VehicleVerdict

2006 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Hyundai Accent sits mid-pack among Accent years: 49 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 89, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 47% of all reports (23 of 49), far ahead of visibility & wipers at 11.

49

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted218 complaints1991: 2 complaints1993: 1 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 142 complaints1997: 82 complaints1998: 72 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 148 complaints2002: 163 complaints2003: 45 complaints2004: 40 complaints2005: 76 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 135 complaints2009: 128 complaints2010: 119 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 218 complaints2013: 206 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 160 complaints2017: 97 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 17 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 32 complaints
Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2347%
Visibility & Wipers1122%
Electrical System36%
Lighting36%
Brakes36%
Transmission12%
Other12%
Seat Belts12%
Body & Structure12%
Engine12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2006 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

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, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence

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 transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

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.

09V280000LightingJuly 21, 2009 · 3,011 units

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 ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

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.

09V122000LightingApril 15, 2009 · 532,633 units

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 MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS SENT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS SEATBELTS WERE WORN AND A POLICE REPORT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 2, 2006 · crash

“SUN VISORS BREAK OFF AT THE CONNECTION POINT AND AND THEN FLOP DOWN BLOCKING YOUR VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS IS FROM JUST NORMAL USE. THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR BROKE LAST YEAR. I HAD IT UNINSTALLED BECAUSE A NEW ONE, ( WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PLASTIC CONNECTION ), COSTS $150.. PLUS INSTALLATION. THE PASSENGER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 20, 2015

“THE BRAKE/STOP LAMP SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 2009 UNDER THE FIRST RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. ANOTHER RECALL OCCURRED IN APRIL OF 2013, FOR SELECT 2006 HYUNDAI ACCENTS. MINE WAS NOT COVERED IN THIS SECOND RECALL. THE SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN AND I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 2, 2014

“THE BRAKE/STOP LAMP SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 2009 UNDER THE FIRST RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. ANOTHER RECALL OCCURRED IN APRIL OF 2013, FOR SELECT 2006 HYUNDAI ACCENTS. MINE WAS NOT COVERED IN THIS SECOND RECALL. THE SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN AND I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 2, 2014

“THE BRAKE/STOP LAMP SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 2009 UNDER THE FIRST RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. ANOTHER RECALL OCCURRED IN APRIL OF 2013, FOR SELECT 2006 HYUNDAI ACCENTS. MINE WAS NOT COVERED IN THIS SECOND RECALL. THE SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN AND I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 2, 2014

2006 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 2006 Hyundai Accent reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 49 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Accent year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2006 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (23 complaints), visibility & wipers (11 complaints), lighting (3 complaints).

Does the 2006 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Hyundai Accent under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Accent years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accent years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 1995, 2002, 2016, 2001, 1996, 2008, 2015, 2014. The cleanest record among Accent years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.