HyundaiSonata2006Overview/hyundai/sonata/2006/base/

2006 Hyundai Sonata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Sonata.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Defined as a passenger car requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API engine oil, the 2006 Hyundai Sonata carries a historical record of 1047 total owner complaints and 11 recalls with Air Bags listed as the top complaint area. This model year exists within a lineage spanning 1990 to 2026 that ranges from a low of 2 complaints in 2026 to a high of 3368 in 2011, placing the 2006 variant firmly between the model's best and worst recorded periods. For researchers, this positioning indicates a reliability profile that avoids the peak complaint volumes of 2011 while highlighting specific safety concerns distinct from the model's extremes.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size215-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat2550025001

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3254 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sonata of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2006 LX V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006LX V6 3.3L V66.60 sec15.30 sec235 hpFWD
2006GLS V6 3.3L V66.80 sec15.20 sec235 hpFWD
2006LX V6 3.3L V67.00 sec15.50 sec235 hpFWD
2006LX V6 3.3L V67.30 sec15.60 sec235 hpFWD
2009SE V6 3.3L V66.90 sec15.30 sec249 hpFWD
2009SE 2.4L I-48.70 sec16.70 sec175 hpFWD
2009Limited 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.80 sec175 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.5
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7-9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolt 11-14 ft-lbs, nut: 23-30 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM8 nut: 18-22 ft-lbs, M10 nut: 25-30 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-206 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.26 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.73-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature179 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50.0-51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50.0-51.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle45-55 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts8–9 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9216 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Hyundai Sonata sits at a notable inflection point in the federal record, posting 1,047 complaints, 11 recalls, and 5 investigations—roughly a six-fold jump in complaints versus the 165 logged for 2005, and the highest mid-2000s figure in the dataset. This spike coincides with the launch of a new generation, and elevated activity persists into 2007 (696 complaints, 7 recalls, 5 investigations) before easing through 2008-2010 (425, 460, and 345 complaints respectively), indicating 2006 is the worst year within its immediate three-model-year arc. Air bags dominate the complaint profile at 307 filings—more than double the next category (Visibility at 144)—though the data does not specify a root cause for this concentration. With 43 crash-related and 9 fire-related complaints also on file, a prospective buyer should verify that all 11 recalls and 5 investigations have been fully remediated before purchase. The takeaway: 2006 is the riskiest year in its generation cluster and only worth considering with documented completion of the air bag and recall work.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
87
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,047
Owner complaints
43 involved a crash · 9 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,047 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags307
Visibility144
Air Bags,Seat Belts62
Suspension40
Seat Belts24
Electrical System24
Visibility/Wiper24
Service Brakes, Hydraulic23

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V122000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 15/04/2009

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… 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.

18V026000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipReported 09/01/2018

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short . Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 87 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonata. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Sonata take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Sonata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.