Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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).
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 55 MPH, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle left the roadway, entered the woods, and spun around several times. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the crash. The contact sustained neck, lower back, and head injuries that required medical attention. The contact was unaware of injuries in the other vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not inspected to determine why the air bags failed to deploy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
I own a 2006 Hyundai Sonata.while merging into the traffic. It was recently involved in a front end collision. The crash was so bad that it affected the radiator and even broke the coolant reservoir. The main frame of the car is also damaged. Even after this level of serious crash, the airbags still didn't inflate. No airbag was deployed. I suffered some injuries. This brings me to question the safety of this car. My model was premium sports package with 3.3 v6 engine.
I was involved in a accident on December 15, 2015 the other driver cut across three lanes and into my car at MPH 40. My vehicle was struck thrusting it into a small wall and pole. My seat belt unbuckled and the airbags did not deploy I think this is a manufacture defect.
Since purchasing my car new in 2006, I have had to have the passenger side seat belt buckle replaced twice. First on oct 6, 2010, then on oct 25, 2013. Both times it was related to the air bag light illuminating on the dashboard and staying on consistently. In 2010, I was told it was a faulty seat belt part. Hyundai replaced it under warranty. In 2013, I was again told it was an issue with the same seat belt part, and this time I was charged $164.31 for the replacement. This week, the air bag light came on again. I can only assume it's, once again, a faulty seat belt buckle. I called the dealership who did the previous repair (davis Hyundai in nj) and they said it was only covered under warranty for 12 months.. So I would have to pay for the replacement again. I googled the issue and it seems to be under investigation by your group. It's clearly a safety issue.. …
In May 2015, I received a letter from Hyundai motors America concerning a defect in my 2006 Sonata's seat belt buckle assemblies (campaign txx2) causing the airbag light to illuminate. I took my vehicle to waco Hyundai located at 1501 w. Loop 340, waco, tx 76712 on 5/14/15 for the campaign notice and other maintenance/repairs. Waco Hyundai failed to honor the campaign letter refusing to repair my Sonata based on the fact my Sonata had been previously wrecked. I purchased my Sonata a few years prior when it had about 10,000 miles on it knowing it had been wrecked at some point prior. It had 76,002 at the time I dropped it off for service. Waco Hyundai advised if I had a complaint to call Hyundai motors America which created case #7944327. It took Hyundai motors America over a month, but they too would not honor the campaign letter because my vehicle had been previously wrecked. …
I wish to make a complaint on the safety operation of this car. Since it was bought new from sansone auto mall the air bag light has come on 4 times and now a 5th time in May of 2015. The air bag light on the instrument cluster always points to the seat belt buckle on the drivers seat. Every time we take it to Hyundai they have no concern of the issue even though we complain. They say there is nothing they can do except replace the seat belt buckle assembly. They will not warranty anything. Also talked with Hyundai and they have no concern either on this safety issue. We fear the safety of not just the drive but the passengers should an accident occur and they air bags don't deploy or the seat belts work correctly. The front passenger seat cushion also became defective which had to be repaired as well. …
My 2006 Hyundai Sonata's air bag light stays on. I took it to dealership. They said the problem is due to faulty passenger seat belt tensioner. This matches the description stated in NHTSA action number: pe14023. This investigation was closed because Hyundai will extend the warranty to 15 years or 250K miles. My Hyundai dealership does not honor this warranty because they did not get notice from corporate. I called Hyundai customer connect center [phone] with this issue and provided the NHTSA case number. I talked to a agent and his supervisor and his supervisor. Neither acknowledge the existence of this NHTSA action number: pe14023. They said I had to repair this on my own cost. I am surprised to hear that Hyundai just ignores the authority of NHTSA especially on the airbag issue. I have recorded the phone conversation with both supervisors for reference.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt buckle pretensioners needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000. Updated 6/11/15 updated 6/18/15 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired on 4/17/2015 at mileage 74,985. Updated 7/16/2015 updated 10/05/217
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While operating the vehicle, the air bag light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a faulty seat belt buckle. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Seat Belt complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 102 complaints about the seat belts of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 10% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is front › buckle assembly (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Sonata seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts 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 seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to seat belts 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.