Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Hyundai Azera, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 33 | 18% |
| Exterior lighting | 32 | 17% |
| Air bags | 16 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 4% |
| Seats | 7 | 4% |
| Suspension | 6 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 3% |
| Engine | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
When driving, if you encounter even a small bump in the road, the car jumps as if it were a train jumping the tracks and getting back on track. If it's raining, it feels as though the vehicle is sliding across the road.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver's side wheel unexpectedly collapsed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that t
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The air bag light came on for the front passenger seat. I took it to Grayson Hyundai & they tried to get part #88840-3L500-J9 which is the latch right front buckle assembly. I was told there was no part available becau
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The vehicle has a random, chronic no start issue. Everything appears to be working normally, and you will turn the key with no crank. All the dashboard lights work, everything is as normal except it wont turn over. The d
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the anti-lock braking system malfunctioned then failed to respond. The ABS warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had illuminated and remained illuminated on the instrument panel for a year. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed but
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that on numerous occasions, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The contact was then referred by the dealer
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle rode over a slight bump in the roadway and the rear-end of the vehicle started swaying to the left and the right.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2006 Hyundai Azera. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 .
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: 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 charge. The recall beg
HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 4,085 REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2006-2008 SONATA AND AZERA VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ALIGNED PROPERLY AND FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DE
Risk: IMPROPER AIMING OF THE HEADLAMP MAY RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: HYUNDAI-KIA DEALERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR SUPPLY TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA. NONE OF THE HEADLAMPS WERE SOLD AS RETAIL. AS A RESULT, AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WILL NOT B
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois,
Risk: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyun
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 AZERA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2008. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR MAY SUSTAIN DAMAGE AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE SEAT BELT. IF THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING BEC
Risk: THE SEAT OCCUPANT IS AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY SHOULD THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Fix: HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
| Reliability raw | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 33 of them (18%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.