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: structure
40 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Structure, Aug 23, 2022
Passenger outside door handle fell off a couple years ago. Today the internal mechanism for the driver's side door broke so door will not open from the inside.
Structure, Jun 15, 2022
The sunroof detached from the vehicle at highway speed. The sunroof was not open or otherwise in operation when it detached. A mechanic concluded that the adhesive holding the glass to the sun roof assembly failed. The sunroof assembly was completely intact after the incident and did not appear to be damaged.
Structure, Sep 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while attempting to open the front driver’s side door, the outside door handle detached from the vehicle. The contact also stated that all four door handles had detached from the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Structure, Aug 31, 2020
AS I TRIED TO OPEN MY PASSENGER FRONT SIDE DOOR THIS MORNING I PULLED THE HANDLE OFF. THE PORTION OF THE HANDLE THAT CONNECTS INTO THE LATCH MECHANISM HAD SNAPPED OFF IN THE DOOR. I WOULD JUST TAKE IT IN AND GET IT FIXED, BUT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM, HAVING LOST THE PASSENGER REAR HANDLE EARLIER THIS SUMMER AND THE DRIVER'S FRONT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THERE MUST BE A DISTINCT DEFECT WITH THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE DOORS OF THIS MODEL, AND SEARCHING AROUND THE INTERNET I'VE FOUND A HANDFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR SONATAS.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACTED ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND UNLOCKED THE DOOR USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEY HYUNDAI LOCATED AT (4660-100 SOUTHSIDE BOULEVARD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216 (904) 642-6060) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE DOOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE CLIP FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,881.
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.
Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 3, 2019
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
Structure, Mar 13, 2019
EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BREAK WHEN OPENING THE DOOR TO ENTER THE CAR WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. CURRENTLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR HANDLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE HAS BROKEN.
Steering, Structure, Jan 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT DID NOT POWER OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT SLOWLY DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER WAS CORRODED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL ALMOST DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SURESKY HYUNDAI (2 HATFIELD LN, GOSHEN, NY 10924, (845) 294-5177) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TT
Structure, Dec 2, 2018
PASSENGER EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN WENT TO OPEN DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. HAD TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. CHECKED GOOGLE UNDERSTAND THIS IS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI MODELS. MANY COMPLAINTS .
Air bags, Structure, Oct 24, 2018
TAKATA RECALL THE DASHBOARD IS SERVERLY CRACKING OVER THE AIR BAG AN ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. STARTED IN JULY AND GETTING WORST. I NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THE BODY OF THE CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION FOR ITS AGE. MILEAGE IS DUE TO HIGHWAY DRIVING.( I DO NOT KNOW HOW THE AIRBAG IS SETUP IN DASHBOARD BUT THERE TWO LONG CRACK ABOUT 10 TO12 INCHES APART FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND NOW ANOTHER ONE ABOUT 8 INCHES COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THAT GOING ACROSS THE DASHBOARD.)
Structure, Jan 16, 2018
THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MANY PLACES. THESE ARE DEEP CRACKS AND MORE ARE OCCURRING. HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD.
Structure, Oct 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG. WALLACE AUTOMOTIVE IN STUART, FLORIDA 34997 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE DASHBOARD. AT THE REQUEST OF HYUNDAI, THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Nov 1, 2016
THE PAINT BEGAN TO COME OFF ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR 3-4 YEARS AGO. FINALLY TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI COMPLAINING THAT IT MUST BE A DEFECT SINCE: 1) NO ACCIDENTS, 2) DO NOT PARK UNDER PECAN TREES, 3) NO HAIL DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE PAINT TO COME OFF TO THE POINT THAT THE HOOD HAD ALMOST STARTED TO RUST THROUGH. COST ME $597.80 TO HAVE IT STRIPPED, REPAINTED, ETC.
Structure, Apr 20, 2016
THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OF THE BACK DOOR, I HAVE NEVER KNOWN THE DOOR HANDLE TO JUST COME OFF THE DOOR OF A CAR.
Structure, Mar 8, 2016
THE 2009 SONATA HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT FRAME THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT LIVE AT THE BEACH, AND IS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS FOUND BY A MECHANIC DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. CHUNKS OF FRAME WERE FALLING OFF AS WE WERE INSPECTING THE RUST. IT IS BEING REPLACED DUE TO EMINENT, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY TIME HE HAS EVER SEEN THIS IS ON 20-25 YEAR OLD BEACH CARS.
Structure, Feb 17, 2016
PAINT IS BLISTERED & PEELING OFF IN BIG CHUNKS. PRIMARILY THE HOOD, ROOF & TRUCK. VEHICLE IS PEARL WHITE IN COLOR
Structure, Feb 16, 2016
THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR EXPOSING THE BARE METAL. THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT USE ANY PRIMER ON THE CAR, SO WHEN I APPLY TOUCH UP PAINT, IT WON'T STICK. HOW ARE THEY ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS? IT'S A FINANCIAL DISASTER FOR CONSUMERS. I SAW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE ABOUT THE PEELING PAINT YET THE COMPANY STILL GETS AWAY WITH DOING NOTHING.
Suspension, Structure, Feb 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME, CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR IN LINKS, AND THE REAR ASSIST ARMS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,600.
Structure, Jan 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TO THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HANDLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Structure, Dec 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE CRACKS ALONG THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ UPDATED 08/03/16.*JB
Electrical system, Seat belts, Structure, Oct 19, 2015
HYUNDAI SONATA 2009 RED WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAL BELT STAYS LIT EVEN IF NO ONES SETTING THERE OR ONLY A PURSE, OR NO ONE SETTING THER. SO I HAVE TO PUT SEAL BELT INTO LOCK EVEN WHEN NO ONE SETTING THERE. SO I HAVE TO FASTEN SEAT BELT ALL THE TIME. WHEN DRIVING CAR ALL THE TIME HAVE TO KEEP IT FASTENED. ALSO WINDOW ELECTRIC SWITCH ON DRIVER SIDE MOST TIMES DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THEN DEAL SOLD ME IT A FEW MONTHS AGO. I OPENED DOOR COVER TO SEE IF IT WAS A SWITCH PROBLEM & THERE WAS 2/12 INCHES OF DRIED DIRT IN BOTTOM OF DOOR PANEL. DEALER LARGE ONE IN SAN ANTONIO,TX, AT USED LOT SAY IT IS NORMAL. I SEEM TO THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FLOODED IN WATER HE SAY NO WAY IT NORMAL. SURE JOKES ON ME NOW PURCHASED AS IS DUMMY ME, IN LIMBO IN TX. CAR PAINT IS STARTING TO CHIP AS WELL WITH DEEP OPEN SCRATCHES WEIRD EVERY WASH SEEMS TO MAKE IT WORSE LOOKING.
Structure, Sep 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED SEVERE CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 11/23/15*LJ UPDATED 1/14/2016*JS UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ UPDATED 04/07/17*JS *TR
Structure, Apr 13, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS TWO LARGE CRACKS IN IT. IT IS VERY UNSIGHTLY AND SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE CRACKS ARE BECOMING LARGER WITH TIME. *TR