VehicleVerdict

2009 Hyundai Elantra steering problems

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra has 131 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 41% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

131

Steering complaints

41%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Elantra steering complaints by model year271 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 6 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 24 complaints2002: 16 complaints2003: 16 complaints2004: 5 complaints2005: 6 complaints2006: 3 complaints2007: 34 complaints2008: 55 complaints2009: 131 complaints2010: 195 complaints2011: 73 complaints2012: 88 complaints2013: 271 complaints2014: 28 complaints2015: 25 complaints2016: 19 complaints2017: 71 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 9 complaints2020: 19 complaints2021: 5 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 7 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Elantra steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra have?

NHTSA has 131 complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Elantra steering — 41% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra steering?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 15V100000.

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.