VehicleVerdict

2006 Hyundai Azera problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 280 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.8 times the median Azera year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 13 Azera years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 11 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (59), lighting (48), and electrical system (41), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

280

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

11

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Azera years?

Azera NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted280 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 280 complaints2007: 188 complaints2008: 101 complaints2009: 36 complaints2010: 11 complaints2011: 35 complaints2012: 82 complaints2013: 149 complaints2014: 60 complaints2015: 17 complaints2016: 17 complaints2017: 16 complaints
Azera NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Azera years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Hyundai Azera problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags5921%
Lighting4817%
Electrical System4115%
Seat Belts259%
Suspension207%
Brakes145%
Engine135%
Seats114%
Speed Control93%
Body & Structure83%
Other73%
Tires & Wheels52%
Steering52%
Transmission52%
Fuel System41%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Latches & Locks21%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2006 Hyundai Azera have recalls?

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

18V026000BrakesJanuary 9, 2018 · 87,854 units

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 .

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 172.

13V354000SuspensionAugust 12, 2013 · 364,502 units

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 registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.

Consequence

Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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. Hyundai's recall number is 113.

10V007000Seat BeltsJanuary 8, 2010 · 80 units

Defect

HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 AZERA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2008. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR MAY SUSTAIN DAMAGE AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE SEAT BELT. IF THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING BECOMES DAMAGED THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT IS AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY SHOULD THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.

Remedy

HYUNDAI WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT AND INSTALL A NEW SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING HARNESS CLIP, IF NECESSARY, AND REROUTE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING AND SECURE THE WIRING WITH A NEW HARNESS CLIP. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO 1-787-999-3333.

09V497000Seat BeltsDecember 28, 2009 · 65,185 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 AZERA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2008. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR MAY SUSTAIN DAMAGE AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE SEAT BELT. IF THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING BECOMES DAMAGED THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

THE SEAT OCCUPANT IS AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY SHOULD THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.

Remedy

HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

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.

08E021000LightingMarch 7, 2008 · 4,085 units

Defect

HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 4,085 REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2006-2008 SONATA AND AZERA VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ALIGNED PROPERLY AND FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

HYUNDAI-KIA DEALERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR SUPPLY TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. NONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WERE SOLD AS RETAIL. AS A RESULT, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLORE UNTIL AFTER THE CAR FULLY STOPPED BUT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TIGHTEN CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL I GOT A BLEED INJURY INSIDE MY RIGHT BREAST THE RIGHTING STOPPED ONLY AFTER I WAS ABKE TO RELEASE IT THEN AFTERWARDS THE AIRBAG DEPLORED ONLY IN THE DRIVERS SIDE NO OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 12, 2016 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI AZERA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A DARK ROAD, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE A DEER IN THE ROAD BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHINING ONLY 20 FEET AHEAD. AS A RESULT, THE DEER WAS STRUCK BY THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS UNINJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 18, 2008 · crash

“AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLORE UNTIL AFTER THE CAR FULLY STOPPED BUT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TIGHTEN CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL I GOT A BLEED INJURY INSIDE MY RIGHT BREAST THE RIGHTING STOPPED ONLY AFTER I WAS ABKE TO RELEASE IT THEN AFTERWARDS THE AIRBAG DEPLORED ONLY IN THE DRIVERS SIDE NO OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 12, 2016 · crash

“AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLORE UNTIL AFTER THE CAR FULLY STOPPED BUT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TIGHTEN CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL I GOT A BLEED INJURY INSIDE MY RIGHT BREAST THE RIGHTING STOPPED ONLY AFTER I WAS ABKE TO RELEASE IT THEN AFTERWARDS THE AIRBAG DEPLORED ONLY IN THE DRIVERS SIDE NO OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 12, 2016 · crash

“EXCESSIVE SQUEAKING NOISE EMITTING FROM FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. VEHICLE ANALYZED BY PEP BOYS MECHANIC. RESOLUTION WAS TO REMOVE AND REPLACE FRONT BALL JOINT UPPER AND REMOVE AND REPLACE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, THE REAR SCREEN IS ACTIVATED WHEN VEHICLE IS TAKEN OUT OF PARK AND PLACE IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 10, 2014

2006 Hyundai Azera — common questions

Is the 2006 Hyundai Azera reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 280 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 13 Azera years. It is one of the Azera years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Azera problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (59 complaints), lighting (48 complaints), electrical system (41 complaints).

Does the 2006 Hyundai Azera have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Hyundai Azera. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Hyundai Azera under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Hyundai Azera years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Azera years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among Azera years belongs to 2005.

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.