISTER, CANISTER CLOSE VALVE, PURGE CONTROL VALVE, AND VENT VALVE. IF I DON'T I EVENTUALLY WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT GAS IN THE TANK. $1,100 THEY ARE BOTH SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. THESE ARE SIMPLE CONSUMABLE PIECES LIKE FLUIDS, VALUES, HOSES OR FILTERS.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2016NC

2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. CALLED HYUNDAI (800.633.5151) SINCE THIS MODEL AND YEAR WAS UNDER HYUNDAI RECALL# 092 (HTSA 09V280000). PROVIDED VIN NUMBER AND REPRESENTATIVE (KAYLA) TOLD ME THAT THAT SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT ELIGIBLE AND THAT I COULD SEND A POSTAGE LETTER TO A PO BOX FOR APPEAL. OBVIOUSLY I AM GOING TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC TO REPAIR TO AVOID ANY INJURY.

Engine
Filed Oct 4, 201686,000 milesUT

OUR CAR BLEW A HEAD GASKET AND NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. IT IS, ESSENTIALLY, TOTALED. IT ONLY HAD 86,000 MILES ON IT AND WE HAD PLANNED ON DRIVING IT FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN A PARKING GARAGE ALL DAY. IT WAS ONLY 80 DEGREES OUTSIDE. WITHIN 10 MILES OF DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN ANOTHER 5 MILES THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND BLEW A HEAD GASKET. THIS WAS NORMAL, FLAT, FREEWAY DRIVING. FORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS DRIVING, HAD MADE HIS WAY TO THE RIGHT LANE WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS ABLE TO GET SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN TO OTHERS, AND MAY HAVE MORE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS. I'M NOT AWARE OF A RECALL BEING OUT ON THIS, BUT PERHAPS THERE SHOULD BE.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 9, 201682,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED UNCONTROLLABLY AND WAS PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ROAD SALT RUSTED THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ISSUED A CLAIM NUMBER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 24, 201684,000 milesRI

THE REAR CROSS MEMBER THAT SUPPORTS THE REAR WHEELS ON THE 2006 ELANTRA WE OWN IS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT THE NUTSERTS HAVE FALLEN AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE RESULTING FREEPLAY IN THE REAR WHEELS CAUSED THE CAR TO FISHTAIL ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. AFTER NO HELP FROM HYUNDAI REGIONAL MANAGER AND CORPORATE OFFICE, WE RESEARCHED THIS CONDITION ONLINE. SEEMS THAT 2000-2003 ELANTRAS AND SEVERAL YEARS OF THE SONATA MODELS HAVE THIS VERY SAME DEFECT. OUR YEAR AND MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN SEVERE FRAME ROT RECALLS, BUT IT SHOULD BE. BASED ON OUR RESEARCH, THESE PARTS RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND GENERALLY START ON THE RIGHT SIDE. OURS IS SO CRUMBLED, IT HAS ROTTED IN HALF. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THIS CAR MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR EITHER A RECALL OR A BUYBACK. I'M QUOTING THIS FROM THE SITE: "CRITICAL VEHICLE COMPONENTS THAT BREAK, FALL APART OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING POTENTIAL LOSS OD VEHICLE CONTROL OR INJURY TO PERSONS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE." MY WIFE WAS LUCKY SHE WASN'T GOING 65 ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. JUDGING BY THE EXISTING CLASS ACTION SUITS WE'VE SEEN ONLINE AGAINST HYUNDAI FOR THIS VERY SAME RUST PROBLEM IN OTHER MODEL YEARS, IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THEY ARE USING THE SAME REAR WHEELBASE SUPPORT DESIGN AND FLAWED STEEL COMPONENTS IN ALL THEIR MID-SIZED SEDANS.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 22, 2016FL

WAS FLAGGED BY PASSING MOTORIST THAT BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. CHECKED FUSES AND THEY WERE GOOD. WAS ADVISED THERE COULD BE AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. Y THIS VIN WAS NOT LISTED WITH THE RECALL DESPITE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT TIME OF NOTIFICATION.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 18, 2016163,468 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. ALSO, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,468.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 24, 2016122,100 milesSC

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOTICED ON THIS SITE UNDER COMPLAINTS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS. ALSO THAT THE 2005 & 2007 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS, EXPLAIN TO MY WHY THE 2006 MODELS HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. HYUNDAI SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND IF THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 1, 2016FL

AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 18, 2016108,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN IT WAS OBSERVED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Jan 5, 2016153,354 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN OPERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000(EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,354.

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior1 injured
Filed Sep 25, 201540,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER DOOR EXPLODED, STRUCK HER ON THE HEAD, AND LANDED ON HER LAP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 31, 201575,000 milesDC

HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE DESPITE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER AND CLEAN THROTTLE BODY. REMOVED AND CLEANED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WITH THROTTLE BODY CLEANER, WHICH SMOOTHED OUT ROUGH IDLE BUT STUCK THROTTLE AT HIGH AND INCREASING RPM (GETTING LOUDER) IN PARK GEAR WHEN PARKING AFTER DRIVING. SUSPECTED AND REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT IT WAS ELECTRONIC, NOT SPRING ACTIVATED, AND CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE SAME HIGH RPMS BEFORE PARKING. WAS DRIVING ON 50 MPH HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS (RT. 50 IN VIRGINIA), CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND COULD NOT STOP CAR---RPMS INCREASED WHILE IN DRIVE GEAR DESPITE BRAKES BEING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. WOULD HAVE RUN THROUGH RED LIGHT AT HIGH SPEED IF HAD NOT SHUT OFF ENGINE BEFORE INTERSECTION. REPLACED WITH NEW AFTERMARKET IAC (IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE) AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 6, 2015AK

OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) SHOULD BE REPROGRAMMED. NHTSA TSB#0590003 AND HYUNDAI TSB#06-90-010 COVER THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN SMALLER STATURED ADULT SITS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THEREFORE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. BOTH OF THESE TSBS ARE FOR THE 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 19, 2015114,071 milesME

I HAVE A BAD BRAKE SWITCH, AND NOTICED THAT THE ONLY RECALL IS IN PUERTO RICO. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI AMERICA SHOULD BE RECALLING ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. I HAVE NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW AND MAKE HYUNDAI FIX THIS "SAFETY "ISSUE. THANK YOU.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 23, 2015FL

AIRBAGS LIGHTS STAY ON

Service Brakes
Filed May 12, 201576,000 milesNV

BRAKE SWITCH BAD, NO BRAKE LIGHTS. OCCASIONALLY, IT WOULD KEEP THE CAR FROM STARTING. HAD TO REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE AS HYUNDAI SAID MY CAR WAS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLS FOR THE BAD BRAKE SWITCH.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 4, 2015CA

WAS STOPPED BY FELLOW MOTORIST SAYING BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. FUSES GOOD. SEE OTHER POSTS WHEN I GOOGLE THIS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 25, 2015206,000 milesNC

PRIOR TO THIS DATE HAD ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SUCH AS BACK LIGHTING OF STEREO AND ASH TRAY, CD PLAYER MALFUNCTIONING PAST FEW YEARS, MORE RECENTLY ODOMETER BACK LIGHT ALSO DOES NOT LIGHT. PREVIOUS REPORT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHTING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN NOBODY WAS SITTING IN SEAT, OR IF PURSE ON SEAT, LESS THAN 10 LBS. THEN AT ABOUT 206,000 MILES, MY ESTIMATE DRIVER INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATOR ON FIRST SOME TIMES, THEN SHORTLY AFTER ON ALL THE TIME. AFTER READING NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS AND SEEING YEARS PRIOR AND POST MY 2006 HAD RECALLS AS DID OTHER SIMILAR CARS AND THAT AIRBAGS FAILED, I AM VERY CONCERNED. HYUNDAI SEEMS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED AND A SPONTANEOUS ELECTRICAL FIRE IS A MAIN CONCERN. I HAD MY STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP SEVERAL YEARS AGO AFTER A RECALL. THE REPLACEMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FREE HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ONLY AND ADVISORY AND NOT A RECALL AND WAS MADE TO PAY $50 TO REPLACE THE $7.00 STOP LAMP SWITCH PART. I LATER WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT INDEED IT WAS A RECALL AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD SCAMMED ME BY CHARGING LABOR TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. I BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES ARE A DANGER, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE MAY ALSO BE ISSUES WITH CRUISE CONTROL BY STOP LAMP, AND I AM NOT CERTAIN WITH SEVERAL YEARS AND MILES DRIVING THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS STILL FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE RECALL OF 2006 & A DESIGN CHANGE WITH AMPLE TESTING TO PROVE THESE IMPORTS ARE NOT CUTTIN

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2015100,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A CRASH WAS PREVENTED DUE TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 201490,888 milesAZ

UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT REAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE BRAKE SERVICE PROVIDER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRUM COULD NOT BE REMOVED DUE THE FACT THAT THE SHOES WERE EXTENDED TO FAR. THERE WAS NO WAY TO MANUALLY ADJUST THEM IN AS THERE WAS NO ACCESS HOLE ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE DRUM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT TO ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THEM UNDER THE CONDITIONS CREATED THERE WOULD BE DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION OF PARTS INVOLVED. PROVIDER WAS ABLE TO VISIBLY INSPECT THE BRAKE SHOES AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS PLENTY OF MATERIAL REMAINING. WHY WOULD THERE BE NO ACCESS TO ADJUST? *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 24, 2014132,000 milesTN

NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. DEALER SAYS IT IS SENSOR IN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. WHEN DEALER RECEIVED PART IT WOULD NOT FIT BECAUSE IT IS A THREE-PRONG DESIGN RATHER THAN A TWO PRONG DESIGN SUCH AS WAS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED. DEALER INDICATES THAT HYUNDAI SWITCHED TO A THREE-PRONG DESIGN IN MID-2006 MODEL YEAR. THIS NECESSITATES THE PURCHASE OF A SEAT CUSHION FOR THE CAR THAT THE THREE PRONG SENSOR CAN PLUG INTO. THE SENSOR PRICE WITH LABOR IS ABOUT $300 AND THE SEAT CUSHION PART PRICE IS $800. I BELIEVE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THAT ELANTRAS FROM 2007 MODEL YEAR FORWARD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME THING. I BELIEVED THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS PROBLEM WAS FILED IN CALIFORNIA ALLEGING AMONG MANY OTHER THINGS THAT HYUNDAI HAD PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 ELANTRA AND OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS. THE DEALER DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY FOR A SMALLER PERSON. I BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Oct 31, 201460,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PARKING, THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Sep 30, 201487,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 30, 201426,000 milesNY

WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER (WEIGHT 125 LBS) IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED" INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS REMAINING UNDEPLOYED, POSSIBLY FURTHER RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 2, 2014104,000 milesCA

I HAVE NOTICED EVER SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR EVERYTIME, I HAVE ALSO READ ONLINE THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM , SO WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, HYUNDAI THEMSELVES HAVE ALREADY ADMITTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS A WEAK SYNCRO THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE TRANSMISSION CEASING AND SOMEONE POSSIBLY BEING KILLED, SO WHY NO RECALL, DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 155, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20263300Routine
202522000Routine
202456100Routine
2023101200Routine
2022102510Routine
2021132611Fatalities reported
2020254362Fatalities reported
2019252131Fatalities reported
2018284071Fatalities reported
2017770460Above average
2016293250Above average
2015262380Above average
20143862162Fatalities reported
20131,3144310High concern
20126544120Above average
2011433580Above average
2010380391Fatalities reported
20092544110Above average
20083157240High concern
20072676130Above average
2006 — this page155100Routine
2005137430Routine
2004182520Routine
2003234510Above average
2002342642Fatalities reported
2001315641Fatalities reported
2000197120Routine
1999128220Routine
199855000Routine
1997115301Fatalities reported
1996100332Fatalities reported
1995112150Routine
199476220Routine
199324010Routine
199229040Routine

Compare every Elantra year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 21, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.