2006 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,047 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 4% of the 1,047 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In jan. 2015 it was on a 100 mile highway trip. Upon arrival he noticed the engine developed a knocking noise. I found many 2.4l Hyundai's with the same problem on the internet. The engine was made in indiana. It sounds the same as nhsta campaign #15v-568. It needs a new engine. I can't upload it, but I have video of the knocking. I believe the recall needs to be expanded to earlier years”
NHTSA complaint #10785730, filed 2015-10, 105,000 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10552853, filed 2013-11, 70,000 miles“The check engine light starting going on and off. Our 19-year-old daughter was driving on the freeway at night when the light came on and it started making a loud noise. She stopped on the side of the freeway, turned it off and never could restart it. The engine died. It blew a rod. The car had regular maintenance. We hadn't had any work done recently that could have LED to engine problems. The mechanic said it had oil and he couldn't explain what happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11080978, filed 2018-03, 136,861 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10702445, filed 2015-03, 100,000 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10577279, filed 2014-04, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
- 10052144Apr 1, 2013Hyundai: the throttle control (etc) body, on some vehiicles, needs to be cleaned and procedural information is being provided, due to deposits found at valve-to-bore interface…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% |
| 2023 | 28 | 32% |
| 2022 | 25 | 26% |
| 2021 | 34 | 25% |
| 2020 | 32 | 18% |
| 2019 | 87 | 54% |
| 2018 | 212 | 57% |
| 2017 | 385 | 50% |
| 2016 | 452 | 62% |
| 2015 | 629 | 55% |
| 2014 | 303 | 40% |
| 2013 | 739 | 39% |
| 2012 | 567 | 36% |
| 2011 | 968 | 29% |
| 2010 | 29 | 8% |
| 2009 | 56 | 12% |
| 2008 | 48 | 11% |
| 2007 | 41 | 6% |
| 2006 | 44 | 4% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata
435 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
186 complaintsSeat belts
102 complaintsElectrical system
86 complaintsSuspension
86 complaintsBrakes
85 complaintsElectronic stability control
59 complaintsExterior lighting
45 complaintsBody and structure
44 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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