10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,482 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Hyundai Sonata engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Jul 192014

Sonata

  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car was expertly maintained, followed the severe duty maintenance schedule. Never had a problem until 125,000 miles. Metallic debris in the crankcase caused the oil pump not to spray oil onto the connecting rod bearing causing a complete engine failure. This is the same thing that was recently recalled on the newer 2011-up theta II. The theta I and theta II are the exact same short blocks except for the theta II's direct injection system. My mechanic who did the repair was very surprised since he always inspected my car annually and knew I used to be a mechanic and maintained all my cars like clockwork. The repair cost was $4,113.53, see attached invoice. The existing recall should be for all theta engine since 2006-up not just for the 2011-up.

- North Babylon, NY, USA

problem #19

Aug 012015

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 50 mph at night, the headlights did not illuminate. The contact stated that the check engine and air bag indicators illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the evap and O2 sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. On another day, the ABS indicator illuminated and caused the brake lights not to illuminate. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

problem #18

Sep 022015

Sonata

  • 96,500 miles
At approx. 79K miles, when vehicle was turned on you could hear a mild knocking noise, and then it would fade. Took to dealer they could not identify the problem. At approx. 96K miles vehicle was driving on highway and vehicle shut off. Could not restart. Towed the vehicle after wards vehicle started up and knocking noise got louder. The noise is now on all the time and has a cyclic knocking noise from the engine. Advised manufacturer of other problems with vehicle in July of 2015. The engine stall happed in mid Aug of 2015. Had vehicle diagnosed on Aug 27, 2015. I have uploaded that diagnosis. Dealer advised possible metal debris, but said I would have to pay addistional fees to determine the cause. The diagnosis states the same problems as the NHTSA campaign number: 15V-568 and Hyundai campaign # 132. Loud tapping noise when running coming from bottom end rod. Need engine replaced. This was documented before the news broke out about the engine recall.

- Duquesne, PA, USA

problem #17

Sep 012015

Sonata 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise and the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that metal was in the oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000. Updated 11/18/15

- San Francisco , CA, USA

problem #16

May 052011

Sonata

  • 58,344 miles
Ecs warning light along with check engine and ABS warning lights came on when turning key in ignition. This has happened twice since, with ESC and ABS warning lights coming on while driving.

- Middleton, WI, USA

problem #15

Nov 142011

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Valve cover gasket and timing cover leaking oil on the alternator. Was fixed by a Hyundai dealership in August 2013 for ~$1,800 (including an new alternator). Now experiencing the same oil leak onto the new alternator just over a year and a half later and less than 20,000 miles later. [xxx] 2006 Hyundai Sonata gls 3.3L V6. Why has there not been a recall for this and why are dealerships only trained to fix the resulting symptoms and not the underlying problem that caused the leak to start? information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Miamisburg, OH, USA

problem #14

Mar 072014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is an existing recall for the Hyundai veracruz (which also uses the Hyundai lambada engine). There is an issue with the valve cover leaking oil onto the alternator, causing the alternator to fail. This happened to my car a year ago (approx), and I paid to have the repair done. The leaking issue is starting to surface again, which caused me to look online for how widespread this issue was. That was when I discovered the veracruz recall.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #13

Jan 312014

Sonata

  • 123,354 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 25 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,354.

- Matthews, NC, USA

problem #12

Sep 302014

Sonata

  • 108,596 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 20 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated. In addition, while accelerating, the speedometer displayed various gears being shifted and there was a loud abnormal noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,596.

- Dunedin, FL, USA

problem #11

Aug 192014

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, attempting to make a turn when the vehicle made a loud revving noise. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and turned it off. The contact restarted the vehicle but it would not accelerate past the first gear. The contact turned the instrument panel light off and the vehicle was able to pick up more speed, but the contact was only able to drive automatically, not manually. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #10

Jul 302014

Sonata

  • 84,903 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The system warning lamps illuminated, then the engine shut off and would not restart. Evaluation showed that the alternator had failed and was covered with engine oil which had leaked from the front valve cover gasket onto the alternator. This failure is the same as NHTSA campaign number 14V415000, which covers another Hyundai vehicle.

- Potomac, MD, USA

problem #9

Apr 022014

Sonata

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 35 mph, the electronic stability control and check engine warning indicators illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle's speed suddenly decelerated. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Kinnebuck Port, ME, USA

problem #8

Jun 192013

Sonata

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the harmonic balancer detached while driving on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 95,597.

- Goshen, OH, USA

problem #7

May 112014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 61,116 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The failure occurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the ignition switch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,116. Updated 8/12/14 updated 08/22/2014

- Sandy Springs, GA, USA

problem #6

May 062013

Sonata

  • 85,000 miles
Under normal driving, vehicle suddenly sputtered a bit and then the check engine light and electronic stability control light came on. The car then would barely move over 15-20 mph. We found out that these are the classic symptoms of a tps issue, for which Hyundai issued tsb 10-fl-010. We have had the vehicle at the dealership for all of the recommended repairs from that tsb twice with no resolution to the problem. My concern is that this problem occurs randomly and without warning. At least twice it has occurred on the interstate, and I felt we were lucky to get off to the side without another car running into us. I am extremely worried that the next time this happens we won't be as fortunate, and someone can be seriously hurt. This is also a very common issue with Hyundai. Frankly, I would not be surprised if someone has already been hurt because of this. I am also surprised Hyundai has not issued a recall or found a better solution to this problem. I believe this is a very serious problem and urgent safety issue. In fact, we would like to get rid of the car, but we cannot afford to buy another car, nor am I too keen on inflicting this problem on some other unsuspecting person thinking they are buying a good, reliable car. Please try to pressure Hyundai to come up with a better solution.

- Indian Land, SC, USA

problem #5

Mar 262014

Sonata

  • 80,700 miles
My 2006 Hyundai Sonata has the check engine and ESC lights come on, then the car wont accelerate as well as the rpms will not move. The car coasts like its in neutral. And today was the last straw when it decided to do it while going down the road instead of just when beginning the drive.

- Paxtang, PA, USA

problem #4

Mar 242014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Oil pan rusting out. A lot of engine motor oil seeping out of entire oil pan. Professional mechanic states this is not normal wear and tear at this low mileage. Eventually oil will leak out causing engine to seize and fail.

- Litchfield, ME, USA

problem #3

Dec 022013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 137,600 miles
I only put 2 items but I have other campaigns in with same care but im driving the car and I loose power in car to everything like it was shut off at key then goes back on does it like 2 or 3 times a week I almost hit another car due to no power to brakes then car just goes right back on without touching anything other problems never heard back is the issue with a known problem with the gas tank leak due to the metal on top rusting and cracks plastic tank cause service engine light to stay on then the front suspension clunking since I bought it 2 yrs ago but dealership cant find nothing its the upper control arm my airbag light in driver cluster was on when I bought it dealer said they fixed it same day I bought it went for state inspect wouldn't pass the fuse was pulled so light stays off this car is a lemon they should repair or buy it back I put more in car in 2 years than what I paid for it so far and still needs more work.

- Coventry, RI, USA

problem #2

Nov 132013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
This vehicle was taken to the authorized service center of Hyundai on October 29,2013 for the safety recalls received from Hyundai motor America (NHTSA campaign number 13V-354 and failure of OCS recall by NHTSA).since the service personnel insisted to do 70,000 mile service I agreed and after 1 hour he called me and said there is a leak in the radiator hose. This car has always been serviced by authorized Hyundai service centers and always had persistent problems like oil leaks (changed gaskets (paid$400), power steering leaks (paid $300), brake rotors problems which I had to pay $1300 to replace at 30,000 miles etc etc.this car comes with 10 year/100,000 bumper to bumper warranty that is fake.I had also paid ($1200) for an extended coverage for this vehicle when I bought this brand new. But Hyundai did not honor it since it was a dealer package and that dealer no more exist. On October 29,2013 after the recall service I paid $400 since the service manager said he did all that is urgent for this car. Next day morning I found my car in a pool of multiple fluids.I decided to take it back to the Hyundai dealer, but on the way the car was engulfed in smoke. I pulled over to the gas station which had a work shop, found that no coolant in the car. They filled the coolant and put a new clamp on the hose which was loose. I made a complaint to the Hyundai motor America after 2 days. Case number is 6156086. Since then I escalated the case calling them several times, but no reasonable effort from there side to help me. On November 13, the car again burned and got engulfed in huge smoke when my wife was parking in the drive way after returning from work. (I have the video on my cell phone). Again I called Hyundai America and they told me to contact the dealer. I called the dealer (Hyundai of paramus) and they said the service manager will call back. But never did.

- Bergenfield, NJ, USA

problem #1

Feb 192013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he heard a loud squeaky noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the harmonic balancer was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 62,593.

- Long Island, NY, USA

Not what you are looking for?