Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious engine issue with my 2006 Hyundai Sonata equipped with a 2.4L GDI engine. My vehicle experienced [engine knocking, stalling, and then seized up indicating complete Engine failure] without warning, posing a potential safety hazard while driving. The issue appears to be identical to the known manufacturing defects that Hyundai has acknowledged in its recall of 2013-2014 Sonata models with the same engine Class Type. Although my vehicle is not currently included in the official recall " SONATA ENGINE RECALL CAMPAIGN it contains the Theta II MPI Engine which constitutes and Further solidifies proof of the ongoing Manufacturing Defects of Theta Model Engine design and exhibits the same symptoms of sudden engine failure. This raises concerns that the defect may affect a broader range of model years than Hyundai has acknowledged. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while at an intersection, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was slowly driven back to the residence. The contact engaged the parking brake and attempted to shift the gear shifter from neutral to park which failed to operate as designed. The contact's husband used a rock to chock the rear wheel, disengaged the parking brake, and shifted the vehicle into park. The battery terminals were disconnected. The following day the vehicle was towed to columbus square auto (61 blinman st, new london, ct 06320, [phone]) where it was determined that the shifter fused failed and needed to be replaced. …
The transmission started to become jerky at 140,000 miles. This occured on a vehicle with automatic transmission; while the car was moving and in drive, it would delay and then jerk when shifting up or down, such as when the car was accelerating after stepping on the accelerator (especially during turns or entering highways) or when the car was declerating (especially when on a city street, moving 40 mp4 or less) and neither the brake or accelerator was being applied. The car also delayed and jerked hard when shifting to and from reverse.
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 60-70 MPH, the speed would decrease to 20-30 MPH without warning. The vehicle would not shut off, but it would jerk repeatedly while it decelerated. The failure occurred without the brake pedal being depressed and has taken place numerous times. The vehicle was taken to three different dealers. Initially, the transmission was replaced, but the failure recurred 1,400 miles later. Secondly, the dealer stated that the cylinoid needed to be replaced. The repairs were completed, but the failure recurred 1,600 miles later. The third dealer stated that there was another cylinoid that needed to be replaced and the repair was made. Two weeks later, the vehicle continued to jerk at speeds no greater than 70 MPH. The vehicle jerked back to 20 MPH automatically. …
The transmission initially went out on my vehicle which was replaced under warranty. I went to pick up my vehicle from those repairs and as I drove home approx 3 miles I felt something was wrong with the vehicle's response, then the steering grabbed as I made a right turn and did not release almost causing me to strike a vehicle. The steering was "grabbing" or sticking turning left and right, I returned to the dealer, their inspection determined that the steering rack "let loose", the dealer put in 2 power steering pumps, and two steering racks and flushed the system multiple times. The third rack seemed to have resolved the issue however the dealer could not say how or why this happened or what caused this although I did not have any issues with the steering prior to dropping the vehicle off for the replacement transmission work. …
Complaint centers on a pattern of deceptive and misleading representations by Hyundai dealership in las vegas, planet Hyundai. Car was brought to them shortly after July 1, 2007, with a driver complaint of failure to upshift properly resulting in excessively high rpms. Dealer responded by resetting the computer codes after consulting with manufacturer in california, allegedly. Car was returned to owner with promise that if this reoccurred, transmission would be replaced, as per manufacturers direction. Subsequently, a week later the car was returned to dealer with the same problem. The car has been on the dealer's lot since middle of July, no work has been performed, dealer refuses to replace transmission, and car has suffered extensive body damage while on the lot. Dealer adamantly refuses to perform warranty work on car.
Good morning! I am having problems with my Sonata and I need assistance and advise. My vehicle has broke down with me on 3 occasions with the same problem. I am concerned because my warranty will be running out at 60,000 miles and I am concerned about my safety. The belt that goes from the A/C to the motor and the alternator continues to fray and burn up in pieces. At this point the car is inoperable. I was told by the Hyundai dealership that they have replaced these belts with chain belts on the new Sonata's because of this problem. Everytime I have had it repaired they told me that it would not happen again and it has happened (3) times. I contacted the Hyundai company last Thursday and no one has contacted me or made an attempt to talk with me. Thank you for your assistance with this matter. Marcia smith
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. When the vehicle was started and placed in either drive or reverse, it suddenly accelerated. In addition, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle unless he placed the gear in neutral. There were no warning indicators illuminated before or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to car pros Hyundai renton (201 s 7th st, renton, wa 98057) where it was diagnosed that the torque converter failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not provided. VIN available
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated the steering wheel became very difficult to steer while turning right. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The contact spoke with the dealer and was informed that water got onto the steering belt and caused the failure. The contact felt that there was more of an issue because they were unable to shift the vehicle out of drive and into park when they attempted to park. The failure and current mileages were 25,651... Updated 08/15/12 the consumer stated the battery light illuminated as well. Updated 08/21/12
Transmission complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 2% of the model year's 1,047 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Sonata transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 13% 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.