VehicleVerdict

2009 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra sits mid-pack among Elantra years: 316 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 214, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 29 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: steering issues account for 42% of all reports (131 of 316), far ahead of airbags at 42.

316

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

39

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

29

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Elantra years?

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering13141%
Airbags4213%
Electrical System3411%
Brakes258%
Speed Control186%
Other134%
Engine134%
Body & Structure113%
Transmission83%
Tires & Wheels62%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Lighting31%
Seat Belts21%
Suspension21%
Fuel System21%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

4 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.

11V143000AirbagsMarch 15, 2011 · 188,697 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ELANTRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2006, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2008. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A WEIGHT SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE RIGHT FRONTAL AIRBAG WHEN OCCUPANTS OF CERTAIN WEIGHTS OCCUPY THE SEAT. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT.

Consequence

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY IN CRASHES IN WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WEIGHT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTING TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I TRIED TO STEER OFF TO THE LEFT TO AVOID A CAR FROM HITTING ME FROM THE RIGHT. THIS LED TO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AND THE CAR SPINNING OUT. I TRIED TO GET CONTROL OF THE WHEEL BUT COULD NOT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAILING,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 9, 2019 · crash

I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION ON 7/30/10. THE CAR OF THE DRIVER WHO HIT ME HAD HER AIRBAGS DEPLOY, WHILE MINE DID NOT. THE IMPACT TO MY CAR WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT THE RADIATOR SUPPORT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BUMPER HEADLIGHT AND HOOD. I WAS GOING 20 - 25 MPH AND THE OTHER DIVER WAS DOING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 30, 2010 · crash

STARTED THE CAR AND MOTOR/ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. IT WAS THE MORNING OF 12/18/18. IT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY MOMS HOUSE (ON THE STREET).

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 18, 2018 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS SON HAD THE VEHICLE PARKED IN A GARAGE, HE SMELT SMOKE AS FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS SON WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH NO INJURIES BEFORE IT WAS ENGULFED IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 29, 2019 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 25, 2012 · crash

2009 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2009 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Elantra: 316 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2009 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (131 complaints), airbags (42 complaints), electrical system (34 complaints).

Does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Hyundai Elantra. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

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.