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
Structure, Jan 20, 2015
WE CAME HOME FROM A SHORT TRIP AND NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF OUR CAR HAD PEELED OFF IN A FEW SPOTS. SOME SPOTS LARGER THAN OTHERS. THE GREY PRIMER IS SHOWING NOW AND WE HAVE A WHITE CAR. *TR WHY IS PAINT PEELING OFF OF AN 09 HYUNDAI? SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING!!! *TR
Structure, Jan 14, 2015
THE DRIVERS SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS MADE OF ARTIFICIAL "CHROME". A FEW DAYS AGO, I OPENED THE DOOR AND GOT A SEVERELY LACERATED FINGER WHICH BLED A LOT. I WROTE TO HYUNDAI ABOUT MY INJURY. THEY SYMPATHIZED, BUT SAID THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AS MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 31,186 MILES ON IT AND IS HOUSED IN MY GARAGE, I DID NOT EXPECT TO BE INJURED BY A DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE ON A PRISTINELY MAINTAINED VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AS I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT INJURIES FROM THIS HANDLE. NHTSA HAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL FOR EARLIER MODEL HYUNDAI'S WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. HERE IS ONE OF THE MANY QUOTES THAT I FOUND.... "HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 91,000 SONATAS BECAUSE THE CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE INTERIOR HANDLE MAY WEAR, "CAUSING CRACKING OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE." NHTSA SAYS THE SHARP EDGE CAN CAUSE "LACERATION INJURIES TO ANYONE USING THE DOOR HANDLE." PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED BY THIS DEFECT. THANKS SO MUCH! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Nov 17, 2014
THE PAINT JUST PEELS OFF THE CAR WHEN DRIVING. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO BODY SHOPS AND ALL 3 SAID THE PRIMER IS BAD. THIS IS CAUSING THE PAINT TO PEEL OFF TO THE METAL. HYUNDAI WILL NOT EVER LOOK AT THE CAR TO INSPECT IT FOR BAD PRIMER. *TR
Structure, Aug 27, 2014
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN IT STARTED POURING HEAVILY. AFTER REACHING HOME, HE NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TWO PLACES ON THE HOOD HAD PEELED OFF, LEAVING THE METAL EXPOSED. THE CAR BODY STARTED TO RUST WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THIS INCIDENT. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY EVALUATED THE ISSUE AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES (CLOSE TO $1100). UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, I FOUND THAT THEY DO NOT COVER PAINT FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM LEFT WITH A HUGE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE, AND BEING A STUDENT, THAT CAUSED A HUGE DENT ON MY FINANCES. *TR
Structure, Aug 10, 2014
THE CHROME "WRAP", WHICH IS A CHROME COLORED COVERING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DETACHED LEAVING A RAZOR SHARP EDGE, WHICH CUT MY HAND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO USE A GLOVE OR EXERCISE CARE TO OPEN THE DOOR. ACCORDING TO REPORTS POSTED ON THE WEB, HYUNDAI HAD ISSUED RECALLS FOR EARLIER YEAR MODELS BUT HAS REFUSED TO FOR NEWER MODELS EVEN THOUGH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS IN THE NEWER MODELS AND ISN'T JUST MANIFEST IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BUT OCCURS IN OTHER HANDLES AS WELL. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE DEFECT IS NOT COVERED BY HUNDAI'S WARRANTY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS "WAY OUT OF WARRANTY." *TR
Suspension, Structure, Apr 18, 2014
PASSENGER REAR UPPER SHOCK TOWER WAS FILLED WITH(VERY RUSTY) WATER FROM HOLE IN A THE WHEEL WELL. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Engine, Dec 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION WHEN SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE DOORS ERRONEOUSLY LOCKED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHROME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE WAS PEELING AND TORE THROUGH THE CONTACT'S HAND. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO LOCK AND THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY WHEN SHIFTING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK AND JERKING FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED AND THE STARTER LEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.
Structure, Dec 2, 2013
THE HOOD PAINT STARTED TO DISCOLOR AND APPEAR SPLOTCHY. SINCE THE PAINT WARRANTY WAS ONLY GOOD TO 36,000 MILES, I FIGURED I WOULD BITE THE BULLET AND GET IT PAINTED AT MY COST. BEFORE I GOT THAT DONE THE DAMAGE HAS NOW APPEARED ON THE LEFT FRONT FENDER (BEYOND THE HOOD) AT 62,000 MILES. THIS IS JUST A LOUSY FACTORY PAINT JOB AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S WORTH GETTING THE WHOLE CAR REPAINTED. *TR
Structure, Nov 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME ON THE DOOR LATCH HAD PEELED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,400.
Structure, Nov 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 12/24/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ON OCTOBER 1, 2013, BOTH REAR SIDE(PASSENGER AND DRIVER) EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THEM. THE DEALER QUOTED THE CONSUMER A PRICE OF $500.00 THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, DUE TO THE COST. UPDATED 12/26/13
Structure, Aug 15, 2013
PAINT STARTED TO FLAK OFF ON FRONT OF ROOF TOP, AND FRONT OF HOOD AT 39,000 MILES. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO INDICATED THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY GOOD THRU 36,000 MILES ON PAINT, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. PAINT SHOULD NOT FLAK OFF AND IS DEFECTIVE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Exterior lighting, Structure, Jul 12, 2013
TL* 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 CAP RELEASE ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. *TR
Structure, Jun 20, 2013
THE "CHROME" PLATING IS PEELING OFF OF THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE USED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE PEELED PLATING HAS SHARP EDGE AND I CUT MY FINGER ON IT. I CERTAINLY HOPE THIS WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE 5 YR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Apr 3, 2013
IN SPITE OF FOLLOWING MANUFACTURERS GUIDELINES FOR TIRE INFLATION AND FOLLOWING PROPER ROTATION TIMETABLES AND HAVING THE CAR ALIGNED THIS CAR EATS TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES 5 DIFFERENT TIMES IN LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. I PURCHASE PREMIUM, NAME BRAND TIRES WITH A MILEAGE RATING OF 60,000 MILES. IN 2011 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ALIGNMENT AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT "ALL LOWER CONTROL ARMS, CAM BOLTS AND BUSHINGS SEIZED DUE TO RUST; CAN'T ALIGN PROPERLY. I HAD A PLATINUM EXTENDED 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THROUGH HYUNDAI. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO ADVISE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE ADJUSTER CAME AND INSPECTED AND "EXTENDED WARRANTY DENIED COVERAGE AS RUST WAS THE CAUSE, THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS." THE DEALERSHIP ARGUED THAT THIS IS THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE US AND WE HAVE SNOW AND THE ROADS ARE SALTED IN THE WINTER. DEALERSHIP FELT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED AND TRIED AGAIN BUT COVERAGE DENIED. AS THE OWNER I CALLED THE ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WAS ALSO DENIED. BECAUSE CORRECT ALIGNMENT IS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO RUST ISSUES THERE IS A HANDLING/STABILITY PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED FROM RUSTED ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS. I HAVE FOLLOWED PROPER SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE BUT DUE TO THE PROPENSITY OF RUSTING THIS HYUNDAI SONATA HAS DETERIORATED WORSE THAN COMPARABLE AUTOMOBILES THEREFORE CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN AND A RESULTING LOSS OF VALUE. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THIS CAR IS EXPOSED TO NORTHERN SALTED ROADS MINIMALLY. I LEAVE THE NORTH THE FIRST OF JANUARY AND HEAD SOUTH AND RETURN IN EARLY APRIL AND HAVE DONE SO FOR THE PAST 3 WINTERS. *TR
Structure, Feb 13, 2013
I BELIEVE THAT THE HYUNDAI SONATA 2009 A HAS A PAINT DEFECT PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE 12 PAINT CHIPS ON THE HOOD WHICH I BELIEVE ARE THE RESULT OF PAINT FLAKING OFF. I DO NOT RECALL ONCE HEARING A ROCK HIT THE HOOD AND YET I HAVE 12 CHIPS AND NOW ONE SIMILAR CHIP NEAR THE TRUNK. THERE ARE NO DENTS THAT WOULD INDICATE ROCKS OR OTHER OBJECTS HITTING THE HOOD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND SPOKE TO THE MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE A RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR. I DO NOT AGREE AND A QUICK LOOK THROUGH THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR