MYRModel Year Report

2006 Hyundai Elantra

▲ Better than typical
2006 Hyundai Elantra
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:47:43.139Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Elantra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 29 complaints 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 76 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1995 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2000 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2005 2006: 155 complaints 2006 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 247 complaints 2010: 378 complaints 2010 2011: 431 complaints 2012: 649 complaints 2013: 1307 complaints 2014: 379 complaints 2015: 258 complaints 2015 2016: 286 complaints 2017: 759 complaints 2018: 274 complaints 2019: 242 complaints 2020: 240 complaints 2020 2021: 128 complaints 2022: 95 complaints 2023: 90 complaints 2024: 52 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 0 complaints 2026
2006: 155 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199476
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009247
2010378
2011431
2012649
20131307
2014379
2015258
2016286
2017759
2018274
2019242
2020240
2021128
202295
202390
202452
202520
20260

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 28%

28% of complaints: air bags — 44 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210805

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT AND SMOKE WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS AND INJURIES TO THE EYES, CHEST, AND CHIN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191018

I REAR-ENDED SOMEONE AT AROUND 30-35 MPH. THE VEHICLE I HIT WAS STATIONARY. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS LEFT ON. NO ONE WAS INJURED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190425

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 21%

21% of complaints: exterior lighting — 33 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 23 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 14 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130123

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20090902 — exterior lighting

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 P

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.

Campaign 09V280000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09V280000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2017 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Hyundai Elantra is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Hyundai Elantra?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Hyundai Elantra have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.