2009 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 460 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 21 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 26 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2013
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.
Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 13V354000 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
Representative owner complaints: engine
62 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 28, 2026
Once the car gets slowed down and reaches 20 mph of speed by applying the brake or not. It gives a sudden jerk, which causes immediate reduction in speed.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 3, 2025
Oil Leak on Alternator Engine leaking oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover or from the valve cover’s gasket onto the alternator. An unknown amount of oil damaged the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven with a disabled charging system, the engine can shut off, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 3, 2025
Engine leaking oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover or leaking from the valve cover’s gasket onto the alternator. A sufficient amount of oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven with a disabled charging system, the engine can shut off, increasing the risk of a crash.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 29, 2024, fire
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. Driver’s window was foggy. Smoke coming from front. Exited the car. Flames seen underneath front of car and passenger compartment. Smoke worsened and within minutes 10 foot high flames engulfed the car. Fire department had to extinguish the flames. And California Highway Patrol blocked off several lanes. The vehicle totally was incinerated. I filed a police report number 240518LA2144. I do not have the report yet. It is not ready. It was filed with the California highway patrol.
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Feb 21, 2024, fire
Vehicle sat in driveway for one week while on cruise. The day of return the sonata caught on fire without any person touching the car for one week. Brother who’s house it was at was woken by neighbors at 7sm. Home had minor damage, but it could of been bad if it was in someone’s garage. Fire started in engine and console. Fire department could not find out a reason. Car was totaled. Had to rent a car to get home that was 2 hours away. Never had an issue with this vehicle in the 12 years I owned it.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 26, 2023
Valve cover gasket leaks and oil leaks on to the alternator which can cause the alternator to fail and the battery to not maintain a charge and the car can stall and then not start. This is the same exact problem problem that is in your recall on 2007-2012 Veracruz Recall number 20V705000 & 14V415000 And 2007-2009 Santa Fe vehicles have the same issue and Service Campaign 936 SB-10058931-4495 (TSB# 15-01-031).
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Dec 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of her father. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer then diagnosed that the gasoline needed to be pumped out. The repair was completed; however, the failure recurred. The battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for 3 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The dealer stated the car needs a new engine.
Engine, Feb 16, 2022
Car was making a loud ticking noise while running and increased when accelerating. Also would shut off while accelerating. Auto shop ran a diagnostic and said there is a rod bearing failure.
Engine, Dec 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started and driven to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
Engine, Dec 9, 2020
THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST.
Engine, Dec 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HIS SON ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S SON COASTED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
Engine, Nov 8, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING POP INSIDE THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. I LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND I HAD ALMOST GOTTEN HIT BY SEMI WHILE ROLLING TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC SHOP SAID THAT'S MY ENGINE ROD BEARING WAS BROKEN. SAD SINCE THIS IS MY FIRST VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 16, 2020
WAS DRIVING ON ACCESS ROAD AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED TO STALL- UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD ON WURZBACH PARKWAY. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND HAD CAM SHAFT, CRANKSHAFT SENSORS REMOVED AND REPLACED. HAD $700 OF OTHER WORK DONE AND CAR WORKED GREAT FOR 2 WEEKS. UNFORTUNATELY TODAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. LUCKILY I GOT TO SAFETY BUT COULD'VE BEEN KILLED IF I WASN'T SO LUCKY... PRETTY RIDICULOUS PROBLEM TO HAVE ESPECIALLY AS SO MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM...
Engine, Aug 24, 2020
WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR CUT OFF TOOK ALL I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK TO COME GET ME TOOK TO A GARAGE AND THEY INFORMED ME I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR.
Engine, Jun 22, 2020
WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. COULD HARDLY CONTROL THE STEERING. PULLED OVER AND WAITED A MOMENT AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. AFTER TWO MINUTES THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. MECHANIC SAID TO BRING IT STRAIGHT TO HYUNDAI AND DEMAND A NEW ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. VERY DANGEROUS TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Engine, Jun 15, 2020
I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR ENGINE JUST DIED. I COULDN'T STOP AND RAN THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER THAT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP. *TR
Engine, Jan 17, 2020
THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY UNTIL YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES AFTER GOING HIGH SPEEDS IT JERKS. AT STOPS IF THE CAR ISN'T IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE STUTTERS WE'VE REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR 3 TIMES NOW AND THAT'S THE CODE THAT COMES UP EVERYTIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER THE JERKING. WE ALSO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS HOPING IT WOULD HELP THE SHAKING AT STOPS AND IT DIDN'T.
Engine, Oct 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE P0014 CODE APPEARED AND THE CAM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VIVID AND RR VIVID SOLENOIDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A FULL SERVICE WAS COMPLETED, INCLUDING FLUSHING THE ENGINE WITH CLEANSER AND CHANGING THE OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT JIM BURKE HYUNDAI (1424 5TH AVE N, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203, (205) 386-959). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM BURKE HYUNDAI WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND CODES: P0013 AND P0011 (CVVT AND ASSY NOT HOLDING THE CAMSHAFT TIMING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,930.
Suspension, Structure, Engine, Aug 27, 2019, crash
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.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 2, 2019
TAKATA RECALL ON JULY 27, 28 2019 THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL DRIVING SOUTH ON I 75 AND LATER ON THE STREETS. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR IT DROVE ALONG OK. DURING OUR RETURN TRIP, THE CAR STALLED AGAIN DRIVING NORTH ON I 75 , AND WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY SECONDS BEFORE A 18 WHEELER PASSED US WITHIN LESS THAN A FOOT BETWEEN US. ALL FIVE US COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WE WERE LUCKY TO FIND A NATIONAL REPAIR SHOP OPENED ON A SUNDAY WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR( THE CAR HAS 54,000 MILES ) . THE PART WAS REPLACED AND AFTER 4 HOURS WE WERE ON OUR WAY, MINUS $400 PLUS DOLLARS. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS CONTINUES TO BE AN UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM -THAT THIS SENSOR MUST BE RECALLED- AND THE PUBLIC MADE AWARE OF THE DANGER.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. ALSO, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. ADDITIONALLY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO HERITAGE HYUNDAI TOWSON (801 YORK RD, TOWSON, MD, 877-387-5495) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Power train, Engine, May 28, 2019
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 PROBLEM" WITHOUT GOING IN TO SPECIFICS. ENGINE HAD 97,000 MILES AND CAR WAS WELL-MAINTAINED.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 22, 2019
ENGINE OIL LEAKS SINCE 2 YEARS AGO
Engine, Oct 10, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ..*BF *BF *TR *JB
Engine, Sep 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE EMISSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN HYUNDAI (3675 SHERIDAN DR, AMHERST, NY 14226, (716) 992-6536); HOWEVER, THE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME. THE DEALER PERFORMED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL REPAIRS TO THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,633.