Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Hyundai Tucson owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 …
While driving one day, I felt my car shift as if the wheel had slipped, this occurred many times after making a turn. I recently had work done to the front (strut, tie rod, knuckle, ball joint) and am also in need of a wheel alignment. I wondered if this was why, so I called the mechanic back, but he told me that it was my tires. However there is still a fair amount of tread on my tires, so I am not sure if thats really true. Next thing I know, my car accelerated out of nowhere and was almost like driving itself at 20mph (the speed it was stuck on even after slowing down). Also while on the high way it did the same thing-- accelerated on its own and jerked to the right. I had to pretty much hurry and catch the wheel before slamming into another car while on a turn and going about 55mph. At random times it will accelerate and pretty much drive itself while I am driving. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. After the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to shaker's family Hyundai (674 straits tpke, watertown, ct 06795, [phone]) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the adaptive values were reset and the vehicle should perform as designed. The contact retrieved the vehicle and while driving into her driveway, the oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the throttle body and mas air flow sensors however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. While the vehicle was idling in the park position, it stalled. The vehicle was restarted, but it stalled again. The contact stated that the failure occurred sporadically for two and a half years. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the air idle control valve failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired back in May of 2016, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,300.
When slowing or idling the car will stall and come to a stop, unable to accelerate again. As the car stalls it becomes very difficult to steer and all the dashboard lights come on (check engine light, oil light, emergency break light, etc). This usually happens when I am slowing down to make a turn and has happened once on the highway. Very scary and dangerous to come to a sudden stop while trying to take an exit on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. While driving 35 MPH, the gear shifted without notice and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (classic Hyundai located at 8460 tyler blvd mentor, oh 44060 [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 103,000.
The car has less than 3000 miles, randomly when I stop on a red light, and then try to accelerate the car's RPM can go up to 3000/35000 but the car will not move. I put it in parking, and then back in drive and moves slowly. This happened quite a few times. I took it to the dealer, they drove the car and tsaid they couldn't find anything.
The lower engine splash cover came off my 2006 Hyundai Tucson. I was lucky it came off while backing out of my driveway. If this large piece of plastic came off on the highway it would be easy to lose control of the vehicle. It could also be hazardous to any vehicles behind a car losing this part. The splash pan is bolted on with the bolts going up into a recess and has a metal washer going against the plastic. The dealer has told me that this part is taken off each time the oil is changed. My car has about 43,000 miles on it this means the oil has been changed about 15 times. Due to the fact I was backing up the splash pan was not damaged very much. The plastic where the washer hits it is completely worn away and the holes have become large enough that the washer no longer will hold it. You can?t put a larger washer on it because of the way it is recessed. …
Crankshaft balancer/pulley separation causes serpentine belt failure and loss of power steering. The crankshaft pulley on several Hyundai models with the 2.7 liter engine appears to have a high failure rate. The pulley is made of an inner and outer metal rings joined with an elastomeric compound. When the elastomeric compound fails the outer ring slips and works off the inner pulley causing the serpentine belt to bind against the engine block a or accessory mounting brackets resulting in a catastrophic failure. In all cases the failure results in a loss of drive to all accessories including the power steering pump. I have found numerous articles/blogs about this issue including this video on youtube www.youtube.com /watch?v=x5kzz1tmj8y .
Engine complaints in other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Hyundai Tucson, 16% of the model year's 135 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Tucson engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Hyundai Tucson, though it has 5 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 Tucson engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 16% 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.