VehicleVerdict

2009 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2009 Hyundai Accent sits mid-pack among Accent years: 128 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 90, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (27), visibility & wipers (18), and brakes (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

128

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted218 complaints1991: 2 complaints1993: 1 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 142 complaints1997: 82 complaints1998: 72 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 148 complaints2002: 163 complaints2003: 45 complaints2004: 40 complaints2005: 76 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 135 complaints2009: 128 complaints2010: 119 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 218 complaints2013: 206 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 160 complaints2017: 97 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 17 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 32 complaints
Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2721%
Visibility & Wipers1814%
Brakes1512%
Lighting129%
Electrical System97%
Transmission97%
Engine86%
Other65%
Body & Structure54%
Suspension54%
Fuel System43%
Speed Control43%
Steering22%
Seats22%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2009 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V566000LightingSeptember 8, 2015 · 99,500 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position.

Consequence

Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign131. Hyundai's number for this recall is 131. This recall is an expansion of 13V-113.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY DAUGHTER, [XXX] , WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT WHERE SHE REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR HEAD ON GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AN HOUR' WHICH PROBABLY TOTALED HER CAR AND NO AIRBAGS DELPOYED NOT EVEN THE FRONT ONES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 20, 2010 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH DURING THE NIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO A LANE WHEN SUDDENLY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 16, 2013 · crash

“THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS FOUND THAT I HAD A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. HYUNDAI CLAIMS THAT MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR FOR THE BRAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 4, 2015

“THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALL FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. MY DAUGHTER WAS FOLLOWING ME AND NOTICED THEY WEREN'T WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT IS OK, SO THE NEXT COMPONENT IS THE SWITCH. I RESEARCHED PROBLEMS WITH MY MODEL AND NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL YEAR FOR THE SAME MODEL CAR FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 14, 2012

“THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALL FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. MY DAUGHTER WAS FOLLOWING ME AND NOTICED THEY WEREN'T WORKING. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT IS OK, SO THE NEXT COMPONENT IS THE SWITCH. I RESEARCHED PROBLEMS WITH MY MODEL AND NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL YEAR FOR THE SAME MODEL CAR FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 14, 2012

2009 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 2009 Hyundai Accent reliable?

It is close to typical for the Accent: 128 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2009 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (27 complaints), visibility & wipers (18 complaints), brakes (15 complaints).

Does the 2009 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Accent years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accent years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 1995, 2002, 2016, 2001, 1996, 2008, 2015, 2014. The cleanest record among Accent years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.