2006 Hyundai Elantra Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 25%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Hyundai Elantra, 25% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brake lights stopped working. Despite receiving recall letters for our 2006 accent and 2009 sonata, the dealer claims that our 2006 Elantra with it's particular VIN is not part of the recall. Yet it's the only car we owned that had the brake lights fail. We contacted Hyundai USA and they were no help.”
NHTSA complaint #10561518, filed 2014-01, 60,000 miles“Nhtsa campaign id number: 09v280000 , I own a 2006 Hyundai Elantra and the brake switch that controls the brake lights went out and my car was not one of the ones on the recall. I just wanted to know if a lot of other Elantra owns that were not on the list for the recall had this happening and if they may need to expand the recall list.”
NHTSA complaint #10405324, filed 2011-06, 92,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11129314, filed 2018-09, 103,000 miles“I have a 2006 Hyundai Elantra. I have just replaced my headlights for the third time in 6 months. When I took the car to the dealer after the last time, they claimed they had checked all wiring and lamps and stated all was okay. Somehow I doubt it was the bulbs. One went out a couple of days ago and the other blew today. Thankfully, I was by my home when it was getting dark. I am going to have them check it again this week.”
NHTSA complaint #10220191, filed 2008-03, 55,000 miles“My brake lights would not come on. I took it to my independent mechanic. He said when he looked up my VIN, it showed a recall on the exterior lighting for my car. I called the dealer from there and they said they didn't show a recall. Today I contacted the dealer's service manager and after looking into it and calling Hyundai, he agreed and said that this recall was only for Hyundai's in puerto rico and that they couldn't do anything. So, why when I pull up my VIN anywhere, it shows this recall if it doesn't apply to my car?”
NHTSA complaint #10463447, filed 2012-06, 41,888 milesRelated recalls
- 09V280000Jul 21, 2009Hyundai is recalling 3,011 model year 2005-2007 elantra, tucson, sonata, azera and accent vehicles. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2005–2007, Tucson 2005–2007, Sonata 2005–2007 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
- 10031008Jun 1, 2009Hyundai service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Stop lamp switch replacement (campaign 092). This bulletin describes the procedure to remove, replace, and…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 28 | 11% |
| 2019 | 65 | 26% |
| 2018 | 16 | 6% |
| 2017 | 23 | 3% |
| 2016 | 9 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 72 | 5% |
| 2012 | 17 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 24 | 8% |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% |
| 2006 | 38 | 25% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 13 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2006 Hyundai Elantra
56 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology