10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
16 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
21 / 1
Average Mileage:
68,661 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2006 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 9 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #214

Jul 122013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 25,350 miles

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

Purchased Sonata 2006 in Sept 2012 at 16,400 miles. At approximately 25,000 miles, the air bag sensor light came on. The passenger occupancy sensor and seat belt indicator flashes on and off, . but not at the same time. Either one or the other flash. If I lock the passenger seat belt, the sensors seems to work, but it doesn't last long.have.been reading about safety recalls.how can I find out which vehicles are affected. Present 32,567.miles.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #213

Feb 212013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 89,625 miles
My airbag light first came on in January 2013. At first it would come on then go off for a couple of days. It did this for about 2 weeks then just stayed on until I fixed it in Feb. 2013. It was the sensor in the belt, and cost me $668.95 the first time. Then 6 mos. Later the airbag light came on again. This time it was a different problem and was charged $50. A couple of mos. Later, it comes on again, but I haven't fixed it yet. I had the problems fixed at gary rome Hyundai in holyoke, MA. I sent a letter to Hyundai regarding the issues that I keep having with the airbags. They sent a response, but not the one I wanted. I asked them why a recall hadn't been issued for the airbag problems I was having since obviously I wasn't causing the problems. I also printed out and enclosed many pages of consumer complaints about the same issues I was having. I'm glad that you're looking into this. Thank you.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #212

Mar 012011

Sonata 6-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle did not deploy airbags due to front end fender bender. Vehicle indicated "air bag" sign prior to incident. After the incident, vehicle was serviced; however, the "air bag" sign re-appeared after a few months. Another accident on 7/3/2013. Front end fender-bender. Air bag did not deploy again. No incident report in either case.

- Snoqualmie, WA, USA

problem #211

Jul 022007

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 3,500 miles

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

Passenger air bag light has come on 80% of the time we have owned this vehicle with my wife in the passenger seat. Her approximate weight is 140 lbs. When I sit there,165 lbs, the light does not come on. That tells me that my wife is not safe sitting in that seat. I took it to the dealer in 2007 and they could not fix it. I think this is a dangerous safety issue and needs to be recalled.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #210

Jul 242014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
Airbag light remains lit, suspected it had to do with passenger airbag recall. Dealer says not, that it is the passenger seat belt pretensioner and that in an accident the seat belt system would not work if not fixed and wants to charge $485 to do so. This is a safety issue and needs to be added to the recall because, based on the number of complaints I see, this is obviously a parts failure. Since the driver's side gets used far more often than the passenger, it is hasn't failed as a result of use.

- Cary, NC, USA

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problem #209

Jul 012014

Sonata

  • miles
I am another Hyundai 2006 owner with the passenger seat belt on who paid $105 for the diagnostic which returned code B1706 having to do with the pretensioner and seat belt. Not according to Hyundai applicable to the recall. I now have to pay another $350 to have this repair done. This should be a recall. Shame on Hyundai, I bought this car partly because of the air bag system and the desire for a safe vehicle. How can they split hairs and claim this is not a widespread problem?

- Solana Beach, CA, USA

problem #208

Apr 182007

Sonata 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 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 the front passengers OCS sensor did not detect an occupant when the seat was being utilized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger seat and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on three occasions but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 08V161000 (air bags).the failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 8/27/14 the consumer stated the vehicle had a crack in the dashboard. Updated 09/5/2014

- Palm Coast , FL, USA

problem #207

Apr 032012

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Airbag light remains on. Took to dealer under recall notice. Code B1706 for sensor problem not under recall. Not fixed, this is a safety issue that Hyundai should take responsibility for.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #206

Mar 072012

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
My airbag light came on and took car to local dealer. Code indicated driver side buckle resistance high and needed new driver side seat belt buckle. This was replaced at dealership. On 5/16/2014 when I took my car to have passenger seat removed from recall related to sensor, they also found the code for seat belt on passenger side and stated that I had to replace that at $400 for my airbag light to go off. This repair was done and paid for. Yesterday on 5/29/14 the airbag light came back on and stayed on. Took it back to dealership and now they say that the code indicated the driver side seat belt buckle needs to be replaced again. There are many complaints listed on this site and I believe there is a real issue with the 2006 Sonatas and the airbag sensors. Customers should not have to keep paying for repairs no matter what the mileage.

- Whitehall, MD, USA

problem #205

Apr 162014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 81,520 miles
Air lights up intermittently on instrument panel.. at start-up, light comes on then off, few minutes later comes back on. At times while driving light goes off.. then minutes later on. Similar problem I believe with elantra air bag sensor under drivers seat. Told by dealer may cost up to or more than $1000 to repair. If wiring needs replacement.. I researched Hyundai forums that many others have similar problems.. a false sense of security is there because you don't know if air bags system is operating or not... there should be a recall to repair this safety issue.. most problems come after 60,000 miles.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #204

Mar 202013

Sonata

  • 130,000 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 approximately 45 mph, the contact crashed into the driver's side of a another vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The contact and the front passenger sustained head and back injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #203

Apr 242014

Sonata

  • 84,000 miles
Second time air bag light.. first time right side at 72000 mi.. nor 840000 right side repair $300 plus not cover by any safety recall. Light stays on air bags disables..

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #202

Jan 062011

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that the rear door locks and front passenger window failed to function. The contact then stated that the rear driver's side door failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the passenger's side occupancy sensor mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000. Updated 06/10/14

- Hallandale, FL, USA

problem #201

Mar 172014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
"air bag" SRS warning light on continuously. Per owners manual, this indicates this system "is not working properly" and "should be inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealer". concerned that the air bag/SRS system is unsafe and could cause injury or not properly protect occupants from injury or death in case of accident, brought car to local Hyundai dealer. Instructed that they would have to inspect the problem and charge us $105. Dealer performed inspection and diagnosis was faulty "belt assy restence high in buckle assy front pass side" for additional charge of $470. Repair was not performed. We called Hyundai Corp customer service and spoke with manager, but Hyundai stated that since no recall noted and past warranty period, they would not fix defect at no charge. Why should we pay for a defective air bag/SRS part/system that should not fail under normal life and use of a car? this is a fundamental internal safety system and should not stop working properly. This is a manufacturer defect for design, components and/or workmanship and should be recalled. Hyundai is not taking responsibility for it's faulty product to save themselves money at the expense of consumers and placing my family's safety at risk. We now paid $105 to confirm the car is unsafe to drive and are forced to spend an additional $470 to "correct" a defective SRS system, which may or may not "fix" problem, in order to confidently continue using car. Ridiculous.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #200

Apr 112012

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
My car has the same problem as this complaint number.10575493 I have been told by the dealer that I need to have the seat replaced which is a $1000+ repair. This should be a significant safety issue.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #199

Oct 012013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 103,000 miles
2006 Sonata gls very well maintained (for life of vehicle) by top notch local dealer + no accident history - reports driver side seat belt buckle err code, airbag light on/airbag system not activated. Dealer attempted OC3 test-passenger seat voluntary recall issue - could not complete test-buckle error...replaced buckle assy: Same code + light. Dash opened, console removed, driver seat removed: Airbag system harness inspection, reseat connections - new code appears: Drivers belt retractor assy. Replaced belt retractor assy. No code! and airbag system still not working/airbag light indicator on...dealer advised this expensive problem is well-known to 06, 07 Sonata owners: Sole viable solution=replace air bag system wiring harness. Ordered part # on harness - wrong harness delivered (connectors in wrong location on harness/don't meet up with car connectors. Ordered again, same result (dealership noted - these harnesses arrive with bag torn open (not first mechanic to order it for same problem and outcome).. local Hyundai territory engineer (troubleshooter for large problems) asked to visit for discussions - right part # / wrong part. Solution = I've dealt with this 3X recently and in this area - order this part #. guess what, new part is $750 / double old part cost. New harness reaches into back seat area as well and causes double the labor costs >$1,000...$1K already invested in parts and labor plus facing another $2K in harness parts & labor. Dealer can't provide any guarantee this will solve it short term let alone long term - contacted Hyundai usa for financial assistance - denied due to out of warranty + 2nd owner/not original (how convenient for them)..as mentioned, 3X '06 Sonata owners in this territory recently experienced identical issues and after getting tough with Hyundai usa, received buy-backs of their cars. Try to guess my next move...updated 08/14/14

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #198

Jul 142010

Sonata

  • 30,000 miles
Air bag light comes on every other year. I am having this issued for three time air bag light comes on every time and then they put new seat belt buckle it goes away first time it happened in 2010 it was under warranty, second time it happened in 2012, and third time it happened in 2014.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

problem #197

Mar 132014

Sonata

  • 65,000 miles
Air bag light illuminated and will not go off. For a few weeks, anytime the drivers seat was adjusted, it would trigger the air bag light on the dash but once the seat was moved, it would go off. Now to the point, it will not shut off the air bag light. Similar thing happened last summer, took to dealer and had to pay to have system cleared as Hyundai is the only one with the proper tool to "scrub the air bag memory". my concern, is will the air bags go off in the event of an accident" why should I have to go back to the dealer to pay to have error cleared if no misuse on my end? it appears by reading this site that many Hyundai owners have experienced similar issues so perhaps this is a recall"

- Northlake, IL, USA

problem #196

Feb 222011

Sonata

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the passenger's side air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 08V161000 (air bags) however, after the remedy repair was performed the failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #195

Jan 152014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 52,245 miles
My spouse reported to me that the airbag for drivers side came on and stayed on. Two days ago, I took the car to work (readjusting the seat) and the light was not on. I had read about this issue in online forums for my make and year and this problem and there was mention that if you move the seat forward and back that you can get the light to turn off. Well, I tried that and unfortunately for me the light came on and has stayed on. We previously had the vehicle for the passenger side airbag recall and had that taken care of. I took the car to our dealer to find out if they had similar occurrences and was surprised by my service adviser's attitude. He appeared guarded and was very unlike him. I usually get all my service done there. It seems to me that I was not the first one with this problem. He told me that first I'd have to get a diagnosis ($79+ tax), then any repairs ( anywhere from $300 to 1500.) would be my responsibility as the vehicle is out of warranty. I also asked if the airbag light is on, does the airbag not work and was told yes. I just went to NHTSA today and looked in the complaint section for this vehicle and found numerous people with the same issue. Requiring airbags in vehicles is a federal law requirement, so why then if these systems fail without any owners negligence, are the manufacturers not required to see that they get repaired" what triggers a recall? after talking with one of your representatives, a short time ago, I asked that question and she said that NHTSA can't force a manufacturer for just anything. I said, "someone whose airbag doesn't deploy in a crash and dies might trigger a recall"" the representative replied, "those are you words, mot mine".

- Sheboygan, WI, USA

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