2009 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 285 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 28 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleFeb 4, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V061000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemFeb 23, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V100000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveMar 15, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 11V143000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Oct 22, 2025
Taylor Hyundai of Findlay FAILED too complete these recalls. X3 times !
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 3, 2023
Drove about 1 hour using cruise control part of the time. Don't usually use it, but used it 2 months ago with no problem. After 1.5 hour visit, drove home. Did not use cruise control, but at last 10 minutes acceleration issue started where car would "rev" even though I was not accelerating. Able to manage it with brake and normal driving. Tried to reset cruise (turn on/off), but car still had episodes of "revving". Did not accelerate to dangerous level and controllable. After car sat in garage for 2 hours, I drove out of neighborhood to empty stretch of road and accelerated to 50 with no problems and no revving of engine. Service check scheduled.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2023
The original car jack supplied with the vehicle failed. The jack is intended to be used in an emergency where the tire needs to be removed and replaced by the driver. The jack almost folded in half. The jack was installed correctly under the car. I had removed the damaged tire, and suddenly that end of the car had fallen. If I had been in the act of installing the spare tire I could have been severely injured by the falling car. I have the car jack and it can be inspected if you need it to be.
Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2021, crash
UNKNOWN; My car moved from pavement to dirt rode. I pressed the break and attempted to turn left. The car did not slow down or turn. I went straight off the curve and hit a tree. Upon impact broke 4 bones(hip, ribs, arm, shoulder shoved into my chest) , lacerated 2 organs, and major concussion. I go for a secondary hip surgery to correct the failed device inside my body now.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2021
THE SENSITIVITY ON THE ALARM SYSTEM IS WAY OFF. I CAN'T EVEN SET THE ALARM BECAUSE IF A SEMI DRIVES PASSED IT, THE ALARM GOES OFF. IF A CAT JUMPS ON IT, THE ALARM GOES OFF. IF A STRONG BREEZE GOES BY AND A TWIG DROPS, IT GOES OFF. EVEN THOUGH THE LOCAL HYUNDAI REPAIR PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS WRONG, THEY STILL WANT TO CHARGE AN ARM AND A LEG. FOR SOMETHING THAT ISN'T MY FAULT. JUST RECALIBRATE YOUR EQUIPMENT. YOU HAVE THE COMPUTERS TO DO SO BECAUSE YOUR EQUIPMENT HAS DONE IT BEFORE. MAYBE FIX IT?
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2019
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE EPS LIGHT WOULD ARBITRARILY TURN ON AND GO AWAY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS CYCLED OFF AND BACK ON. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON, IT IMMEDIATELY BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CAR REVERTS TO MANUAL STEERING MODE AND REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO CONTROL. WE HAVE HAD THE EPS LIGHT TURN ON MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING US IN DANGEROUS, UNSAFE CONDITIONS ON THE ROAD. RECENTLY, THE EPS LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND NOT GOING AWAY. WE VISITED THE LOCAL DEALER TO REPORT THIS ISSUE AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS RESULTED IN ERROR CODES RELATED TO THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR-ELECTRICAL, TORQUE SENSOR MAIN SIGNAL FAULT, ECU (BRAKE SYSTEM) HARDWARE ERROR, CAN TIME-OUT EMS, AND MOTOR. WHEN ASKED, THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO PERFORM AN EVALUATION AS PER THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THEY RECALIBRATED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND STATED THAT IF THE PROBLEM REOCCURS, WE WOULD NEED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN (PART NUMBER 56310-2H250 AS1) AND PAY FULL COST OF REPAIR (PART AND LABOR). THIS PART NUMBER IS LISTED AS A REPLACEABLE ITEM PER THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED AN EPS S/W CHK/ECU UPGRADE IN 2015 WHEN NO ISSUES WERE PRESENT AND REFUSE TO FURTHER ASSIST WHEN THE ISSUE IS PRESENT WHEN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION LETTER IN MARCH 2015 CLEARLY STATES THAT THE FINAL REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED AT THIS TIME. THE DIAGNOSIS SHOWS THAT A FAULTY PART WAS INSTALLED BY THE CAR MANUFACTURER, AS STATED IN THE RECALL, AND THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE ACTUAL ISSUE. INSTEAD OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM, THEY INSIST THAT WE DRIVE THIS POTENTIALLY UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THE ISSUE REOCCURS. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED CONCERN AS THERE IS NO WARNING TO WHEN THIS ISSUE WILL OCCUR. THEIR RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT THE EPS PROBLEMS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 27, 2019
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!!
Steering, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2018
ON 8/3/18, WHILE EXITING OFF HIGHWAY, I WAS STATIONARY AT A STOP LIGHT AT TOP OF RAMP. WHEN LIGHT CHANGED, I TRIED TO TO TURN LEFT, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. IT WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN SO I THREW ON MY FLASHER TO HELP AVOID BEING REAR ENDED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, 8/6 AND THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS TESTS WHICH PULLED UP CODES RELATING TO MALFUNCTIONS TORQUE SENSOR, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, EPS FAILURE, ECU FAILURE. AT LOW MILEAGE OF 32,485 MILES, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND EPS DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE. COMPUTER WAS UNABLE TO READ TORQUE TO ECM. I PROMPTLY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI USA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING MAJOR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS WITH STEERING PARTS BREAKING, MALFUNCTIONS, AND RECALLS THAT HAVEN'T FIXED THE CRITICAL UNDERLYING PROBLEMS THAT RESURFACE. EPS MODULE RESET/REPLACEMENT DURING RECALL IN 2015 DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED, THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHY ARE MAJOR STEERING MALFUNCTIONS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE WITH HYUNDAI USA?
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2018
2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE COVER ASSEMBLY AIR FILTER AND RECALL ISSUES. *SMD *CN
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 12, 2017
DRIVER SIDE VISOR DOESN'T STAY IN POSITION AND DROPS ON ITS OWN. THUS IT BLOCK THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO SEE THE ROAD. WHEN I SEARCHED THE GOOGLE, I ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL THOUSAND OWNS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 4, 2016
EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE IS LOOSE. RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING THE EBRAKE LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD. TO MAKE THE LIGHT GO AWAY, I HAVE TO TAP THE BRAKE DOWN. THE LEVER HANDLE IS LOOSE AND SHAKES WHEN I AM DRIVING. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS HAPPENS DAILY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING A FEW MONTHS AGO.
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2015
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 BUT THE CONCERN IS THAT IF IT TURNS OFF FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME DURING WINTER DRIVING OR DURING RAIN THEN THE WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER WILL NOT WORK WHICH WILL END UP BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT SURE IF THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM - MAY BE A LOOSE CONTACT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR A WIRING ISSUE. NOT CLEAR IF THIS WILL END UP AFFECTING OTHER DEVICES SUCH AS LIGHTS, ETC. LATER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE SECOND HAND IN SUMMER OF 2015.