Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
There is a recall for the rear lower control arms for the 2006 Hyundai sonata getting rusty and not performing. My car was taken in for an alignment and the mechanic said he isn't able to make the toe match up to be in good driving standards. I tried reaching out to a Hyundai dealership and they checked the VIN and said they couldn't do anything about it because my car isn't in a certain part of the United States. If I don't get this fixed soon the mechanic said my when could fall out of alignment and cause some serious damage to me or someone else.
I took my car in for the rear crossmember recall in 2016. Even though it was rusted they did not replace it however the did replace the front cross member because it had holes in it and was rusted. They replaced rusted brake and fuel lines (which I paid for) the car has never been right since and now the power steering lines are rusted and the car is not able to be driven. I am the original owner. The car has 87,787 original miles on it. Always garage kept, not driven in the winter. There is no reason this car should be in the condition it is in. With the car now out of warranty by a few months Hyundai refuses to do anything even though they should have replaced corroded lines and other parts last year when it was under warranty. We also own a 2006 Buick which was driven in the winter and it does not have one speck of rust on it. This is a known Hyundai issue. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH the vehicle unexpectedly swerved and the steering wheel had no resistance with the ESC light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to (plaza Hyundai 2740 nostrand ave #2, brooklyn, ny 11210) for a diagnostic exam. The diagnosis was that the steering angle sensor, ABS wheel speed sensor front passenger, front passenger axle had failed. However the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximately 140,000. The contact mentioned that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V354000 (suspension) and 05V216000 (electronic stability control).
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.
My wife and I purchased the vehicle on 10/11/2016 at j.d. Byrider of mansfield and noticed that there was a clicking type sound when starting vehicle. On 10/14/2016 while my wife was leaving work she went to turn the vehicle and it was very hard but managed to get home and woke me up, I then went out and viewed that the serpentine belt was very loose and that there was a pulley laying by the engine; jd byrider fixed the issue of pulley and belt; after we received the vehicle back we noticed that the clicking type noise was still there.
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
I was driving 25 miles when the rear axle broke. According to research, this is a part that was not replaced in recall in 2013. I need the repair because the car is not moving. I almost crashed the car with another one. We were my pregnant wife and me. Recall 113
When exiting a highway onto an exit ramp to the right, the car looses power steering at around 35 miles per hour. My wife can not turn the wheel at all. It has happened to me, my wife and my stepson. After straightening the wheel the car can be steered.
The suspension is going on a arm due to rust and the bearing which makes my car seem to not.have good.control.
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. …
Steering complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 3% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Sonata steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 15% 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.