Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
While driving our 2006 I noticed after stopping at a store and got back in it was hard to start. It finally did start, this had never happened before. As I was driving I noticed the gas gauge had moved from 3/4 of a tank to 1/2. I thought maybe I just looked at it wrong. But by the next stop light I was down to 1/4 tank. By this time I was closed to home, so when got home and got of the car I noticed a trail of gas behind me. I looked under the car and gas was pouring down from the gas tank on top of exhaust. How it didn't catch on fire I have no idea. I found that the gad line from the fuel pump to the main gas line had rusted and under pressure it blew. Thank god we dint give this car to our granddaughter as we were in the process of doing.
Driver of 2006 Hyundai Sonata, making uphill turn into a flat parking space experiences engine power surge that propels vehicle over sign standard, flattening sign and requiring tow truck to extricate vehicle. Photos available. This is a known defect as research has shown syndicated reporter james r. Healey of usatoday noted same dangerous power surge in test vehicle in July of 2005. Owner of incident vehicle had same complaint and asked dealer to check defect on prior occasion. Dealer service reported no problems. In this incident vehicle was towed to dealer for safety and damage assessment, again dealer service reports no problem or recall.
I'm having a few issues with my car. Some of the issues I'm having are: my lighting/headlights, my fuel lines are completely rusted out and cause gas to leak from my vehicle, it sometimes will not start or turn all the way over, and the brakes on my car. I have looked up some recalls for my specific type of car and some of them match the issues of which I'm currently having. All of the issues I have are very dangerous and would be dangerous for other drivers around me.
Tl-the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the fuel tank, the brake and fuel lines were severely rusted. In addition, the fuel lines were leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank, the brake lines and fuel lines, and the cross members needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000. Djr
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact was driving approximately 10 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart and was towed home. An independent mechanic examined the vehicle and stated that the fuel pump was burned, causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Takata recall 1)when the engine was in motion on a city street in a speed of 25 MPH or lower whole body is shaking and vibrating like pulling up and down continuously. 2)in motion sometimes engine is doing some different kind of nice and it loses electronic stability control. 3) and my air bag light is always on. 4) overall my car is giving so less mileage than expected by you .
I purchased a new 2006 Hyundai Sonata in June 2006. Immediately after purchasing the car I noticed upon filling up the tank with gas I could hear a lot of noise coming from the rear of the car. It is a loud sloshing of the gas that can be heard inside the car. It splashes back and forth upon stopping and accelerating and is loud enough to be heard over the radio. It also creates such a noise that makes it seem like there is something wrong with the brakes on the left side. It sounds at times as if I am dragging something when stopping. I have contacted the dealer a couple of times inquiring about this and have gotten no help. On October 16, 2006 I brought the car in to Hyundai to have this problem inspected, and they told me that I had super sensitive hearing and that it is a and I quote "a characteristic of the vehicle" and there was nothing that they were going to do about it. …
This complaint applies to a 2007 Hyundai Sonata limited (no option for 2007 was available in drop down menu) (issue 1) at or around the initial few days after taking delivery I began to notice abrupt vibration and shaking coming from the steering wheel; substantial enough to feel in the seat. Vehicle was taken back to dealership on 3 separate occasions to remedy the problem but they reported that they were unable to duplicate the problem and reported the vehicle to be in manufacturer specification. Nonetheless, dealer attempted wheel balance and radial force balance as a "good will gesture." problem is now more articulated and the issue remains unresolved. (issue 2) engine emits a rattle noise similar to lifter clatter upon start and continues throughout operation; particularly in colder weather. …
This issue involves the combustion of a plastic fuel pump power supply connector inside the fuel tank of a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. A pin on the outer connector was also burnt. The pump actually still works - it only quit because the connectors burnt - including the connector inside the tank to the point that an electrical connection could not be made. If the fuel pump motor wore out after several thousand miles (usually well over 100K in most cars - not 68K) then I May understand an argument for the Hyundai service manager's contention that this is "normal wear". I believe that a connector burning inside a fuel tank is not "normal wear" and is also likely to be a safety hazard. …
Back when I purchased this 2006 Sonata I went back in airbag light was on the car was in less than ten minutes dealer said all set and I went in to a local garage for inspection but the car legally shouldn't pass inspection due to said airbag issue and the gentleman put it through but said airbags will not deploy due to the fuse was pulled put one in been on since and it is all over Hyundai forum same problem/2 my front suspension is rattling bad and come to find out same thing on Hyundai forum they always don't know what this noise is/3 my check engine light on code search says EVAP leak but need 2 say yes its not fuel cap this is a known Sonata problem fuel tank is plastic and there is a part in top that is metal rust out and causes fuel tank to crack this part alone is 1500 plus labor these cars are lemons will not buy another one this is all in 2 yrs of owning not counting there was …
Fuel System complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 2% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Sonata fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion 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.