Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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.
Takata recall - in September 2014 my battery were going dead. Changed battery and it went dead also. After the 4th time for the battery to go dead, noticed the sided beams were on. When I had the lights in the auto position, when going underneath a bridge, the lights will comes on and goes off accordingly to the light outside. When daylight, you will not know known if your lights are on or off. So this was problem was the cause for my battery to go dead. Started noticing at night when turning off vehicle after using headlights, the side beams will not cut off until after trying 15 to 20 minutes of trying to turning it off. Took vehicle to dealer, at first they thought it were the switch. After one hour of waiting, found out it was not the switch and they had put the old switch back. Stated that it was the junction box needed to be replace.
The air bag light came back on a couple of months ago, again, informed by dealer that they would have to research it the next time I came in. The park lights will not always shut off when in the auto setting, so far have been able to get them to shut off by repeatedly turning light switch on and off. The ABS/ESC light comes on randomly and will usually go off after turning car off and restarting. Now, the trunk will not close and the trunk light is on continually and the lights will not light when hitting the door lock button on the fob, so I do not know if the vehicle is secure and safe to enter at night. These situations all occur either when parking or in the case of the ABS/ESC while driving or when the car is running and stationary.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 50 MPH at night, the headlights did not illuminate. The contact stated that the check engine and air bag indicators illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the EVAP and o2 sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. On another day, the ABS indicator illuminated and caused the brake lights not to illuminate. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that both headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the headlight bulbs. The failure recurred numerous times and on each occurrence, the bulb was replaced. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign number 06V180000 (exterior lighting) however, the VIN was not included. In addition, both rear doors would only unlock manually and the brake light failed to operate when the brake pedal was engaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000. Ma 09/25
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at various speeds, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the headlamp assembly failed and needed to be replaced. While the independent mechanic was attempting to change the lights, the fuse blew out. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08e021000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
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
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.
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.
Passenger seat belt takes several times to remain secured and locked. Headlights are not positioned properly. At night the road is barely visible and could very easily lead to a crash if not providing proper attention and focus to road.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting
Hyundai is recalling 3,011 model year 2005-2007 elantra, tucson, sonata, azera and accent vehicles. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch May cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or May cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2009. Owners May contact Hyundai of puerto rico customer service at 1-787-999-4310.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Hyundai 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 vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles May malfunction.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2009. Owners May contact the Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
On certain passenger vehicles, the inner bezels of the headlamps were not properly assembled which May cause the turn signal lenses to be improperly positioned.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right headlamp assemblies free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2006. Owners May contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Headlight complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 4% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Sonata headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-280 (exterior lighting, Jul 21, 2009); NHTSA recall 09V-122 (switch, Apr 15, 2009); NHTSA recall 06V-180 (headlights, May 22, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Hyundai Sonata headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
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.