Most common 2006 Hyundai Tucson problems
Share of the 135 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Tucson complaints by model year
Best Tucson years: 2011. Years to avoid: 2025, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023. Compare all years →
2006 Hyundai Tucson recalls (5)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
On certain vehicles, static air bag deployment testing conducted by NHTSA using fifth percentile female dummies indicated that a small stature adult driver not wearing a seat belt and involved in a frontal or near frontal crash, the deployment of the driver air bag May not occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver air bag module with one that is designed to provide an increased margin of compliance for low risk deployment for small stature adults who are not properly wearing the seat belts.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
On certain sport utility vehicles, during static air bag deployment testing conducted by NHTSA using fifth percentile female dummies indicated if a small statured adult driver, not wearing a seat belt, is involved in a frontal or near frontal crash, deployment of the driver air bag May result in an insufficient margin of…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver air bag module. The recall began on January 29, 2007, and will be conducted through six mailings. Owners May contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Hyundai Tucson:
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.
What 2006 Hyundai Tucson owners say
Air bags all 37 →
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, he noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with the air bag module needing to be replaced. The independent mechanic cleaned the contacts for the seat sensors however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. While driving approximately 5 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The front end of the vehicle sustained severe damage. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The driver sustained head, neck, back, and shoulder injuries. The front passenger sustained injuries to the head injury, neck, and back. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.
Engine & cooling all 21 →
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light and the TPMS warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the engine overheated. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall and Technical Service Bulletin: 952. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
When I drive my car and right after I put gas in my car I smell gas to the point that my husband and I are coming home with headaches and we're sick to her stomach I've taken it to a mechanic and they say there's nothing wrong the engine check engine light keep on coming on and then it will go off after it sit for a couple minutes turned off I'm about ready to have a baby in June and I'm so worried to have the baby in the car the brakes have stopped working to the point that I've gone in through lights and I can hardly put the brakes on I have to use emergency brake sometimes and nobody will help me get it taken care of I have had almost couple wrecks because I cannot get the brakes to stop take a lock on me and it's scary when you're having a baby and you know your seatbelt your brakes are locking but you for your seat belt to keep safe and my brakes locked to the point I cannot get …
Electrical system
When it rains my steering wheel locks up when I drive thru a puddle I have brought my car to used car dealer where I bought it from and they say nothing is wrong but steering wheel locks when driving that to me is major problem they checked belt water is getting somewhere and causing a short hence power steering to lock it only happens when it rains
The power windows on the vehicle were not working. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who found a blown fuse. The fuse was replaced, and almost immediately, the tire pressure monitor computer located under the center console started to burn. The mechanic disconnected the fuse and cut the wires to the TPMS module. I then took the car to the dealership to explain the problem. At first they acted like they didn't have any idea what I was talking about. I left the car with them. Several hours later, they advised the TPMS module had indeed short circuited and therefore the module and entire harness would have to be replaced at a cost of $3,000. They could not advise me why this happened. In fact, the service rep could not understand why replacing a window fuse would cause the TPMS module to burn since they are on different circuits. …
2006 Hyundai Tucson engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Hyundai Tucson a good car?
Based on 135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Tucson rates average: 38% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tucson at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Hyundai Tucson?
The air bags — 37 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › driver side › inflator module. Next are the engine & cooling (21) and electrical system (16).
How many recalls does the 2006 Hyundai Tucson have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2006 Hyundai Tucson, the most recent from April 1, 2013 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Tucson?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2023. See the full Hyundai Tucson years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Hyundai Tucson problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 37% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.