VehicleVerdict

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring sits mid-pack among Elantra Touring years: 48 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 35, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (11), airbags (8), and electrical system (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

48

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Elantra Touring years?

Elantra Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted95 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 48 complaints2010: 95 complaints2011: 41 complaints2012: 28 complaints2013: 19 complaints
Elantra Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra Touring years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1123%
Airbags817%
Electrical System510%
Tires & Wheels48%
Speed Control36%
Brakes36%
Transmission24%
Fuel System24%
Lighting24%
Other24%
Body & Structure24%
Suspension24%
Seats12%
Engine12%

Does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring have recalls?

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

20V061000BrakesFebruary 4, 2020 · 476,111 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence

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.

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 charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

15V100000SteeringFebruary 23, 2015 · 204,768 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.

Consequence

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.

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.

“WHEN GOING AROUND CURVES MORE THAN 35 MPH THE CAR WILL START DECELERATING (AS IF IT'S BRAKING ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ME ENGAGING THE BRAKING SYSTEM)AND THE ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH. ALSO THE EXHAUST MAKES A POPPING NOISE AFTER ENGINE IS SHUT OFF WHICH CAUSE A POWERTRAIN ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 3, 2018

“AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON, INDICATING A FAILURE. ON FURTHER DISCOVERY, IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE REFERENCED MODEL FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR TO FAIL. THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WHEN NOT, CAUSING AN AIRBAG FAULT AND POSSIBLY FAILING TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 22, 2015

“WHEN GOING AROUND CURVES MORE THAN 35 MPH THE CAR WILL START DECELERATING (AS IF IT'S BRAKING ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ME ENGAGING THE BRAKING SYSTEM)AND THE ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH. ALSO THE EXHAUST MAKES A POPPING NOISE AFTER ENGINE IS SHUT OFF WHICH CAUSE A POWERTRAIN ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 3, 2018

“NEXEN N5000 SERIES TIRES. I HAD TWO WITH SIDE BUBBLES AND TWO THAT THE TREADS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE TIRES. IT LOOKS LIKE RETREADS. ONE TIRE WAS READY TO SEPARATE AT ANY MOMENT. I HAVE PICTURES OF ALL THE TIRES AND A DOCUMENT FROM THE AUTO REPAIR PLACE. LUCKILY, WE COULD THIS IN TIME BEFORE MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 13, 2017

“I HAVE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING GEARS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW YEARS. I'LL TRY TO TAKE OFF AND IT FEELS LIKE IT GETS STUCK BETWEEN THE LOWER GEARS. IT CAUSES THE CAR AND OCCUPANTS TO GET JERKED AROUND STRONGLY. A FEW TIMES IT HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO PROCEED THROUGH AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 15, 2011

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring — common questions

Is the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra Touring: 48 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2009 Elantra Touring problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (11 complaints), airbags (8 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints).

Does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Elantra Touring years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra Touring years to avoid are 2010. The cleanest record among Elantra Touring years belongs to 2008.

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.