VehicleVerdict

2006 Hyundai Tucson problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Hyundai Tucson is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 202 owner complaints run below the Tucson median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (38), electrical system (24), and engine (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

202

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Tucson years?

Tucson NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted2,157 complaints2005: 273 complaints2006: 202 complaints2007: 85 complaints2008: 66 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 78 complaints2011: 174 complaints2012: 314 complaints2013: 317 complaints2014: 238 complaints2015: 304 complaints2016: 2,157 complaints2017: 1,445 complaints2018: 525 complaints2019: 517 complaints2020: 227 complaints2021: 102 complaints2022: 559 complaints2023: 204 complaints2024: 137 complaints2025: 414 complaints2026: 60 complaints
Tucson NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tucson years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Hyundai Tucson problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3819%
Electrical System2412%
Engine2110%
Other178%
Brakes157%
Steering136%
Suspension136%
Body & Structure136%
Lighting105%
Speed Control94%
Seat Belts84%
Transmission84%
Fuel System63%
Tires & Wheels31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Latches & Locks10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2006 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?

5 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.

07V197000AirbagsMay 8, 2007 · 2,967 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, STATIC AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TESTING CONDUCTED BY NHTSA USING FIFTH PERCENTILE FEMALE DUMMIES INDICATED THAT A SMALL STATURE ADULT DRIVER NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT AND INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL OR NEAR FRONTAL CRASH, THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT OCCUR.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE WITH ONE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN OF COMPLIANCE FOR LOW RISK DEPLOYMENT FOR SMALL STATURE ADULTS WHO ARE NOT PROPERLY WEARING THE SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2007, AND WILL BE PERFORMED IN TWO MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

06V445000AirbagsNovember 22, 2006 · 128,300 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DURING STATIC AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TESTING CONDUCTED BY NHTSA USING FIFTH PERCENTILE FEMALE DUMMIES INDICATED IF A SMALL STATURED ADULT DRIVER, NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL OR NEAR FRONTAL CRASH, DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY RESULT IN AN INSUFFICIENT MARGIN OF COMPLIANCE AS MEASURED BY THE TEST DUMMY USED IN THE NHTSA TEST.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED THROUGH SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

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 TUCSON. WHILE TURNING INTO AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS REAR DRIVER-SIDE DOOR. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ONE PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN RIB, AND OTHERS SUFFERED BUMPS AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 21, 2009 · crash

“THE POWER WINDOWS ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO FOUND A BLOWN FUSE. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR COMPUTER LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE STARTED TO BURN. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE FUSE AND CUT THE WIRES TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 5, 2010 · fire

“THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES, RANDOMLY WHEN I STOP ON A RED LIGHT, AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR'S RPM CAN GO UP TO 3000/35000 BUT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. I PUT IT IN PARKING, AND THEN BACK IN DRIVE AND MOVES SLOWLY. THIS HAPPENED QUITE A FEW TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY DROVE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 11, 2016

“I REAR ENDED A PICKUP TRUCK AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID MY SEATBELT RE TRACK CAUSING HEAD INJURY BY HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AND JAW INJURY BY HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 4, 2009 · crash

“HYUNDAI NEVER NOTIFIED US OF THE SUBFRAME RUST RECALL. OUR MECHANIC JUST POINTED OUT THAT OUR'S. HE SAID THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. GETTING IT REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. BRAKE LINES HAVE ALREADY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP, FRONT SUSPENSION ALL AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 15, 2021

2006 Hyundai Tucson — common questions

Is the 2006 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

It is close to typical for the Tucson: 202 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2006 Tucson problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (38 complaints), electrical system (24 complaints), engine (21 complaints).

Does the 2006 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Hyundai Tucson. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Hyundai Tucson under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Hyundai Tucson years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tucson years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2022, 2018, 2019, 2025, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2014, 2020, 2011, 2021, 2010. The cleanest record among Tucson years belongs to 2009.

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.