Several issues held the Hyundai Sonata back in 2006, but many pre-2011 models are reliable cars overall. However, 2011 to 2015 models have had issues, including engines that may seize, faulty airbags, and stalling problems.
Key Points
- The 2006 Hyundai Sonata was the first year that saw significant growth in complaints and recalls. The airbag sensor for the passenger seat failed, the brake lights wouldn’t illuminate, and the suspension could fail due to corrosion.
- A massive recall, fine, and lawsuit are attached to 2011 to 2014 Hyundai Sonatas and the Theta II GDI engine. Even if the faulty engine was replaced, owners encountered airbags that didn’t inflate and cars that rolled away.
- The 2015 Hyundai Sonata introduced many positive changes, but its engine still produced a lot of complaints, along with the new panoramic sunroof flying away, or its turn signals indicating the wrong way.
Earlier Years of the Hyundai Sonata are Mostly Rock Solid Until 2011’s Disastrous Engine Change
Since 1989, the Hyundai Sonata has been steadily growing a loyal following as an affordable and dependable family-friendly sedan. Through the late 90s and early 2000s, it performed well for drivers with minimal driver complaints and recalls. That is, until 2006 when it encountered some issues with the airbags and frame.
Overall, it continued to be a smart buy, until Hyundai opened a new production line for their Theta II engines in 2011. This resulted in an entire generation of vehicles that should be avoided.
Some 2006 Sonatas Have a Corroding Frame, Bad Brake Lights, and May not Deploy Passenger Airbag
The Hyundai Sonata was known as a dependable sedan, even as it released its fourth generation in 2004. But the 2006 Hyundai Sonata became a standout year for all the wrong reasons. At the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it earned 11 recalls and over one thousand complaints.
Over 400 of the registered complaints pertain to the airbag system. Drivers report that the airbag warning light illuminates, and if somebody sits in the front passenger seat, the occupancy light does not turn off. If there was an accident, the passenger airbag may not deploy, because the car doesn’t think anybody is sitting there.
A recall was issued for the airbag issue, which affected nearly 400,000 vehicles. Owners sent their passenger seat cushions out for inspection and repair.
Other notable problems for the 2006 included a large recall for a stop light switch that may not illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed, and a recall for a corroding frame cross-member that could destroy the suspension control arm.
2011 to 2014 Sonatas have GDI Engines that may Seize, Leading to a Warranty Extension of Up to 120,000 Miles
In September 2015, the NHTSA issued a recall for every 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonata with a 2.0L or 2.4L GDI Theta II engine. Connecting rods were failing due to debris left in the engine chamber during the manufacturing process. This caused the rods to wear and the engine to seize. Fires and accidents resulted from the failures.
Once the recall was in place, if the dealer detected engine wear, Hyundai replaced the short block and extended its powertrain warranty to 120,000 miles.
A separate recall in March 2017 expanded the campaign to include the 2013 and 2014 Hyundai Sonata. Initially, Hyundai had told the NHTSA that they had addressed the manufacturing problem. Engines produced after 2012 were supposedly free from defects. That was not true, as more owners reported engines seizing.
Ultimately, Hyundai was fined $210 million by the NHTSA for their failure to disclose problems in their manufacturing line to both the public and federal entities. A class-action lawsuit paid out $760 million to owners and lessees of the blighted car.
However, Hyundai could decide under the recall not to replace an engine if they saw no indications of excessive internal wear.
Other Issues for 2011-2014 Sonatas Include Faulty Airbags, Malfunctioning Brake Lights, and Bad Transmission Cables
The engine does not tell the entire story for these troubled years. The 2011 collected over 3,000 complaints and gathered 14 recalls. An airbag control circuit would short-circuit, disabling the airbag system. Another recall indicated that the brake pedal may not close the switch that operates the brake lights. Even the transmission shift cable could detach, resulting in a roll-away scenario.
The 2012 and 2013 Hyundai Sonata added seat belt linkage problems to many of the same recalls issued for the 2011.
Complaints dropped dramatically for the 2014, with only 437 on the books. But six of the worst recalls from the previous years applied to the sedan.
2015 Hyundai Sonata Introduced New Design but Still Struggled with the Engine, Turn Signals, and Sunroof
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata introduced the seventh generation of the sedan. Although Hyundai made the necessary changes to their engine production line, the engine still earned 278 of the 566 complaints lodged with the NHTSA.
At Car Complaints, the most common problem reported by owners is the engine stalling while driving. A few drivers reported to the NHTSA that their engine failed. However, no recall has been issued for the problem. There are 24 technical bulletins generated to address a variety of engine service issues, including the knock sensor, engine light, and extending the original powertrain warranty on some engines.
Of the nine recalls found on this car, only the one affecting the turn signal software applies to every Sonata. A computer glitch can cause the computer to illuminate the opposite turn signal. A simple update fixed the problem.
Another recall applied to every sedan with the panoramic sunroof installed. A bad wind deflector could cause the entire panel to detach while the car is in motion. A new anchor plate addressed the deficiency.
The Hyundai Sonata Shines in Most Years but Struggled in 2006 and 2011 to 2015
While it is clear that you should avoid 2011 to 2015, and 2006 Hyundai Sonatas, all other years are a solid choice in the used car market. Registered recalls and complaints drop dramatically on 2016 or newer models, making them the more reliable choice, especially if they’re still under some sort of factory warranty.
Photos: Hyundai
