Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My parking and tail lights do not turn off when I turn off the car when it's dark. I have to turn the headlight switch on and off several times to see if they will turn off. If they do not I have to disconnect the battery so it doesn't discharge. I was told this is a fuse panel issue. If this is a fuse panel issue then I'm concerned what else will go wrong with the fuse panel. If the lights stop working altogether then that will be a problem. I have not taken this vehicle to a dealer due to financial responsibilities. This all started without warning. At about the same time, my ESC turned off and will not come back on. Curious if this is connected.
May 2019: Battery light came on and off for a few minutes. Car sputtered and engine quit. Replaced alternator and battery; problem went away. Feb 2022: Battery light came on and off for a few minutes. Car sputtered and engine quit. Replaced alternator and battery. This time the mechanic noticed that oil was leaking from the front valve cover gasket and was getting into the alternator; thus the most likely source of damage to alternator.
Around 5:30 pm during the day I parked the vehicle by the curb on the street with no lights on and nothing left plugged in. When I turned the car off the windows were rolled all the way up and the sunroof was closed. I locked the doors then went inside the apartment and about 30 min later the neighbors informed me of a fire inside my vehicle. I reacted quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher, ran to the vehicle unlocked the driver door manually with the key and was able to put the fire out before it spread. The center counsel and center dash area with controls for the ac, and radio were all burned and melted down. After the fire department finally arrived and took their report and left I researched what May have been the cause of this incident. I learned this is a very common problem amongst these particular types of vehicles and in 2016 the first recall was announced. …
This Sonata had electric problems from the very beginning (climate control, light bulbs, brake lights, side mirror control, window control, cabin lights, etc.). Most of the light bulbs have been replaced many times either by the dealer when it was still covered by warranty or by myself. The most recent round of replacement was on July 3 for the passenger side headlight, driver's side turn light (yellow) and rear left back off light. I finally started to question if the fuses were misplaced. After checking carefully the fuse types and labeled specifications of both the engine and cabin fuse panels, I found three fuses in the cabin panel were not the same as the owner's manual described. They are (wrong fuses in the parentheses): fs19 20a (25a), fs6 10a (15a), and fs5 25a (20a). I rearranged all three fuses according to the specification on the owner's manual (p. 6-41). …
Burning smell likely electrical appears to be coming from under the dash board. Car checked by mechanic all around exterior- not from any components there. Burning smell identified by mechanic as electrical likely plastic insulation that is burning. Only electrical work done was by hyudai recall to correct air bag warning light that airbags were not operational specifically the defect was to have necessitated removing the passenger seat and fixing/replacing a sensor. Since that was corrected the inside light does not go on when the car door opens. The burning smell comes on after the car has warmed up -been running ten-15 minutes. So far no other effects. I had hoped the burning smell would go away. Today is three weeks and burning smell has not diminished forcing me to open windows to vent while driving. Now I must make a appointment to have the dashboard removed to locate defect.
Driving on my way to an early lab appointment 645 am. When I got about 2 miles from destination doing 40 MPH, when the check engine light came on. Followed by the ESC light, battery light, airbag light, seatbelt light blinking, and lights on dash dimming., when I stopped at the traffic light, the speed odometer still read 40. When light turned green, I went to step on gas, and car would hardly move, I was able to get off road safely. I turned car off, dead. I walked from where I left car, to appointment almost 2 miles each way .I am a heart patient[ have an artificial valve and a defibrillator\ and this episode upset me. I read today,that this happens to Hyundai sonatas. When I got back to the vehicle, I arranged it to be towed to a mechanic. Is there a recall on this, if so we have never received one, this vehicle has been owned by us since 2009.
While driving, the damper pulley seperates and the power steering fails along with the water pump and the alternator. This damper as it is called is a device that drives all the belt powered devices on the engine. I asked the dealer if there was a recall on this and the reply was no. How can a power steering failure not be a recall? When you are turning and the power steering fails I would say the majority of drivers would not be able to steer the vehicle out of this situation. Look online and view all the places that list this problem. This is a big safety issue the vehicle steers very hard and is difficult to control.
Under regular driving conditions the brake pedal would become so hard that they could not be pressed down, the speed would decline to 5 miles per hour and the car would start smoking. The ABS and ESC light would come and wouldn't go off until car is turned off. This s due to a faulty ABS hecu unit (hydraulic and electronic control unit) and the right front upper control arm. I contacted Hyundai who wouldn't pay the dealer to fix my 2006 Hyundai Sonata gls v6 with 65,263 miles. They advised that the isn't under warranty, however, the ABS hecu unit is faulty. This is a safety concern for myself and fellow drivers.
I had 2006 Sonata ESC light popped up and suddenly my accelerator pedal stopped working my car was idealized to the speed of 20mph I was on the interstate I was just saved to meet an accident. Fuse box started heating and it burnet I shutoff engine and then stayed their for a while and then I went back home. I thought only my car has this problem but there are many more cars with the same problems I am not using my car since I changed tps assembly breaklight switch fuse but still, problem resist this May cause a big accident. Please look after this safety problem.
My car battery light went on. I replaced the battery 2x, replaced the alternator, checked the ground and all connections. My battery light flashes, then goes off then my seatbelt light blinks and goes off and my windshield wipers are not getting the power to wipe and the rear defroster turns off every time the battery light flashes. Ive been to 3 mechanics and they all say bring it to Hyundai. When I brought it they said there was no recall so I left the service room and am now on the NHTSA site.all of this is while both stationary and in motion
Electrical complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 8% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Hyundai Sonata electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.