I recently purchased a used 2006 Sonata LX with the factory 6 CD changer. FM reception seems OK but AM is the worstI have had in any car.

Is this typical? Is it because of the in-rear-window antenna?

Has anyone replaced the antenna with a better one or added a signal booster?

Thanks,

 

You don't have any after-market window tint, do you? Those are known to cause trouble...

Otherwise, yes, there have been some reports from Sonata owners about poor AM reception. I find mine OK. Is your car still under warranty? If so ask the dealer, there have been reports of loose connection between antenna and the antenna module, located near the antenna glass pattern (C pillar of car).

Somebody also suggested to "push the defroster button...instantly I get a better reception. I think it's the electricity in the defroster boosting the signal in the window antenna...Whatever, it works!"

 

Car and Driver did a 40,000 mile test on the '06 Sonata. They had zero repairs during that time, but one of the only complaints they wrote up was poor AM radio reception.

 

Thanks for the replies. No window tint.

Yes it has 55K on it so it is under warranty.

I have not had to deal with a Hyundai dealer yet. Would they be easy with replacing a radio in a situation like this?

 

If your dealer is a super hero, maybe.... Most dealers are just deaf and blind....

But, seriously,if you happen to deal with a good guy, he may be helpful, testing the connections between the antenna, the moduleand the radio...

 

As long asI am heading my car in the direction of the station it is fine, if I turn around I lose it 100%.

 

That seems backwards since theantenna is in the rear window it seems like it would be better headed away from the station.
Mine does not seem to make a difference which direction I am heading.
FM reception is much better than AM

 

I purchased a new Santa Fe in January 2016. The radio loses AM reception about 50km out of town. I have driven many other vehicles that have not had this problem so I know it is not normal. I am not sure if it only my car or is a general problem with this model.

Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution?

I am extremely unhappy with the response I have had to date from the car dealership. I do a large amount of country travel and use the radio a lot.