The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 08V161000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
2006 Hyundai Sonata airbags problems
435 complaints (42% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000. 19 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 435
- of this car's complaints
- 42%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- crashes
- 19
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal45
- Frontal: sensor/control module20
- Side/window2
- Sensor: occupant classification1
- On-off switch assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Hyundai Sonata airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling 393,308 my 2006-2008 sonata vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system which features an occupant classification system (ocs) in the right front seat. The purpose of the ocs is to disable the right passenger seat front air bag when it detects the presence of a child restraint system or small child in the right front seat. The right front air bag is disabled to prevent injuries to a child that may result from a right front air bag inflation during a crash.
- Risk
- Misclassification of a small stature adult as a child in the right front passenger seat may cause the right front air bag to not inflate in an accident that merits air bag deployment and may result in injury to the right front occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will verify that the ocs does not properly recognize a properly seated adult occupant. After verification, dealers will remove the right front seat cushion assembly and ship it to an evaluation and repair facility. This facility will evaluate and repair or reprogram the seat cushion and ocs as necessary. The recall is expected to begin on or about may 26, 2008. Owners may contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 08V161000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Seat Belt Buckle Electrical Malfunction
On July 22, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation to further analyze allegations of seat belt pretensioner malfunctions on model year (MY) 2006-2008 Hyundai Sonata vehicles.ODI received 131 unique reports alleging a failure within the seat belt pretensioner system, which was typically preceded by SRS light illumination.ODI requested more information from Hyundai in order to understand the nature of the failure and how the airbag deployment algorithm, the seat belt pretensioners, and/or the airbag function may be affected. In response to ODI?s information request (IR), Hyundai submitted 764 unique consumer and field reports and 19,847 warranty claims related to a failure in the front seat belt buckle assembly potentially causing a malfunction of the seat belt pretensioners.In it's response, Hyundai advised that if the resistance specifications for the seat belt buckle pretensioner circuit, located in the seat belt stalk, exceed the nominal range, a diagnostic trouble code will be set and the SRS warning indicator lamp will illuminate.The presence of this stored code will not affect the ability of the SRS Control Module (SRSCM) to detect a collision and command deployment of the pretensioners and airbags, if warranted.In fact, the wiring harness connector may be unplugged from the seat belt buckle pretensioner, and the signal to deploy the pretensioner will still be commanded and recorded.MY 2006-2008 Sonata?s utilize a dual pretensioner system by incorporating pretensioners into both the driver and front passenger seat belt retractor and the seat belt buckle assembly.The retractor pretensioner is located inside the B-pillar and winds (pretensions) the seat belt webbing back into the retractor housing during a collision, helping to remove seat belt slack and restrain the upper torso and hips.In contrast, the buckle pretensioner is located within the stalk of the seat belt assembly and acts to supplement lower limb protection.Both pretensioners are controlled by the SRSCM but utilize separate wiring and connectors.The seat belt retractor pretensioner circuitry and operation is independent of the seat belt buckle pretensioner connector and circuitry.Hyundai produced analysis indicating that increased resistance in the seat belt pretensioner which occurs in vehicle service does not result in a loss of buckle pretensioner.Hyundai further advised that in the unlikely event that a seat belt buckle pretensioner may not deploy due to increased resistance, the retractor pretensioner would still activate.Hyundai advised that the subject vehicles maintain their 5 STAR the federal safety agency safety rating using the retractor based pretensioner only.ODI notes that MY 2009-10 Sonatas reverted back to a single pretensioner system, and do not utilize seat belt buckle pretensioners. Hyundai advised its intention to initiate a warranty extension program to address concerns with the seat belt buckle prentensioner faults in MY 2006-2008 Hyundai Sonata vehicles.This action will extend the warranty coverage for this issue for 15 years or 250,000 miles, whichever occurs first.Given Hyundai's action and the minimal safety consequence this issue presents, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference, se
PE14023
What 2006 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Passenger occupant classification sensor fails to properly identify whether an adult or child is sitting in the front passenger seat causing the airbag to deploy when it shouldn't. If a child is in the front passenger seat and we get into an accident, the child could be hurt or killed by the airbag. We brought it into the Hyundai dealership after receiving a recall notice that it may fail to properly detect whether a child is in the seat or not. At the time of the recall, the dealerships instructions were to place a certain amount of weight on the seat and if the airbag was still disabled then it was determined to be working correctly. I have since been made aware of a Hyundai TSB that came out a couple of years later that stated in all cases the seat cushion was to be removed and sent back to Hyundai for recalibration. In June 2021 the airbag light came on due to a code B1448. In September 2021 I found another TSB by Hyundai stating that they have extended the warranty on the passenger OCS to 15 years, unlimited mileage. The inspection report for the B1448 was on June 7, 2021 and we purchased the car in July 2006. When I called the closest Hyundai dealership regarding the issue they said I was 2 months past the 15 year warranty and there was nothing they could do. I explained that that the code presented itself before the 15 year warranty. It upsets me that I took it in for the airbag recall and the faulty OCS was not replaced at that time. Now I'm stuck driving around a car with the airbag light on or purchase an OCS emulator to fool the system into thinking there is someone sitting in the seat. While this won't fix the problem of the airbag deploying when it shouldn't it doesn't fix the root cause of a faulty OCS mat that Hyundai is well aware of. The vehicle is available for inspection.
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was related to the seat belt which was repaired before; however, the air bag light continued to remain illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
I financed my 2006 Hyundai Sonata from a Maryland state car dealer. At the time of my purchase, the dealer didn’t disclose to me that the vehicle had a branded title. The branded title was discovered by Toco Warranty when I requested a auto extended warranty quote. I contacted the MVA, and was informed that it’s illegal to finance a vehicle in the state of Maryland with a branded title since the actual miles are unknown and this is required by dealers in Maryland in order to finance vehicles to consumers. Although I was no longer required to make payments to the dealer, my vehicle has a ABS malfunction, brake line failure, that has caused brake fluid leakage and brake failure as well as a critical control arm needed repair. I’m disabled and on a fixed income, and purchased this vehicle to assist in getting to and from medical appointments. The total cost of repair from Mr. Tire Auto service centers estimâtes at $2700 and Triple AAA Auto repair centers estimates $ 4700 with $ 2800 to get my vehicle in safe driving condition. Because of my low fixed income, I’m unable to make another vehicle purchase without at least $4,600 for a down payment and I don’t have the money for a new purchase nor to make needed repairs.
The red warning airbag light stays on and it’s visible as I drive. Does this mean the airbags are not going to work should I be involved in an auto accident?
The airbag light in my car stays illuminated and I’m not sure why. No auto/body shops will touch it and the dealership is backed up so bad it’ll be a month and a half before someone can look at it. My car can’t pass inspection like this and if I were to get into an accident it would be extremely dangerous if the airbags didn’t go off.
My AIR BAG warning light is constantly illuminated. I went on line and found Hyundai 2006 Sonata recall RCONL-08V161-6944 and recall RCONL-08V161-9148 which covers this problem. I also found Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin Number 15-BE-002 which provides the service procedures to repair this symptom. Can't believe it simply involves two inexpensive wire ties. The recall letter states that this problem will be repaired at "no charge to you" and Hyundai will "provide you with a vehicle while your vehicle is being serviced. I am unable to pass my states (RI) vehicle inspection without this repair. I took my car to a local Hyundai dealer and was told that when my VIN number was inputted, my vehicle was not included in this recall and there would be a $150.00 diagnostic fee on top of any repair fees. I am not going to pay hundreds of dollars to insert two cable ties, especially when this problem has already been recognized as a Hyundai problem.
Airbag light is on all of the time on my car. I was told some of these cars were recalled for this issue, but it looks like mine was not a part of that recall. It will cost around $1900 to repair, which is currently about half of the value of the car. The vehicle has not been in any crash and prior to the light coming on there were no other issues. It seems as though this is a pretty common issue with this particular vehicle and I feel like the manufacturer should help with repair/replacement since this is a safety issue.
2006 hyundai sonata. Consumer writes in regards to illuminated air bag warning lights. The consumer stated there was a faulty sensor in the front passenger seat mat. The consumer was advised by the dealer that the air bag would not deploy.
Questions about the 2006 Hyundai Sonata airbags
Does the 2006 Hyundai Sonata have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 435 complaints about the airbags of the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, 42% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2006 Hyundai Sonata airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Hyundai Sonata airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 08V161000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad airbags?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (435 complaints), 2011 (419 complaints) and 2007 (257 complaints).
Other 2006 Hyundai Sonata problems
Visibility 186Seat belts 102Electrical 86Suspension 86Brakes 85Engine 73Driver assistance 61Lights 45Body 44Acceleration 39Steering 35Fuel system 22Transmission 22Seats 13Wheels 10Tires 8Locks 6
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