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2006 Hyundai TucsonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 135 owner complaints about the 2006 Hyundai Tucson, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year32% below the Tucson median · #14 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13530 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage32kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 7, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Hyundai Tucson has problems

135 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags3711
Electrical system162
Suspension131
Steering130
Structure131
Engine120
Vehicle speed control93
Engine and engine cooling90
Exterior lighting90
17 other systems589

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2006 Hyundai Tucson recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Brake lights: switch

Recall 13V-113 · Apr 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles

Risk. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 07V-197 · May 8, 2007 · 2,967 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 06V-445 · Nov 22, 2006 · 128,300 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Mileage at failure

When do air bags problems start?

32kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 30 air bags complaints. 83% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
11under 30k miles25under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2006 vs. every other Tucson year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tucson median. How we score

'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2006 Hyundai Tucson safety ratings

2006 Hyundai Tucson 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2006 Hyundai Tucson frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2006 Hyundai Tucson side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 4 stars (17.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2006 Hyundai Tucson, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILUREPE09003 · closed Apr 24, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-122
In owners' words

What Tucson owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, he noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with the air bag module needing to be replaced. The independent mechanic cleaned the…
Complaint 11419362 · Jun 2, 2021 · 100,000 miles
MY LIGHT INSIDE OF VEHICLE COMES ON AND STAY FOR A WHILE, THEN GOES OFF, THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER DO THE SAME.I WENT TO A DEALER, HE SAID TO FIX IT WOULD BE A CERTAIN AMONT, BUT I TOLD HIM NOT TO FIX IT CAUSE I DIDN' HAVE THE MONEY, SO HE CHARGED ME ABOUT $130.00 FOR CHECKING IT.
Complaint 11191643 · Mar 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK,…
Complaint 10980456 · Apr 25, 2017 · 158,000 miles

Own a 2006 Tucson?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.