Hyundai Sonata 2006–2010 problems by year and mileage
5th generation (NF)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20262,973 complaints, 2,431 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,047
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 2006
- Airbag system435 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Visibility equipment156 reports · median 63,000 mi
- Seat belts102 reports · median 77,000 mi
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Suspension — rear · Exterior lighting
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 696
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system257 reports · median 76,000 mi
- Visibility equipment107 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit62 reports · median 26,000 mi
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Exterior lighting — brake lights · Exterior lighting
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- 62,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 425
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2008
- Airbag system137 reports · median 72,000 mi
- Visibility equipment67 reports · median 50,000 mi
- Engine48 reports · median 114,000 mi
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Exterior lighting — brake lights · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- 68,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 460
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2009
- Brakes64 reports · median 66,000 mi
- Electrical system61 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Engine56 reports · median 108,000 mi
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Hyundai Sonata
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 345
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2010
- Body structure164 reports · median 68,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise36 reports
- Engine29 reports
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2006; earliest: the 2008, and the 2006 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2006–2010 Hyundai Sonata reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 67,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 138,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,431
- Recalls
- 10
Most reported
- Airbag system29.6% of complaints · median 70,000 mi
- Visibility equipment11.5% of complaints · median 61,000 mi
- Body structure9.6% of complaints · median 69,000 mi
Owners filed 2,973 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006–2010 Hyundai Sonata; the airbag system leads with 29.6% of them, and half of the 2,431 that record an odometer reading came by 67,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 38,000 to 100,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2006–2010 Hyundai Sonata last?
On the 2006–2010 Hyundai Sonata, half of the 2,431 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 67,000 miles and 90% by 138,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
169 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 25 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Sonata reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Sonata 2006–2010 · 2,431 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 156 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 25 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 16,000
- 25%
- 38,000
- Median
- 67,000
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 138,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 133 | 5.5% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 50 | 2.1% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 47 | 1.9% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 77 | 3.2% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 64 | 2.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 79 | 3.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 98 | 4.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 85 | 3.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 97 | 4.0% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 79 | 3.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 83 | 3.4% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 90 | 3.7% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 156 | 6.4% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 145 | 6.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 114 | 4.7% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 90 | 3.7% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 101 | 4.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 77 | 3.2% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 78 | 3.2% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 71 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 72 | 3.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 49 | 2.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 47 | 1.9% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 54 | 2.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 52 | 2.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 34 | 1.4% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 43 | 1.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 28 | 1.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 39 | 1.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 30 | 1.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 33 | 1.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 19 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 17 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 13 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 15 | 0.6% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 16 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 18 | 0.7% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 6 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 25 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Sonata problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Hyundai Sonata 2006–2010
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Visibility equipment341 reportsmedian 61,000middle half 42,000–73,000
- Body structure284 reportsmedian 69,000middle half 46,000–91,000
- Airbag system879 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 36,000–102,000
- Brakes204 reportsmedian 73,000middle half 54,000–106,000
- Electrical system246 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 55,000–115,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)200 reportsmedian 91,000middle half 61,000–121,000
- Engine218 reportsmedian 106,000middle half 72,000–130,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 879 | 29.6% | 70,000 | 36,000–102,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 341 | 11.5% | 61,000 | 42,000–73,000 |
| Body structure | 284 | 9.6% | 69,000 | 46,000–91,000 |
| Electrical system | 246 | 8.3% | 80,000 | 55,000–115,000 |
| Engine | 218 | 7.3% | 106,000 | 72,000–130,000 |
| Brakes | 204 | 6.9% | 73,000 | 54,000–106,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 200 | 6.7% | 91,000 | 61,000–121,000 |
| Seat belts | 189 | 6.4% | 80,000 | 60,000–110,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 159 | 5.3% | 27,000 | 19,000–40,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 157 | 5.3% | 80,000 | 44,000–106,000 |
Known problems with the 2006–2010 Sonata
Engine
The 2.4L Theta here is the port-injected version, NOT the Theta II GDI. It has no connecting-rod-bearing recall history — an important distinction from the 2011+ car that shares the '2.4 Theta' shorthand.
Airbags
Occupant classification / passenger airbag sensing system faults leading to non-deployment conditions; subject to campaign action.
Before you buy a 2006–2010 Sonata: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,431 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check airbags.
- Years differ here: from 345 to 1,047 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Sonata problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi40% below | At 90k mi68% below | At 120k mi84% below | At 150k mi93% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 36,000–102,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility equipment | 42,000–73,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 46,000–91,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 55,000–115,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 72,000–130,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 54,000–106,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 61,000–121,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Hyundai Sonata 2006–2010 · 2,431 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 40% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 68% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2006–2010 Hyundai Sonata recalls (10)
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the exterior lighting (4), the hydraulic brake circuit (1), the suspension (1) (why one area can repeat).
Jan 2018 · 2006 · Service Brakes, HydraulicAn electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
What can happen. An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall…
Aug 2013 · 2006–2010 · SuspensionControl arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently…
What can happen. Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151.…
Apr 2013 · 2007–2010 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the…
The free fix. 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…
Jul 2009 · 2006–2007 · Exterior LightingAny of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Any of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Apr 2009 · 2006–2007 · Exterior LightingAny of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
The defect. 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. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch…
What can happen. Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Apr 2008 · 2006–2008 · Air BagsMisclassification of a small stature adult as a child in the right front passenger seat may cause the right…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling 393,308 my 2006-2008 Sonata vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system which features an occupant classification system (ocs) in the right front seat. The purpose of the ocs is to disable the right passenger seat front air bag when…
What can happen. Misclassification of a small stature adult as a child in the right front passenger seat may cause the right front air bag to not inflate in an accident that merits air bag deployment and may result…
The free fix. Dealers will verify that the ocs does not properly recognize a properly seated adult occupant. After verification, dealers will remove the right front seat cushion assembly and ship it to an…
Jun 2006 · 2006 · EquipmentIf the labels are distorted or missing, the driver or front seat passenger will not have information…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the air bag warning label installed on the sunvisors had lost adhesion to the sunvisors and had distorted or separated from the sun visors.
What can happen. If the labels are distorted or missing, the driver or front seat passenger will not have information available that may help protect them in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the sunvisor assemblies free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2006. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
May 2006 · 2006 · Exterior LightingAn improperly positioned turn signal lens may reduce the intensity of the turn signal illumination, reducing…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the inner bezels of the headlamps were not properly assembled which may cause the turn signal lenses to be improperly positioned.
What can happen. An improperly positioned turn signal lens may reduce the intensity of the turn signal illumination, reducing its visibility to oncoming traffic, which may result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the left and right headlamp assemblies free of charge. The recall began on june 26, 2006. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Aug 2005 · 2006 · SeatsThe inadvertent release of a front seat back recliner may result in injury to vehicle occupants.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the front seat belt may interfere with the manual seat back recliner knob and could cause the front manual seat back recliner to inadvertently release.
What can happen. The inadvertent release of a front seat back recliner may result in injury to vehicle occupants.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the manual seat back recliner knob(s) free of charge. The recall began on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Jul 2005 · 2006 · Electronic Stability ControlThis may cause the vehicle to slow and may affect the path that the vehicle is traveling.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. This may cause the vehicle to slow and may affect the path that the vehicle is traveling. Brake application caused by inadvertent esc activation may result in a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 2,973 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 132 (4.4%)
- Fires
- 40
- Injury reports
- 82
- Fatality reports
- 3
Sonata problems by model year
The 2006 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,047, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2010 the fewest, 345. A typical year drew about 460.
That makes the 2006 stand out at roughly 2.3 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,047 | 867 | 70,000 | Airbag system (435) | 9 |
| 2007 | 696 | 568 | 64,000 | Airbag system (257) | 5 |
| 2008 | 425 | 343 | 62,000 | Airbag system (137) | 3 |
| 2009 | 460 | 374 | 68,000 | Brakes (64) | 2 |
| 2010 | 345 | 279 | 65,000 | Body structure (164) | 2 |
What Sonata owners reported
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was previously illuminated. Additionally, the seat belt warning light was activated for the passenger’s seat while the seat was unoccupied. The contact was concerned that the safety restraint system (SRS) might not function…
2007 · 107,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground and the…
2006 · 112,000 miles · Engine
The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle was turning the corner. It was unknown if any warning lights were illuminated. As a result, the vehicle was T-boned by a vehicle that was turning the corner, then crashed and the vehicle came to a…
2009 · 140,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly became stiff and failed to turn in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an appointment was scheduled with the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was…
2009 · 151,000 miles · Steering
Built from 2,431 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Sonata generations
- Sonata 1999–2005 1,082 reports with mileage, most about body structure
- Sonata 2011–2014 5,307 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Sonata 2015–2019 1,434 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Sonata 2020–2025 120 reports with mileage, most about the engine