Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
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).
On March 9th, 2015, I was driving home from work after picking up my infant daughter from daycare when several warning lights illuminated on the dashboard of my 2006 Hyundai Sonata; the airbag, ABS, and ESC off warning lights. In preparation for the upcoming left turn into my neighborhood, I tapped the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and coast to the intersection. The cruise control did not disengage. I applied more pressure to the brake pedal to slow down, but upon releasing the brake the vehicle returned to the set cruise speed. I now applied as much pressure as I possibly could to the brake pedal and the cruise control set light did not disengage. The Sonata downshifted and revved up to 4K RPM attempting to overpower my braking. At this point it was too late to avoid the intersection. …
The car either accelerating or braking jerks as if it starts and stops on it's own. I am afraid of driving it. I've had it to the dealer a couple of times and my first complaint was that it jerked into gear. It didn't matter if reverse or forward. The check engine light will come on. The dealer replaced a shift sensor but that didn't fix the check engine light nor the stop and start at random times. When this happens the car slows way down and I barely can get it to go forwards. The last time it happened was at night. I pulled onto a street from a stop sign into traffic. I barely went half a block and had to pull into a driveway to get out of the traffic behind me. The ESC light came on briefly on the dash. I looked at the off switch and it was illuminated. I pushed it off I think. …
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.
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.
ESC/ABS lights came on while driving and was hard to control the car acceleration was hard and braking seemed to go down low enough to scare you. I made it home the lights went off but back on another doing the same thing happened where acceleration seemed to be dragging anf brakes felt low this is dangerous and now I do not drive it since these lights come on often. I had the car checked and DTC codes show multiple code for ABS, ESC, airbags all of which have been fixed but that did not help the ESC/ABS light still come and make braking/acceleration hard at times.
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.
When I turned my car on I noticed check engine light was on and also the ESC button was illuminated also. I tried to get out of my parking spot and my car wouldn't drive more then 5 miles and hour. Can you tell me what is wrong with my car and if there's a recall on whatever the problem is. If I have to go to the dealer how much will they charge to fix it. I would also like to know why my dealer doesn't notify me when there are recalls in my vehicle. Thank you so much.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 40 MPH, a loud abnormal noise was heard and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. Also, the rear of the vehicle fell towards the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who repaired the vehicle, but the diagnosis was unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 196,986.
After a visit to my local dealership, I was informed that my ESC system - unit is in failure mode. Manufacturer informed of "defective problem" concerning their product. Consumer should not be responsible for costs related to replacement repair. $3000.00 > this is a serious safety hazard, in which Hyundai corporation should issue a "recall" of years 2006-2009, models that are in "failure mode" as per dealership today
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the ESC warning indicator was constantly illuminating intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V316000 (electronic stability control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 121,000.
Related recalls
Electronic stability control › Automatic (asc)
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3.3 liter engines and electronic stability control (ESC), the ESC May have been programmed to be oversensitive to the onset of oversteering while driving on banked curves, causing inadvertent application of the front outside brake when ESC activation May not be needed.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ESC hydraulic electronic control unit. The recall began on July 29, 2005. Owners May contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA investigations
Stop lamp switch failure
By letter dated April 15, 2009, Hyundai notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 09V122) to replace the stop lamp switches on many of its model year 2005-2008 vehicles.see recall 09V122 for a complete list. The agency opened its investigation based on five complaints of stop lamp failure across several 2007 Hyundai models.
Traction Control complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 6% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Sonata traction control problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-316 (automatic (asc), Jul 7, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Hyundai Sonata traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to stability & traction control 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.