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2009 Hyundai Sonata Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 460 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the brakes (21% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). It is 10th of 27 Sonata model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.

Complaints460
Recalls2
Crashes reported21
Fires reported11
Injuries reported26

Most common 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems

  1. Brakes

    97 complaints · 21%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.

    After having brake pads changed. Smelled burning smell with in a month and brake pads were worn down. Had pads changed again. Now, month later, smelled burning smell again like the pads are sticking. There is something wrong with these brakes that they are sticking like this under 50,000 miles.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 48,548 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after taking his vehicle to a certified dealer for regular service, they informed him that his rear brakes were worn due to the caliber sensor failing. When the caliber sensor failed, the wheels would lock up if not replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 52,000 miles
  2. Engine

    62 complaints · 14%

    Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.

    Takata recall. I was told that the electrical module is defective by autozone,. We were driving down the highway when all of a sudden the engine light came on. We pulled over to check the usual stuff like oil and antifreeze and other fluids. But all of them were ok. We tried to leave again with no success. We had no…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 99,000 miles
    As I was driving up a hill in a residential neighborhood, the engine started making extremely loud noises and it would no longer respond to the accelerator. This was on a narrow two way street. I had it towed to the local Hyundai dealer who said it needs a used motor put in it for $4600 as it has "an internal engine…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 97,000 miles
  3. Electrical

    61 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, instrument cluster/panel.

    The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. While the vehicle was stationary, the steering wheel and the ignition switch seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to tysinger Hyundai in hampton, virginia to be repaired, but the dealer could not find the cause of the failure. In addition, the dealer stated that a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 80,248 miles
    The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle attempted to turn the vehicle off but she was unable to take the key out of the ignition. The driver took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection but they could not diagnose the cause of failure or remove the key. The vehicle…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 82,000 miles
  4. Stability control

    51 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles.

    While driving normally, straight on a level road ESC off light came on. Occasionally turns off but mostly stays on. Cars around 95000 miles and the same thing happened to a 2006 Hyundai Sonata I had around the same mileage. Mechanic said it was an electrical issue and need to call in an electrician.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 95,000 miles
    While driving at various speeds the "ESC off" light illuminates for no reason. This has happened while driving on the freeway, normal surface streets, and has occurred while braking. Power steering goes out randomly during turns while on city streets or highways. Took the vehicle to a mechanic who tested the power…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 90,000 miles
  5. Other or unspecified

    48 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.

    My car has always been kept in garage. About 2 years ago I advised my dealer that cracks were developing on my dashboard. I was concerned because it is over airbags. I was told I would be responsible for repairs. I see other consumers with same model having same problems. I been retired last 3 years and have driven my…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 80,000 miles
    I started my car and as I started to turn the steering wheel so I could pull out of the parking space smoke spewed from my dashboard. I looked up under the dash and noticed the wiring harness in flames. I extinguished the fire. I then had the car towed to a Hyundai dealer. They examined the damage and said tat it…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 81,000 miles
  6. Transmission

    41 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly.

    I had to replace the rear brake pads and rotors. The rotors were warped from the pads constantly rubbing on them. Clearly there is a problem here with the number of complaints I see. My mechanic could not believe the damage done to the rotors and told me the front brakes usually wear first. I have also had the vehicle…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 37,778 miles
    I bought the used car in the spring, it currently has 44,000 miles on it. When the weather got cold, it began to jerk violently at 20 MPH when I decelerate. When I slow the vehicle it feels as if someone has hit me from behind. When making right hand turns I am concerned that the car will switch gears and lurch me…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 40,000 miles
  7. Body and structure

    40 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members, interior panels.

    Passenger door handle fell off or broke off while opening door strong smell of gas only after filling car up with gas and small puddle under rear gas tank after sitting all night only happens if tank is more then 3/4 filled
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 72,115 miles
    The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the chrome on the door latch peeled off and caused lacerations to her fingers. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the door latch was cosmetic. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the brake lamp switch failed and the fuel…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 73,000 miles
  8. Speed control

    31 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles.

    My 2009 Hyundai Sonata will speed up when I remove my foot off the gas pedal. It will increase the RPM's by 1000 which increases the speed of the car. This has happened many times now to the point of returning my car to the dealer for repair while under warranty. But, with 52,000 miles this should not be happening at…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 50,500 miles
    Some times when starting the car with my foot on the brake the rpms go up to about 1200 and then down to 800 rpms. When my foot is removed from the brake the car wants to accelerate and go on its own often. While stoped at a stop sign or stoped with my foot on the brake the car will lurch forward when released, some…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 50,000 miles

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 Sonata recalls

  1. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 13V354000 · August 12, 2013 · 364,502 vehicles

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

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  2. Lights: switch

    NHTSA 13V113000 · April 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles

    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

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

Questions about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (97 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); engine (62 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles); electrical (61 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have?
2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 12, 2013 (suspension). 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 Sonata?
It is 10th of 27 Sonata model years by number of complaints, with 460 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.

Other Hyundai Sonata years

Hyundai Sonata problems by year