2006 Hyundai Sonata Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,047 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 4% of the 1,047 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The airbag light on the dashboard stays on and the passenger continuously blinks. I happened to click/engage the seat belt (with no one in the seat) and the passenger light goes off but the airbag light on dashboard stays on. I do not know the exact date this started happening because my daughter drives it and she's going to colorado college in colorado springs. But today's date is 6/5/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10993176, filed 2017-06, 81,000 miles“The parking lights will automatically come on by itself when the car is off and there's no key in the ignition. I have returned to my car from work and the lights would be on draining the battery. In addition, while driving the parking lights will come on and go off as well as in the dash when the switch is in the off position. I have video but it's not downloading.”
NHTSA complaint #10817022, filed 2015-12, 130,000 miles“When the car is parked and the key is out of the ignition the park lights stay on in the front and back, as well as the dashboard lights stay lit up. I have to unhook the battery to get them to turn off. As soon as I hook the battery back up the lights come back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11110666, filed 2018-07, 155,000 miles“I bought a 2006 Hyundai Sonata at the beginning of the model year in august 2005. Since that time, I have replaced the low beam headlamps at least 4 times. On two of those four occasions, the headlamps burned out after only a few months of use. This seems to be a systemic problem and Hyundai refuses to acknowledge it.”
NHTSA complaint #10375333, filed 2011-01, 24,000 miles“09v122000-I have taken my car to the dealership and they have refused to fix the car as they have not started their campaign yet. My car has no brake lights and the ABS/ESC light is on in the dash along with the check engine light. I cannot shift out of gear without depressing the shift release button.”
NHTSA complaint #10267340, filed 2009-04, 60,000 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 Sonata 2005–2007, Elantra 2005–2007, Tucson 2005–2007 +2 more
- 09V122000Apr 15, 2009Hyundai is recalling 532,633 my 2006-2007 accent, entourage, sonata, my 2007 azera, elantra and santa fe, my 2005-2007 tucson and my 2007-2008 veracruz…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 2006–2007, Tucson 2005–2007, Accent 2006–2007 +5 more
- 06V180000May 22, 2006On certain passenger vehicles, the inner bezels of the headlamps were not properly assembled which may cause the turn signal lenses to be improperly positioned.Covers: Hyundai Sonata 2006
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…
- 10020130May 1, 2006Stop lamp switch adjustment.
- 10019944Apr 1, 2006Stop lamp switch adjustment.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 18 | 11% |
| 2018 | 22 | 6% |
| 2017 | 20 | 3% |
| 2016 | 38 | 5% |
| 2015 | 38 | 3% |
| 2014 | 120 | 16% |
| 2013 | 197 | 10% |
| 2012 | 141 | 9% |
| 2011 | 249 | 7% |
| 2010 | 10 | 3% |
| 2009 | 14 | 3% |
| 2008 | 20 | 5% |
| 2007 | 35 | 5% |
| 2006 | 45 | 4% |
| 2005 | 17 | 10% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
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 complaintsEngine
44 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 Nov 1, 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