RoadVitals

2006 Hyundai Elantra Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
155
Latest Aug 5, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
28

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Hyundai Elantra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

56
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My son was driving our 2006 Hyundai Elantra and crashed into the end of a guardrail. The air bag did not deploy. The car was declared a total loss by the insurance company. I am concerned that the airbag did not deploy with the severity of the crash. I have uploaded three pictures of the car and one of the end of the guardrail that was impacted. The estimate for speed at impact was 35 mph. The weather was sunny, dry and above 80 degrees. about 6:30PM Eastern time.

NHTSA ID 11427933 · filed Aug 5, 2021

I NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON NEAR MY DASHBOARD WHERE ARE THE SPEEDOMETER IS AND WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY CAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS OFF I DON'T BELIEVE MY SENSORS WORK FOR MY AIRBAGS

NHTSA ID 11374158 · filed Nov 11, 2020
All 56 reports naming airbags

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

35
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BUT MY FUSES ARE NOT BLOWN.

NHTSA ID 11364051 · filed Oct 13, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POLICE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,676.

NHTSA ID 11241761 · filed Aug 5, 2019
All 35 reports naming exterior lighting

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

34
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BUT MY FUSES ARE NOT BLOWN.

NHTSA ID 11364051 · filed Oct 13, 2020

AIR BAG LIGHT ON BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER CAR OFF AND FOOT NOT PUSHING THEM ON

NHTSA ID 11278401 · filed Nov 6, 2019
All 34 reports naming brakes

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER OWNING TWO '06 ELANTRAS, I'VE COME TO REALIZE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WHEN THE TURNER INDICATOR IS ENGAGED, THE REST OF THE DASHBOARD HAS A TENDENCY TO SHORT OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL.

NHTSA ID 11307675 · filed Feb 7, 2020

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE CENTER HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE I'VE GOTTEN THE CAR, THE LIGHT NEVER USED TO GO OFF WHEN AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAGS WERE DISABLED. NOW THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND DOES NOT EVER GO OFF, MEANING ALL AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. IT CAME ON UPON STARTING UP MY VEHICLE AND HAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, BUT IS NOT REPORTED PROPERLY VIA NHTSA, INSTEAD MANY COMPLAINTS ARE MADE VIA FORUMS. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON, TURNING THE WHEEL AND USING THE BLINKER CAUSES ALL DASH LIGHTS AS WELL AS MY HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO FLICKER BRIEFLY. REAR WINDOWS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE ROLLED DOWN VIA THE MAIN CONTROL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, ONLY CAN BE ROLLED UP.

NHTSA ID 11129314 · filed Sep 13, 2018
All 16 reports naming electrical

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING ROUGH IDLE DESPITE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER AND CLEAN THROTTLE BODY. REMOVED AND CLEANED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WITH THROTTLE BODY CLEANER, WHICH SMOOTHED OUT ROUGH IDLE BUT STUCK THROTTLE AT HIGH AND INCREASING RPM (GETTING LOUDER) IN PARK GEAR WHEN PARKING AFTER DRIVING. SUSPECTED AND REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT IT WAS ELECTRONIC, NOT SPRING ACTIVATED, AND CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE SAME HIGH RPMS BEFORE PARKING. WAS DRIVING ON 50 MPH HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS (RT. 50 IN VIRGINIA), CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND COULD NOT STOP CAR---RPMS INCREASED WHILE IN DRIVE GEAR DESPITE BRAKES BEING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. WOULD HAVE RUN THROUGH RED LIGHT AT HIGH SPEED IF HAD NOT SHUT OFF ENGINE BEFORE INTERSECTION. REPLACED WITH NEW AFTERMARKET IAC (IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE) AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE.

NHTSA ID 10760592 · filed Aug 31, 2015

ON THIS DATE I EXPERIENCED THE 4TH OF 5 INCIDENCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN THE 8 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING IN DAYTONA BEACH APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THERE WAS A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE ACCELERATION REVVED THE ENGINE. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE KEY TO STOP THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT AS HAD BEEN SUGGESTED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THE LAST TIME I HAD TAKEN IT IN FOR THIS ISSUE. I DROVE IT HOME SAFELY, BUT THE NEXT MORNING IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP, AGAIN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD ALMOST HITTING A BMW. I AGAIN DROVE IT HOME SAFELY, PARKED IT AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. I MADE ARRANGEMENT TO TAKE IT IN ON JULY 7TH TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN. OUT OF FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY KEPT IT FOR 2 DAYS, DROVE IT 240 MILES AND ONCE AGAIN COULD FIND NO ISSUE. THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY OUT OF FEAR OF KILLING SOMEONE OR DAMAGING PROPERTY. WHEN I TOLD THEM I HAD FOUND MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING WITH HYUNDAIS ONLINE, THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A THING. ONE ARTICLE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN 2012. WHILE I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS ONE, AND WOULD NOT WANT TO SELL IT TO ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES I HAVE EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA ID 10618543 · filed Jul 30, 2014
All 12 reports naming driver assistance

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WENT FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD MY FRONT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS UNDER RECALL, BUT UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS SAME PART FOR OTHER YEARS OF THIS CAR BUT APPARANTLY THE 2006 WAS NOT INCLUDED, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME ISSUES, AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR OTHER REPAIRS UNDER THE PRETENSE THAT THE SUB FRAME WOULD BE FIXED BY A DEALERSHIP FOR FREE DUE TO THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID 11414951 · filed May 3, 2021

EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE LOWER ENGINE SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER: THE SUBFRAME HAS ROTTED LOOSE AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS RATTLE THE SUBFRAME FROM WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED. THIS ELANTRA WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ONLY HAS 44000 MILES. THE CONTROL ARMS WILL TEAR AWAY FROM THE LOOSE SUBFRAME AND CAUSE A LOOS OF CONTROL ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 11412757 · filed Apr 18, 2021
All 8 reports naming body & structure

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER DOOR EXPLODED, STRUCK HER ON THE HEAD, AND LANDED ON HER LAP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID 10776921 · filed Sep 25, 2015

I READ THE STRUCTURE REPORT ABOUT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODING AND WANT IT ON RECORD THAT STARTING THE PAST WEEK OR SO, I HEAR VERY LOUD POPS THAT I THINK ARE THE SUN ROOF OR THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE CAR. THE MOULDING ON THE RIGHT DRIVERS SIDE ALONG THE ROOF EDGE WILL NOT STAY LOCKED DOWN EITHER, I KEEP WAITING FOR THE SUN ROOF GLASS TO SHATTER ALL OVER ME, IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HOT HERE BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT IS ALARMING, I TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE ALONE QUITE OFTEN AND WORRY ABOUT THIS NOW THAT I READ ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE. THE DEALER IS BY MY WORK SO I THINK I WILL DROP IT OFF SO THAT IT IS ON THEIR RECORDS TOO IF THIS DOES EXPLODE ON ME AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS ANOTHER 2006 ISSUE, IF THE ELANTRA I BOUGHT IN 2000 WAS LIKE THIS ONE, I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT ANOTHER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10465744 · filed Jul 15, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT HAS TO DO WITH THE B1448 OC SENSOR MAT DEFECT, I HAVE AN AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND HAVE USED A SCAN TOOL AND GOT THE CODE FOR THE B1448 OC SENSOR MAT DEFECT. THIS ISSUE WAS GIVEN A RECALL FOR THE HYUNDAI SONATA BUT I HAVE A HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND THERE IS NO RECALL BUT MY CAR FACES THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE READ THAT DEALERS TRY TO CHARGE AS MUCH AS $1,000 TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 11124060 · filed Sep 2, 2018

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 PASSENGERS RIDING IN THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10575453 · filed Mar 28, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OUR CAR BLEW A HEAD GASKET AND NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. IT IS, ESSENTIALLY, TOTALED. IT ONLY HAD 86,000 MILES ON IT AND WE HAD PLANNED ON DRIVING IT FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN A PARKING GARAGE ALL DAY. IT WAS ONLY 80 DEGREES OUTSIDE. WITHIN 10 MILES OF DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN ANOTHER 5 MILES THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND BLEW A HEAD GASKET. THIS WAS NORMAL, FLAT, FREEWAY DRIVING. FORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS DRIVING, HAD MADE HIS WAY TO THE RIGHT LANE WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS ABLE TO GET SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN TO OTHERS, AND MAY HAVE MORE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS. I'M NOT AWARE OF A RECALL BEING OUT ON THIS, BUT PERHAPS THERE SHOULD BE.

NHTSA ID 10913658 · filed Oct 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AT LEAST THREE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,080.

NHTSA ID 10459172 · filed May 21, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER HAD BECAME STUCK INJURING THE CONTACTS HAND IN THE PROCESS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79000.

NHTSA ID 10348714 · filed Aug 11, 2010

ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS 4CYL ENGINE THERE IS A ISSUE WHICH I HAVE BROUGHT UP 3 TIMES NOW TO HYUNDAI & ALL THEY KEEP DOING IS RESETTING THE COMPUTER & TRANS RETRAIN RESET. THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS AT A STEADY SPEED OFF 25-30 MILES HOUR I GET A VERY BAD BUCKING & JERKING EFFECT THE LOSS OF POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE BUCKING & JERKING HAPPENS THAT THE CAR LOOSES POWER SOME MUCH SO IT DOESN'T WANT TO MOVE FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP UP ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN COMING OFF A OFF RAMP MERGING INTO THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC TWO TIMES THE LAST TIME WAS TODAY THIS ALL HAPPENED AGAIN & I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO MOVE FAST ENOUGH TO FLOW WITH THE REGULAR TRAFFIC THAT I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A 18 WHEELER TRUCK TODAY. THIS PROBLEM IS MAKING THE CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVE & I AM AFRAID IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT LIKE HYUNDAI WANTS ME TO DO IN THIS CONDITION TO TRY TO BRING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS I MIGHT GET HIT BY SOMEONE & POSSIBLE KILLED. THIS ISSUE IS A SERIOUS OPERATING CONDITION THAT WARRANTS SOMEONE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM & THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FROM OTHER HYUNDAI ELANTRA OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR OR NEWER I HAVE READ ONLINE & HYUNDAI HASN'T ADDRESSED IT WELL ENOUGH OR COME UP WITH A FIX AS OF YET. TELLING A CUSTOMER TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION IS NOT SAFE JUST SOME THE MECHANICS CAN GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH A CODE TO GO ON. THIS CAR ALMOST ALWAYS FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO LOSS TOTAL ENGINE POWER & JUST CUT OUT ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING SOMEWHERE & I WILL GET HIT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10301666 · filed Jan 21, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED UNCONTROLLABLY AND WAS PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ROAD SALT RUSTED THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ISSUED A CLAIM NUMBER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID 10905008 · filed Sep 9, 2016

THE REAR CROSS MEMBER THAT SUPPORTS THE REAR WHEELS ON THE 2006 ELANTRA WE OWN IS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT THE NUTSERTS HAVE FALLEN AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE RESULTING FREEPLAY IN THE REAR WHEELS CAUSED THE CAR TO FISHTAIL ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. AFTER NO HELP FROM HYUNDAI REGIONAL MANAGER AND CORPORATE OFFICE, WE RESEARCHED THIS CONDITION ONLINE. SEEMS THAT 2000-2003 ELANTRAS AND SEVERAL YEARS OF THE SONATA MODELS HAVE THIS VERY SAME DEFECT. OUR YEAR AND MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN SEVERE FRAME ROT RECALLS, BUT IT SHOULD BE. BASED ON OUR RESEARCH, THESE PARTS RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND GENERALLY START ON THE RIGHT SIDE. OURS IS SO CRUMBLED, IT HAS ROTTED IN HALF. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THIS CAR MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR EITHER A RECALL OR A BUYBACK. I'M QUOTING THIS FROM THE SITE: "CRITICAL VEHICLE COMPONENTS THAT BREAK, FALL APART OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING POTENTIAL LOSS OD VEHICLE CONTROL OR INJURY TO PERSONS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE." MY WIFE WAS LUCKY SHE WASN'T GOING 65 ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. JUDGING BY THE EXISTING CLASS ACTION SUITS WE'VE SEEN ONLINE AGAINST HYUNDAI FOR THIS VERY SAME RUST PROBLEM IN OTHER MODEL YEARS, IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THEY ARE USING THE SAME REAR WHEELBASE SUPPORT DESIGN AND FLAWED STEEL COMPONENTS IN ALL THEIR MID-SIZED SEDANS.

NHTSA ID 10898370 · filed Aug 24, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 55MPH, THE CAR JERKED TO THE SIDE BY ITSELF. I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE JERK WITH THE WHEEL, AT WHICH POINT I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. IT APPEARED THAT THE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR. THE CAR JERKED AGAIN, I WAS ONCE AGAIN UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE WHEEL ITSELF COULD TURN FREELY, BUT THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL. THE CAR JERKED AGAIN, ULTIMATELY SPINNING OUT AND CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN HEADFIRST. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, BUT I WAS LUCKILY UNINJURED EXCEPT FOR SOME SCRAPES, BRUISES, AND WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN A MILD CONCUSSION. THE CAR HAD BEHAVED ODDLY TWICE BEFORE: ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE CRASH, THE CAR HAD JERKED TO THE SIDE SIMILARLY, AT A SOMEWHAT LOWER SPEED (ABOUT 45 MPH). I DISMISSED THE INCIDENT AS HUMAN ERROR, OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD THAT I HADN'T SEEN, EVEN THOUGH IT FELT VERY STRANGE AND UNLIKE ANYTHING I'D EXPERIENCED BEFORE. I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE JERK AND FORGOT ABOUT IT. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE CRASH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND REMAINED ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, BUT THEN WENT OFF. DURING THAT 30 MINUTES, I WAS STOPPED AT SEVERAL STOP SIGNS. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM THE STOP SIGN, I HAD TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR MUCH HARDER THAN NORMAL TO EVEN ACHIEVE A LOW SPEED. THIS HAPPENED 2-3 TIMES, HOWEVER, THEN THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING LIKE NORMAL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF, SO I DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THESE INCIDENTS MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID 10365381 · filed Nov 11, 2010

THE STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING, AFTER 2 YEARS AND 54,000 MILES. WE BOUGHT OUR 2006 HYUNDAI, IN JULY OF 2007. THE PEELING BEGAN AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES AND IS STEADILY GETTING WORSE. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TURN SMOOTHLY, AS THE PART OF THE RUBBER IS MISSING AND YOUR HANDS CANNOT GRIP THE WHEEL PROPERLY. HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL, AS THEY SAID THIS WAS CAUSED BY USING CHEMICALS SUCH AS ARMORALL ON THE WHEEL. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THEY HAVE USED POOR QUALITY WHEEL COVERING MATERIAL THAT CANNOT WITHSTAND EVERY DAY USE. EVERYONE USES ARMORALL TO SHINE UP THEIR CAR. NOW, WE ARE PUTTING OURSELVES AT PERSONAL SAFETY RISK, AS THE WHEEL CANNOT BE GRIPPED PROPERLY, AS IT IS PEELING AWAY ON ONE PART. *TR

NHTSA ID 10244513 · filed Oct 6, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A CRASH WAS PREVENTED DUE TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID 10670603 · filed Jan 7, 2015

I HAVE NOTICED EVER SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR EVERYTIME, I HAVE ALSO READ ONLINE THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM , SO WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, HYUNDAI THEMSELVES HAVE ALREADY ADMITTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS A WEAK SYNCRO THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE TRANSMISSION CEASING AND SOMEONE POSSIBLY BEING KILLED, SO WHY NO RECALL, DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? *TR

NHTSA ID 10618423 · filed Aug 2, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIR BAG LIGHT ON / EMMISIONS AIR BAG ALL SENORS WERE SWAPPED AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD THE CUSHION SHOULD BE REPLACED SINCE THE SENSOR SWAP DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. $1500 EMISSIONS/ PUMPING GAS FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. GAS PUMP KICKS OUT AFTER 2-3 SECONDS WHEN PUTTING IN GAS. NOW I'M TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE CHARCOAL CANISTER, CANISTER CLOSE VALVE, PURGE CONTROL VALVE, AND VENT VALVE. IF I DON'T I EVENTUALLY WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT GAS IN THE TANK. $1,100 THEY ARE BOTH SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. THESE ARE SIMPLE CONSUMABLE PIECES LIKE FLUIDS, VALUES, HOSES OR FILTERS.

NHTSA ID 10915933 · filed Oct 13, 2016

I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS IS THE 16TH TIME AS OF 12/06/2011. THE PROBLEM STARTED OFF WITH THE CAR STALLING WHEN I CAME TO A STOP THEN, IT PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE WHERE THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR HAS HAD THE CANISTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED MANY TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. I DO HAVE COPIES OF ALL OF THE WORK ORDERS. THIS IS A LIST OF THE EVENTS: 1. 12/01/2007 FOR STALLING. THIS VISIT THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WAS A "HARD START" AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. 2. 05/09/2008 FOR STALLING. REPLACED SENSOR ASSY-AIR FLOW 3. 05/29/2008 FOR STALLING. REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE AND CANISTER. 4. 06/10/2009 FOR STALLING. THEY STATED THE CANISTER AND CAR WAS FINE. 5. 09/17/2009 FOR STALLING. REPLACED SPEEDOMETER ASSY AND BATTERY. 6. 12/16/2009 FOR STALLING. THEY DROVE 103 MILES AND STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS. 7. 01/25/2010 FOR STALLING AND THEY REPLACED THE CANISTER. 8. 05/10/2010 FOR STALLING. REPLACED CANISTER ASSY. 9. 09/10/2010 FOR STALLING. THEY STATED NO PROBLEMS 10. I PICKED UP MY CAR ON 09/11/2010 TO HAVE IT STALL ON MY WAY OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP. REPLACED CANISTER ASSY. 11. 11/30/2010 FOR STALLING AND FAILURE OF THE ABS UNIT. NO PROBLEM FOUND WITH STALLING. REPLACED ABS UNIT 12. THIS WAS ANOTHER VISIT WHERE I PICKED MY CAR UP ON 12/07 AND BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY, IT STALLED AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY STATED NO PROBLEM FOUND. 13. 01/18/2011 FOR STALLING. REPLACED EVAP HOSE. 14. I PICKED UP MY CAR ON 01/19/2011 IT STALLED ON THE WAY OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED CANISTER ASSY. 15. 01/25/2011 FOR STALLING AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDER MODULE. 16. AS YOU CAN SEE, I HAVE BEEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO FIX THE CANISTER ASSY, ON THIS PAST VISIT ON 12/06/2011. I STILL HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR FIXED AS I AM ARGUING WITH HYUNDAI AS TO WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. *KB

NHTSA ID 10441743 · filed Dec 30, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE REAR CROSS MEMBER THAT SUPPORTS THE REAR WHEELS ON THE 2006 ELANTRA WE OWN IS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT THE NUTSERTS HAVE FALLEN AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE RESULTING FREEPLAY IN THE REAR WHEELS CAUSED THE CAR TO FISHTAIL ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. AFTER NO HELP FROM HYUNDAI REGIONAL MANAGER AND CORPORATE OFFICE, WE RESEARCHED THIS CONDITION ONLINE. SEEMS THAT 2000-2003 ELANTRAS AND SEVERAL YEARS OF THE SONATA MODELS HAVE THIS VERY SAME DEFECT. OUR YEAR AND MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN SEVERE FRAME ROT RECALLS, BUT IT SHOULD BE. BASED ON OUR RESEARCH, THESE PARTS RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND GENERALLY START ON THE RIGHT SIDE. OURS IS SO CRUMBLED, IT HAS ROTTED IN HALF. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THIS CAR MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR EITHER A RECALL OR A BUYBACK. I'M QUOTING THIS FROM THE SITE: "CRITICAL VEHICLE COMPONENTS THAT BREAK, FALL APART OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING POTENTIAL LOSS OD VEHICLE CONTROL OR INJURY TO PERSONS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE." MY WIFE WAS LUCKY SHE WASN'T GOING 65 ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. JUDGING BY THE EXISTING CLASS ACTION SUITS WE'VE SEEN ONLINE AGAINST HYUNDAI FOR THIS VERY SAME RUST PROBLEM IN OTHER MODEL YEARS, IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THEY ARE USING THE SAME REAR WHEELBASE SUPPORT DESIGN AND FLAWED STEEL COMPONENTS IN ALL THEIR MID-SIZED SEDANS.

NHTSA ID 10898370 · filed Aug 24, 2016

ON APRIL 17 2010 I TOOK THREE PHOTOS OF A FLIPPED OVER 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON ROUTE 3 IN CLIFTON NJ. THE FLIPPED CAR LOOKED UNUSUAL, AND COULD INDICATE AN UNSAFE CONDITION. OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED, BUT NO FATALITIES. THE PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS NOT MY CAR. YOU SHOULD HAVE A METHOD TO UPLOAD PICTURES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10326220 · filed Apr 18, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. MY VEHICLE SPEED WAS ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND UPON IMPACT WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED CAUSED MY BODY TO JOLT FORWARD AND STRIKE MY STEERING WHEEL. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT WHICH DID NOT LOCK AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. LATER ON IN THE AFTERNOON I HAD WENT TO THE ER FOR CHEST PAIN, NECK AND BACK PAIN AS WELL AS INJURING MY RIGHT HAND. *NM

NHTSA ID 10171689 · filed Oct 24, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .