2009 Hyundai Sonata problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 612 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Sonata year — the 2009 model ranks #10 of 41 Sonata years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 40 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (115), brakes (100), and engine (62), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

612

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Sonata years?

Sonata NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sonata years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	115	19%	▲ up
Brakes	100	16%	▲ up
Engine	62	10%	— flat
Other	52	8%	▲ up
Transmission	41	7%	▲ up
Body & Structure	41	7%	▲ up
Speed Control	31	5%	▲ up
Airbags	31	5%	▼ down
Suspension	26	4%	▲ up
Steering	26	4%	▲ up
Fuel System	23	4%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	20	3%	▼ down
Lighting	15	2%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	12	2%	▲ up
Seat Belts	8	1%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	6	1%	▲ up
Seats	3	0%	▼ down

Does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

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

13V354000SuspensionAugust 12, 2013 · 364,502 units

Defect

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.

Consequence

Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 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.

“THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY WARMING UP AND CAUGHT FIRE IT BURNED UP THE STARTER AND STARTER ASSEMBLY, THE BATTERY WIRE HARNESS AND THE MANIFOLD. ALL OF THIS HAS TO BE REPLACED BEFORE WE CAN ASSESS ANY OTHER DAMAGES OR RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. *TR”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 5, 2015 · fire

“MY ESC AND AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED AND MY BRAKES MAL-FUNCTIONS. RECALL CAMPAIGN 110 RECALLS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON SOME OF THESE CARS BUT NOT ON MY YEAR AND MODEL. I AM SUGGESTING THAT THE RECALL MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE 2009 SONATA SINCE THE SWITCHES SEEM TO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 1, 2013

“TAKATA RECALL. ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR. A DEER CAME OUT OF THE DITCH, MISSED THE DEER. MY DAUGHTER SWERVED INTO THE DITCH AND LAUNCHED OVER A GRAVEL ROAD AND DID A NOSE DIVE INTO A BEAN FIELD. CRASHING THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS TOTALED.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 20, 2019 · crash

“5/18/24 in the afternoon, driving the car on freeway. the car lost power. AC stopped. Heat and check engine lights came on. Pulled car to shoulder. Driverâs window was foggy. Smoke coming from front. Exited the car. Flames seen underneath front of car and passenger compartment. Smoke worsened and…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 18, 2024 · fire

“THE VEHICLE WAS AQUA PLANNING, THE DRIVER LOST A COMPLETE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS BOUNCING BETWEEN ROAD SIDES, LEFT AND RIGHT - 3 TIMES. THE CAR HIT THE GATE RAILS 3 TIMES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT AND THE SEAT BELTS APPEARED NOT TO BE LOCKED AT THE MOMENT OF ACCIDENT. AS A…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 30, 2013 · crash

2009 Hyundai Sonata — common questions

Is the 2009 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 612 complaints put the 2009 model at #10 of 41 Sonata years. It is one of the Sonata years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Sonata problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (115 complaints), brakes (100 complaints), engine (62 complaints).

Does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

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

Is the 2009 Hyundai Sonata under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2006, 2014, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2018, 2010, 2002, 2000. The cleanest record among Sonata years belongs to 1988.

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

How does 2009 compare to other Sonata years?

What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2009 Hyundai Sonata — common questions

Is the 2009 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

What are the most common 2009 Sonata problems?

Does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?

Is the 2009 Hyundai Sonata under NHTSA investigation?

Which Hyundai Sonata years should you avoid?

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