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2009 Hyundai Elantra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 254 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the steering (52% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 14th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2009 Hyundai Elantra problems
Steering
133 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, column, electric power assist system.
As I was driving the vehicle the power steering stopped working making it very difficult to maneuver vehicle. I took it to dealer and they said it was either a software update needed or if that doesn't work the steering column.will need to be replaced..the software update was installed and appeared to work.…
On my way to work on august 8, 2013, I was on the freeway in the early morning rush hour traffic driving approximately 50 MPH when my power steering went complete out and the eps light came. I took the vehicle to the Hyundai dealership and after they inspected the vehicle, they indicated that it was a known issue and…
Air bags
42 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side seat sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Airbag warning light on the dash came on, was reset, and came back on constantly and reported to likely not work properly. It's expected to cost almost $2000 to replace. This began to happen only when I was driving and now is constant. Now it's essentially unsafe for anyone to sit in my front passenger seat. In…
Brakes
27 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Traveling on interstate, using cruise control (as I had the day previously and for approx 150 miles this day) attempted to stop vehicle due to vehicles slowing down in front of me. Could not get out of cruise control - in fact, the vehicle accelerated -- and brakes did not work. Fortunately, I was in the right lane…
The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the brakes malfunctioned. The contact swerved into the shoulder lane, turned off the cruise control, and engaged the emergency handbrake. The contact stated that the vehicle skidded and crashed into a light pole, and…
Electrical
24 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.
On 09/17/2018 I woke up around 5 am to find the Elantra fully engulfed in flames in the front end. It wasn't running, nothing left on, it had not been run for 4 hours so the engine should have been cold. No drivability problems before. Police and fire department responded, put the fire out and stated that they saw…
Panic alarm engages on its own (while parked) in driveway or work parking lot. Checked all doors, hood, trunk to ensure they were closed. Has not happened while car is in motion. When using key fob(manuf supplied) problem still persist. Press lock dr button(30-40 min later) alarm sounds,press unlock button(40-60 min…
Speed control
18 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 60 MPH without warning. The contact had to coast onto the road shoulder and restart the engine to regain normal functions. The failure was recurring. The dealer advised the contact that the…
This has happened to me 2 times, upon driving the car it randomly accelerates all on its own. Its as if someone is putting the pedal to the metal and trying to brake at the same time.. Slamming on the brakes only slows it down but not enough then I proceed to pull the emergency brake all the way which only assits a…
Engine
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles.
Receive service campaign notification to apply rust-proofing materials to underbody to arrest the corrosion process. Took car to local Hyundai dealer for rust-proofing and was informed that the oil pan is rusted and needs replaced at a cost to me over $600 - I have written estimate from Hyundai dealer. Informed that…
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that after the vehicle was exited and parked in the owners garage, a fire erupted under the hood of the vehicle. A neighbor alerted the contact, the fire department extinguished the flames and provided an inspection report. A dealer had not diagnosed the…
Body and structure
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Airbag warning light on the dash came on, was reset, and came back on constantly and reported to likely not work properly. It's expected to cost almost $2000 to replace. This began to happen only when I was driving and now is constant. Now it's essentially unsafe for anyone to sit in my front passenger seat. In…
On 09/17/2018 I woke up around 5 am to find the Elantra fully engulfed in flames in the front end. It wasn't running, nothing left on, it had not been run for 4 hours so the engine should have been cold. No drivability problems before. Police and fire department responded, put the fire out and stated that they saw…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 4%While driving, the air circulation system turns off automatically even when it is turned on and then after a while it turns back on again on its own. Again while driving, when the air circulation is turned off, it turns on sporadically and turns back off again. So far this has been happening only for a short duration…
Was driving home on interstate and all of sudden all my dash lights came on without warning, car died. Pulled over and parked it . Didn't overheat or anything. I'm confused why now my car won't start . Or attempt to turn over . Help!!
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) of the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated october 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (etc) system on certain kia vehicles resulting in the opening of dp21-003. Accordingly, model year (my) 2005-2016 kia optima/k5, my 2006-2015 kia sorento, my 2007-2016 hyundai elantra, my 2007-2016 hyundai santa fe, my 2006-2015 hyundai sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a vehicle owner questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (odi) number 11439675.on november 12, 2021, odi opened defec
Questions about the 2009 Hyundai Elantra
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (133 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); air bags (42 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles); brakes (27 complaints, typically around 46,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 4, 2020 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Hyundai Elantra?
- It is 14th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints, with 254 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.