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
285 reports, newest first.
Visibility, May 17, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW RATTLES AND SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD FALL OUT; THE FAILURE WAS WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. ALSO, THE DOME LIGHT HAD MATERIAL COVERING IT THAT CREATED FIRE HAZARD. THE MANFACTURER, WHEN CALLED, STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY INSTALLED THE DOME LIGHT AND THEY SHOULD BE CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,500.
Air bags, Equipment, Apr 21, 2010, crash
COULDN'T STOP IN TIME TO AVOID REAREND COLLISION MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA 09 AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ,THE FRONT CLIP WAS TOTALED. HYUNDI SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR MY INJURIES WHICH IS SEVERE NECK AND BACK PAIN. I NEED SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO PROCEED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 27, 2010
GAS TANK OVERFLOWS AT CAP DURING REFUELING.
Tires, Mar 15, 2010
HYUNDAI IS EQUIPPING THESE ELANTRAS WITH SOLUS TIRES WHICH ARE VERY SUBSTANDARD ALL WEATHER TIRES FOR TRACTION. TIRES CONSTANTLY SLIDE AND LOOSE CONTACT WITH ROAD SURFACE ON WET, DRY SANDY AND SNOW COVERED PAVEMENT, CONSTANTLY CAUSING THE ABS BRAKES TO ENGAGE, AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WANDER ACROSS ROAD SURFACE. IT IS AT IT'S WORST IN ANY KIND OF SNOW EVEN AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH. CAR ALMOST WENT OFF ROADWAY SEVERAL TIMES DURING SNOW WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 5 & 15 MPH. COMPLAINED TO DEALER WHERE CAR PURCHASED AND THEY COULD NOT CARE LESS! *TR
Power train, Feb 17, 2010
2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BRAND NEW BOUGHT. 1. WHEN THE CAR IS PUT ON 'PARKING' ON A HILL, IT SLIPS BACK ABOUT COUPLE OF FEET. IT SEEM LIKE GEARS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY (NOT IN POSITION) BECAUSE I FELT AND HEARD CLICKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE GEARS SLIPPING BY NOT BEING IN CORRECT POSITION. 2. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT QUITE OFTEN WHEN IT'S PARKED ON A HILL. ABOUT 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. WHEN IT HAPPENS AND I TRY TO SEE IF IT REPEATS, BY GOING BACK AND FORTH THE CAR AND PUT ON PARKING AGAIN, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO REPEAT. 3. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WORKS AFTER THE SLIPPAGE. BUT I AM THINKING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS IN WORRY OF FURTHER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ONLY CONCERN IS THAT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, NOT SURE IF DEALER WILL BE ABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY USUALLY DON'T CARE UNLESS THEY SEE THEM WITH THEIR OWN EYES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2010
WHEN THERE IS SNOWFALL AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED,THERE IS A HORRENDOUS GRINDING SOUND-BRAKES LOCK UP,WILL NOT WORK AND I HAVE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS,AND ALMOST INTO PARKED CARS,ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STREET POLES. THANKFULLY NO PEDESTRIANS. *TR
Air bags, Jan 16, 2010, crash
I WAS DRIVING A NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER BACK AND FORTH. I WAS WAITING FOR THE ABS TO DO WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO , IT THEN PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED OVER TWICE. MY HEAD HIT THE ROOF TWICE MY NECK AND BACK WERE TWISTED, MY LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER WERE TWISTED AND KNEES HIT THE DASH I BELIEVE. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP THERE WAS GLASS EVERYWHERE INCLUDING ALL OVER ME. THIS CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS AND SIDE AIR BAG CURTAINS. NONE OF THESE SAFETY DEVICES WERE ACTIVATED. MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND GREAT GRANDSON WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THIS CAR TWENTY MINUTES LATER, MY GRANDDAUGHTER WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THIS ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY GONE, SHATTERED INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED HYUNDAI OF AMERICA TO RETRIEVE THIS VEHICLE TO FIND OUT WHY NONE OF THESE DEVICES ACTIVATED. THIS CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAD JUST PURCHASED IT ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER TRAFFIC, I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED, MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR STARTED TO SLOWLY MOVE INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE ROAD I WAS ON WAS FLAT SO IT WAS NOT SLIDING. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT A COMPLETE STANDSTILL. THIS CAR HAS VERY DANGEROUS DEFECTS. IT MUST BE RECALLED AND ANALYZED, OR MANY PEOPLE WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BY THESE CARS. THANK YOU *TR
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Nov 5, 2009
2009 ELANTRA GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK UNDER FLOOR MAT. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR
Air bags, Oct 20, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT INVOLVED FIVE VEHICLES. HER VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT WHICH CAUSED HER VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT AS WELL. SHE STATED THAT THE CRASH WAS NOT A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND THAT IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM WHEN HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RECALL IF OTHER DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER OBTAINED HER INFORMATION AND WILL MAIL HER FORMS TO COMPLETE SO THAT THEY CAN CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 4,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 24, 2009
FUEL INJECTION AND COMPUTER FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 5,600 MILES. CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. *TR