2006 Hyundai Sonata complaints

I JUST HAD TO GET THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER REPORTS SIMILAR TO THE ONE I'M REPORTING HERE. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I HAD TO GET THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT WITHOUT GETTING THESE REPLACED WHEN I DID THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY, WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. SEARCHING NHTSA FOUND QUITE A FEW SIMILAR REPORTS, AND SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOUND A TON MORE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IMPACTING THE SAFETY OF AT LEAST THIS CAR'S MAKE AND MODEL AS THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY, AND POTENTIALLY OTHER MAKES OR MODELS (I ONLY CHECKED MY OWN). I URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF COMPLAINTS AND THE IMPACT TO THE PASSENGERS' SAFETY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING OPERATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO ASK FOR A DISCOUNT ON REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HYUNDAL DEALER SHOP . THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND THAT OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTED. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS CAN BE FIXED BY REPLACING A WHOLE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH WILL COST ABOUT $1100. I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT DUE TO WEAR. 85% OF THE TIME, PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT IN USE. I FIND IT CURIOUS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM, ON THIS MODEL, AND THAT THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOR MANY AT BETWEEN 50K AND 75K MILES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER SHOP . THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND THAT OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTED, WHICH RESULTED IN FAILURE OF ALL AIRBAGS SYSTEM IN THE CAR. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS CAN BE FIXED BY REPLACING A WHOLE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH WILL COST ABOUT $1065.07 + TAX. PREVIOUSLY, A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM OF OCS (RECALL NUMBER 08V161000). THERE ARE SO MANY SAME COMPLAINTS MADE HERE. THERE SHOULD BE URGENT INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CAUSED BY OWNER/DRIVER. HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY IN US SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS SAFETY ISSUE (IT'S AIR BAGS!!! NOT SOME EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR ISSUE). THIS HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED YET. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE SEAT WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS STILL PRESENT AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,648 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,708. UPDATED 06/29/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED ON MAY 31, 2012. UPDATED 07/09/12

MY DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND CANNOT STAY UP. I HAVE TO PUT IT TO THE SIDE, BUT IT BLOCKS SIDE VIEW DANGEROUSLY. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT FOR SONATA 2006-2008. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THE PROBLEM, BUT NEVER MENTIONED TO ME DURING WARRANTY. MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO HYUNDAI HTTP://WWW.HOWTOMENDIT.COM/ANSWERS.PHP?ID=157121, BUT HYUNDAI SIMPLY IGNORES IT. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

I HAD JUST LEFT THE STOP LIGHT AND WAS GOING UP A HILL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AT 55 MPH, HAD BOTH OF MY FEET ON BRAKE TO STOP CAR BUT ONLY SLOWED DOWN TO 40 AND AGAIN ACCELERATED TO 55MPH, THERE WAS TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WHICH I TRIED TO AVOID FROM HITTING BUT COULD NOT AVOID DUE TO ACCELERATOR KEPT ACCELERATING AND BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE WHICH I THEN CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. FORCED CAR TO PARK AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND TURNED OFF CAR, CAR WAS SMOKING FROM DRIVE SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS TOLD MY FLOORMATS GOT STUCK UNDER GAS PEDAL BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT MY FLOORMATS DO NOT MOVE. *JS

I HAD JUST LEFT THE STOP LIGHT AND WAS GOING UP A HILL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AT 55 MPH, HAD BOTH OF MY FEET ON BRAKE TO STOP CAR BUT ONLY SLOWED DOWN TO 40 AND AGAIN ACCELERATED TO 55MPH, THERE WAS TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WHICH I TRIED TO AVOID FROM HITTING BUT COULD NOT AVOID DUE TO ACCELERATOR KEPT ACCELERATING AND BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE WHICH I THEN CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. FORCED CAR TO PARK AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND TURNED OFF CAR, CAR WAS SMOKING FROM DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. *JS

BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO 'AIR BAG' WARNING LIGHT REMAINING ON CONTINUOUSLY. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT TENSIONER THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $350.00+. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK. CAME HOME AND GOOGLED PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALL LISTED FOR THIS ISSUE YET. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS DISCOVERED QUITE OFTEN WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, MODEL CAR IN THAT WITH THIS PROBLEM THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. IS THERE ANY RESEARCH GOING ON NOW RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM AND WILL A RECALL BE ISSUED IN THE NEAR FUTURE? *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS FRACTURED, CAUSING THEM TO FALL INTO THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VISOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DETECTION SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS ILLEGIBLE UNDER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,920.

HYUNDAI SONATA 2006 ABOUT 89K MILES THAT FAILED MASS STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH BOARD WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE NOT IN ANY ACCIDENTS. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY $100 FEE WAS TOLD THE SEATBELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT $700 TOTAL AND SENSOR PAD ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1000. I INQUIRED IF KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD NO AND THESE THINGS HAPPEN. I AM QUITE LEERY OF MAKING THESE TYPES OF REPLACEMENTS WHEN DEALER CANNOT TELL ME WHY IT HAPPENED AND CHANCE IT WILL JUST REOCCUR. I HAVE NOTICED SAME COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR AND THIS MILEAGE. I BOUGHT PREOWNED AFTER 1 OWNER WHEN CAR LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY COLLISIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE. PRETTY BIG REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT I WOULD NEVER THINK TO RESEARCH PRIOR TO PURCHASING A VEHICLE. *TR

IGNITION KEY DOES NOT TURN AT ALL. STEERING DID NOT LOCK UP INITIALLY, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY ALONG WITH STEERING, IT GOT LOCKED....EVEN AFTER THAT STEERING WOULD MOVE A BIT (NOT REALLY STALLED). CALLED AAA, COUPLE OF GUYS CAME OVER, TRIED TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION BY PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL AND MOVING(SHIFT OVERRIDE), BUT OF NO HELP. CALLED ONE OF MY FRIEND WHO HAS A HYUNDAI SONATA AS WELL, HE SAID IT HAPPENS OFTEN ON HIS CAR...HE TRIED FOR 10-15 MINS...GOT THE MAGICAL COMBINATION OF BRAKE, STEERING AND IGNITION KEY TURNS AND IT FINALLY WORKED. DID A SEARCH ON INTERNET AND APPARENTLY ITS NOT UNCOMMON FOR HYUNDAI'S AT ALL. HATE TO SPEND MONEY FOR A DESIGN FLAW FROM THE MANUFACTURER, ESPECIALLY AS THE CAR IS ONLY 5-6 YEARS OLD. *TR

2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN THE MORNING AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD NO PRESSURE, THAT THE HOUSING WAS MELTED/BURNED AND HAD A FAULTY/WORN CONNECTION. AS SUCH, THE PUMP WAS INOPERABLE CAUSING THE FAILURE. HYUNDAI OF HUNTINGTON, NY STATED BACKORDER OF FUEL PUMPS WITH NO ETA FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND HOUSING WAS ALSO UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS "NOT COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY." INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING SUITABLE REPLACEMENT/NEW PART(S). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY, I NOTICED A LOUD SOUND WHILE TURNING MY CAR. AFTER TAKING IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY POWER STEERING WAS DAMAGED. THIS IS TOO SOON FOR MY VEHICLE TO HAVE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR

SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND OUT OF THE WAY WHEN NOT NEEDED. VISOR FALLS DOWN INTO THE DRIVERS LINE OF VISION ALSO CREATING A CONSTANT DISTRACTION AS THE VISOR DROPS DOWN AND THE DRIVER TRIES TO MOVE IT UP OUT OF THE WAY WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO FOCUS ON TRAFFIC, SIGNALS, ETC. *TR

HEADLIGHTS DIM MOMENTARILY, RADIO GOES OFF MOMENTARILY, PASSENGER SEAT SIDE KICK PANEL RELAY GOES "TICKING" MOMENTARILY, CAR JERKS MOMENTARILY WHEN GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED AND GEAR IS CHANGED FROM 1 TO 2 OR 2 TO 3 WHEN I JUST START MY JOURNEY (I.E. JUST START THE ENGINE AND START DRIVING, USUALLY). IF GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED WHILE ANY OR ALL OF THESE ARE HAPPENING, ABS, BRAKE AND ESC WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON THE DASHBOARD. THESE WARNING LIGHTS REMAIN ON TILL THE NEXT TIME I START A NEW JOURNEY AND WILL ONLY GO OFF IF THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED ABOVE DON'T HAPPEN AS THE GEAR CHANGES FROM 1 TO 2 OR 2 TO 3. I'VE BEEN TO A HYUNDAI DEALER COUNTLESS NUMBER OF TIMES. ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED. GROUND WIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED. THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PLEASE FIX THIS. IT HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM AND STILL IS CREATING PROBLEMS FOR HYUNDAI SONATA OWNERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND WOULD PREVENTS HER FROM TURNING ON THE IGNITION OR OPENING THE DOORS WITH THE AUTOMATIC KEY FOB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 102,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ONLY WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SEAT WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND SEAT BELT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COMPONENTS WOULD POSSIBLY FAIL AGAIN DUE TO A DEFECT WITH THE SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

THREE OUT OF MY FOUR DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF OF MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST TWO FELL OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE THIRD RECENTLY FELL OFF AND I HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THE PART THAT HOLDS THE DOOR HANDLE ON IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR OR LABOR. *TR

SUN VISOR IS NOT FOLDING UP OBSTRUCTING DRIVER VIEW AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHILCE WAS AWAITING REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND WILL NOT STAY UP. IT IMPAIRS THE ABILITY TO DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY BY PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE WINDSHIELD AND/OR REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO DRIVE WITH ONE HAND SO THE OTHER HAND CAN HOLD UP THE VISOR. *TR

THE SAFETY LABELS ON THE VISORS HAVE CURLED UP AND LOST THEIR ADHESION TO THE VISORS MAKING THE LABELS UNREADABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON 4/26/05. A NHTSA SAFETY RECALL, CAMPAIGN ID NO. 06V234000 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECT FOR VEHICLES BUILT MAY 15, 2005 THROUGH AUGUST 2005. THIS RECALL WAS INADEQUATE TO INCLUDE ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. IT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THESE EARLIER BUILT VEHICLES. *KB

AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ON TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 2 YEARS AGO (ESTIMATE), THEY RESET THE SENSOR AND FIDDLED WITH THE CABLE UNDER THE SEAT. IN AUGUST OF 2011 THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND REMAINED ON. TOOK IT IT THE DEALER WHO SCANNED THE CODES WHICH READ "B1701" AND "B1706" AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH FROM THE SEAT BUCKLES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BUCKLE AT MY COST. MILEAGE 62,966 THERE SEEMS TO BE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF THIS OCCURRING AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. SEE ALSO: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/HYUNDAI/SONATA/10315909 HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2006/HYUNDAI/SONATA/SEAT_BELTS/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/HYUNDAI_AIRBAGS.HTML *TT

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG FAILED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ON 1/26/2012 AND HAPPENED ON A REPLACED SEAT, AS THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ON 10/10/2009 AND WAS REPORTED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT THEN . THE ODI ID NUMBER IS 10289803. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS NOT HELPED BY HYUNDAI, AS I REPLACED THE SEAT AT MY EXPENSE; NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL (AND NOT HAVING BEEN NOTIFIED BY HYUNDAI) I AM TAKING THIS VEHICLE TO RED HOAGLAND HYUNDAI DEALER IN WINTER HAVEN, FL. THIS COMING TUESDAY, 1/31/2012 TO SEE WHAT RECOURSE WILL HAPPEN AND WILL ADVISE NHTSA. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ON 01/31/12, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, AFTER 150 MILES. UPDATED IVOQ 02/23/12. *JB *TR

I PURCHASED A HYUNDAI SONATA IN 2006. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM FROM THE YEAR I GOT IT AND STILL IS. IT STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME. THE DEALER RESET IT A FEW TIMES AND THEN IN SEP 2008 THEY PUT IN A NEW SEAT BUCKLE. ONCE AGAIN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE DEALER WANTS $125 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC (CODE IS ACTIVE B1706) AND SAID A NEW BUCKLE IS NEEDED, WHICH IS ANOTHER $179 PLUS LABOR. SO EVERY YEAR I AM GOING TO HAVE TO DROP OVER $300 FOR THE LIGHT TO BE TURNED OFF SO IT PASSES INSPECTION. THIS IS A SCAM. THE CONCERN IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH THE DEALER SINCE THE DAY I GOT THE CAR. NOW THEY WON'T COVER IT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER ABOUT 2 DAYS FROM BEING RESET. SO EVERY YEAR WHEN THE INSPECTION IS DUE, I HAVE TO PUT OUT THE MONEY OUT FOR A NEW BUCKLE AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT, I HAVE NO LITTLE KIDS OR CAR SEAT IN USE, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THE AIRBAG GO OFF. NO IDEA HOW A SEAT BELT BUCKLES DIES ON ITS OWN AND ANNUALLY, TOO! THERE IS A RECALL OUT THERE BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LIGHT GOING ON WHEN KIDS THAT DO NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO TOGGLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF, SO THE LIGHT STAYS ON. THAT RECALLS # IS08V161000. MANY FOLKS ONLINE AND IN FORUMS ARE REPORTING THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS CONCERN AS IT KEEPS DUPLICATING OVER AND OVER AND OVER. RIGHT NOW, I AM PAYING FOR FIRESTONE TO DO REPLACE THE BUCKLE AND FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE THEY WARRANTY IT FOR 18 MONTHS AND THE DEALER WILL

MY CAR IS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AND LAST NIGHT MY CARS' HEADLIGHTS DIM OR SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY, THE FAN SPEED SEEMS TO DROP FOR A SECOND ALSO BUT NEVER SHUTS COMPLETELY OFF. I NOTICED LAST NIGHT MY TACHOMETER WOULD ONLY GO TO A 1 AT THE LOWEST. IT WOULD GO HIGHER AS I DROVE BUT NEVER BACK DOWN TOWARDS A 0 OR 1. YOU COULD FEEL THE HARSH VIBRATION AS I SAT AT A STOPLIGHT WHILE IT RESTED AT 1. I ALSO NOTICED THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANS IS SLIPPING OR SOMETHING AS I TAKE OFF OR TRY TO TURN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH THIS CAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! WHAT IF THE GAS PEDAL STICKS OR THE LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING??? I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND YOU BET I WOULD SUE OR MY FAMILY WOULD ON MY BEHALF IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO US AS A RESULT OF HYUNDAI NOT ISSUING SOME KIND OF RECALL. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP AS TO AVOID ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED BY A SIMPLE RECALL. *TT

THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON..THE DEALER SAYS IT'S THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH IS A $1,400 REPAIR. WHEN YOU SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG WARNING GOES ON AND OFF BUT THE LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 08V161000. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY TOLD ME ONLY CARS BUILT IN MAY AND JUNE OF 2006 WOULD BE HONORED FOR THE RECALL. MY CAR WAS BUILT IN JULY 2006 (ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICE). WHY WOULD THEY ONLY RECALL CARS BUILT IN MAY AND JUNE? OBVIOUSLY THEY DID NOT KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTED DURING THE PRODUCTION OF MY CAR? WHAT MAKES MY CAR SEAT PARTS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE PRODUCED IN MAY AND JUNE? I ASKED IF THEY HAD PART NUMBERS THAT WERE IN THE RECALL AND IF THEY CHANGED DESIGN IN JULY? THEY COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT ANSWER ME. MY BET IS THEY ISSUED THE RECALL TO SATISFY A FEW IF ANY AND TURN-DOWN ALL OTHERS TO SAVE MONEY SINCE THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE SEAT HAS TO BE REMOVED AND SENT OUT TO BE CALIBRATED (COST ESTIMATE $1,400). THE BOTTOM LINE IS MY AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON AND HYUNDAI HAS A LONG LONG HISTORY OF AIR BAG ISSUES. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THEM TO HONOR MY CAR IN THE RECALL? IF I WERE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION MY AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

I BOUGHT A USED CAR AT TARBOX AND THE CAR AT 60 WAS FEELING LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING THEN AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF BROUGHT IT BACK AND DEALER RESET IT AND SKIPPING STOPPED LIGHT STAYED OFF THEN THE SKIPPING CAME BACK I WAS CHECKING THE FUSE BOX AIRBAG FUSE WAS REMOVED SO I REPLACED WITH THE EXTRA FUSE RIGHT SIZE AND LIGHT STAYS ON BUT DEALER SAYS NOW OVER WARRANTY BUT I TOLD THEM I REPORTED BEFORE THIS AND FUSE WAS REMOVED IS THERE A RECALL THAT WAS OR WASN'T DONE ON THIS CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN 2006, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER AT THAT TIME, THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AND AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 02/24/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

I OWN A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA AND THE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN TWICE, WHICH AFFECTS MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. THE VISOR IS UNABLE TO STAY UP AND OUT OF VIEW WHEN NOT IN USE. I'VE READ HYUNDAI ONLINE FORUMS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH A LOT OF THIS MODEL AS WELL AS THE 2007 MODEL. I'VE HAD TO SLIDE OUT THE VISOR EXTENSION AND WEDGE IT BETWEEN BY REARVIEW MIRROR AND ROOF OF MY CAR, WHICH IS NOT A SAFE OPTION EITHER AS IT CAN BECOME UNWEDGED DURING DRIVING AND FALL DOWN AND BLOCK MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. IT HASN'T CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME WHICH TERRIFIES ME. PLEASE HELP. *TR

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TEN TIMES FOR THE DEFECT. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BUCKLES WERE REPLACED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION DUE TO THE SEAT BELTS NOT PROPERLY OPERATING BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,313. KMJ

ONE MORNING THAT I STARTED THE CAR, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OFF AFTER THE START-UP. IT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE THIS LIGHT CAME ON, AND I BROUGHT IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER. AFTER THEIR DIAGNOSTIC, THEY SAID IT'S A SENSOR IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAD SHORTEN OUT AND IT'S CAUSING AIRBAG SIGN TO COME ON. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS MEANS THAT IN CASE OF ACCIDENT THAT MY DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG WOULDN'T INFLATE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER READING SEVERAL WEBSITES ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR'S AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM, BUT HYUNDAI IS KEEP DENYING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. ANOTHER THING THAT IT'S SHOCKING TO ME IS THAT IN CASE A PERSON IS DRIVING WITHOUT A SEATBELT, AIRBAG WOULDN'T INFLATE, JUST AS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN SEATBELT BUCKLE CAN CAUSE MALFUNCTION IN DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME..WHY WOULD A CAR MAKER WOULD EVER DESIGN A SYSTEM LIKE THIS? TO PUNISH PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING WITHOUT A SEATBELT? WHEN I ASKED THIS QUESTION, THE HYUNDAI DEALER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT HE DOESN'T MAKE A CAR BUT THERE TO SELL IT! *TR

DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN VEHICLE ENGINE SPEED DROPS TO APPROXIMATELY 1000 - 1100 RPM, HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM OR BRIEFLY SHUT OFF, RADIO WILL SHUT OFF, AND INTERIOR FAN SPEED WILL DROP. THIS HAPPENS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AND IS INTERMITTENT. FROM SEARCHES OF THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE ASSEMBLY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN HANDLED VIA A RECALL, ESPECIALLY SINCE HEADLIGHTS DIMMING OFF OR SHUTTING OFF DURING NIGHT DRIVING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO THIS CAR. IN ADDITION, PROBABLY DUE TO THIS VOLTAGE DROP PROBLEM, SEVERAL HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS ETC., HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS ALREADY COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS IN TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR, PRIOR TO LEARNING ABOUT THE CABLE ASSEMBLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES TO HAVE THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM REPLACED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE MANUFACTURER CONTINUOUSLY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE REAR STABILIZERS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 176,000. UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BECAUSE THE FRAME WASN'T BROKEN. UPDATED 05/11/12 THE CONSUMER STTED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE SUBFRAME WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BY HYUNDAI. UPDATED 12/21/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE COULD HEAR A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 06/07/12*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE MAT SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,949.

THE "AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. IT WAS REPORTED BACK TO ME THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON (AND IT WAS NOT COVERED ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY). FROM RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2006. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH IT IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD GENERATE A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE TIMING CHAIN. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DURING ROUTINE SERVICE INSPECTION THE DEALER MECHANICS REPORTED THE REAR DISK BRAKES WERE WORN "ALMOST METAL TO METAL". I REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS MYSELF. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTSIDE PAD WAS WORN ALMOST TO THE METAL BUT THE OTHER THREE PADS WERE WORN NOT MUCH AT ALL. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS. THE BRAKES WORKED FINE BEFORE AND AFTER THE PADS WERE REPLACED. MY SON HAS THE EXACT SAME YEAR AND TYPE VEHICLE WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE THAT EXHIBITED THE VERY SAME PAD WORN IN A LIKE MANNER. *TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OUTAGE INCLUDING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DIMMING LIGHTS, RADIO TURNS OFF/ON, AC SHUTS OFF/ON, DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON AND EVENTUALLY TURN ON (ENGINE, ABS LIGHTS, ETC...). THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR, 4-5 TIMES IN A 10-15 MINUTE DRIVE. USUALLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS, WHEN DECELERATING/ACCELERATING, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR LAST 3 MONTHS. AIR BAG LIGHT ISSUES COUPLE YRS AGO AND TOOK TO DEALER FOR RECALL ISSUE, ATTRIBUTED TO A SENSOR ISSUE, WHICH SEEMED TO FIX IT UNTIL RECENTLY. HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 MONTHS AGO, WITHOUT IMPROVEMENT. 3 MECHANICS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY CAUSE. VERY FRUSTRATED! OTHERWISE CAR HAS DONE WELL. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED, AS I'VE NOTICED MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V161000 (AIR BAGS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

DURING BRAKING, BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AND RESULTED IN DIFFICULTY BRAKING. GRINDING NOISE NOTICED FOR SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR. UPON CHECKING ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE WITH SONATA'S ONLINE, I DETERMINED THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE WITH SONATA BRAKE ROTORS PREMATURELY WEARING AWAY. AGAIN, IN 9/2011, I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME REAR ROTORS, AND WILL HAVE TO GET THIS REPLACED. INITIAL COST WAS VERY HIGH, AS THE AUTO SHOP NOTED THAT THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE BEYOND REPAIR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT MODULE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.