VehicleVerdict

2006 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Hyundai Elantra sits mid-pack among Elantra years: 209 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 213, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 33 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 60 reports (29% of the total).

209

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

37

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

33

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted1,858 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 179 complaints1996: 138 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 75 complaints1999: 183 complaints2000: 259 complaints2001: 445 complaints2002: 431 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 209 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 209 complaints2007: 365 complaints2008: 424 complaints2009: 316 complaints2010: 501 complaints2011: 588 complaints2012: 917 complaints2013: 1,858 complaints2014: 548 complaints2015: 352 complaints2016: 387 complaints2017: 1,070 complaints2018: 397 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 324 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 135 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags6029%
Lighting3919%
Brakes3215%
Electrical System189%
Speed Control115%
Transmission84%
Body & Structure84%
Visibility & Wipers73%
Engine63%
Seats52%
Fuel System31%
Steering31%
Other31%
Suspension21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Latches & Locks10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2006 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 11, 2017 · crash

“NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V280000 , I OWN A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND THE BRAKE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND MY CAR WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONES ON THE RECALL. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF A LOT OF OTHER ELANTRA OWNS THAT WERE NOT ON THE LIST FOR THE RECALL HAD THIS HAPPENING AND IF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 1, 2011

“TL*- ON 01/05/07 THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER IN DANVILLE, VIRGINIA BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GETTING STUCK ON THE FLOOR , AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 01/06/07 WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH H APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 6, 2007 · crash

“REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE 'AIR BAG' LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD GOES OFF - PROBLEM BEGAN UPON INITIALLY STARTING CAR, AND IS NOT LINKED TO ANY ACCIDENT EVER OCCURRED. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE SAFETY OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 28, 2014

“2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATION MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO AN EMPTY SPACE AT A PUBLIC GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 5, 2012 · crash

2006 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2006 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra: 209 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (60 complaints), lighting (39 complaints), brakes (32 complaints).

Does the 2006 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

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.