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: other or unspecified
48 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 6, 2026
Brakes seize up while driving and then cannot move the vehicle. This causes a dangerous situation while driving and then breaks lock up and cannot move car even though vehicle is on and then stopped for a stop light. Car must then be turned off and sit for about 30 minutes so it can unseize and when that happens, you can then resume driving and then check engine light comes on. Brake lights were staying on even when vehicle is shut completely off. ABS and ESC lights stay on consistently and never turn off. Vehicle brake switch was replaced at Carolina Hyundai of high point, NC. So break lights have been repaired. They had to order the stop switch lamp replacement for recall as it was never done and will be fixed in next week. 3 door handles fell off and cannot open the rear driver side door at all. Window electric system won’t let windows go up and down and had to make a latch pull string to open driver door. Passenger door will not open at all and no handle and is a dangerous situation. Break switch not being replaced would have cause an electrical fire and is a complete dangerous vehicle even after being inspected less than a week ago
Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2024
Excessively cracked dashboard. The entire dash in my 2009 Hyundai Sonata is cracked and a replacement has been denied by Hyundai USA. A cracked dashboard could cause reduced structural integrity. The dashboard is a structural component designed to help absorb and distribute some of the forces in a collision. Cracks can compromise this ability to perform this function potentially increasing the force experienced by the occupants and the and other parts of the vehicle. It can also cause increased risk of debris and shrapnel. During a collision the cracked dashboard may break apart more easily causing sharp or jagged pieces to become projectiles inside of the cabin these fragments can pose a serious injury risk to occupants. It can also result in an impaired airbag deployment. Many vehicles have airbags in the dashboard a severely cracked dashboard could obstruct or improperly deploy airbags for example the air bag may not fully deploy reducing its effectiveness and the dashboard may puncture or otherwise interfere with the airbag as it inflates creating additional safety hazards. Cracks may expose sharp edges or materials under the dashboard which could harm occupants during a collision, especially in areas where passengers may come into contact with the dashboard. A cracked dashboard could also cause a compromised electrical system dashboards house numerous electrical systems, sensors and controls cracks could indicate underlying damage to these components. In a collision these systems may fail or behave unpredictably which could further reduce safety features. Cracked dashboards present a significant risk during a collision and should be addressed by the manufacturer promptly to ensure its customer safety.
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2023
I see that the manufacturer has an "Open Service Campaign" on their Sonata's shark fins. I've taken mine to the local dealership and they want a min. $700 to replace the shark fin. It just came off somewhere (a couple of years ago) and, now, my car has to be jumped off if I let it sit more than two days. I have had it inspected by the dealer and an individual garage. No one would tell me what was draining my battery. I am a senior citizen and fear I will get stranded on the road somewhere. The missing fin lets water into my car, soaking the carpets, etc. Finally, it was suggested that the car cover I keep on it touches the exposed fin components and that's what was draining my battery. It seems that the manufacturer was aware enough of this faulty part to want to prevent complaints by voluntarily replacing problematic parts (thus the service campaign). And, there are a lot of videos on YouTube from DIY folks who've suffered through replacing the shark fins (many different models) themselves. It seems, however, the manufacturer only notified dealers with said "open service campaign," not the public, as in a proper Recall process. That way, they get to make more money off the public when the part falls off? Please advise how one might get the dealers to do the right thing. Thank you.
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).
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2022
My door handles are breaking off. I was climbing in and out from my passenger seat..now my passenger and rear passenger door handles have broken off in the same day. I have no way in my vehicle now except through the window that I had to take off track to slide down to crawl in and out..im in a loss for words. This is humiliating.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2021
Dash pad directly above the passenger side airbag has cracked with an approximately 12 inch vertical long crack
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2021
None of my lights on my dash has changed. Areas affected: Service Brakes, Hydraulics, and exterior lighting, Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to engaged the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. As mentioned in the recall from 4/1/13. 2nd recall For Suspension: control arm separation May suddenly changed the rear wheel alignment affecting the handling of the car increasing the risk of a crash. Another main common issue is The rusted out subframe, lower control arms, cam bolts, bushings, control arm, subframe, and sway bar. This is causing me to drive unstable and hold the steering wheel forcefully in order to remain straight.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 26, 2021
All car systems flashed and car went completely dead. Nothing worked. First time it happened mechanic said alternator and battery had to be changed. A year and a half later exact same thing happened and again new mechanic says the alternator needs to be changed. BIG SAFETY ISUUE AS CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY WITH CARS GOING ALL AROUND ME TRYING TO AVOID ME. This is Second time the alternator has to be replaced with only 2000 miles on the car after the alternator was replaced the first time.
Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2020
THE IGNITION LOCKED, THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO TURN OVER. THANKFULLY, I WAS PARKED IN A BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS PARKING LOT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2020
PLEASE, I WENT TO ONE OF THE VISION HYUNDAI OUTLETS TO RECTIFY SOME RECALLS ON MY HYUNDAI 2009 SONATE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT MY SUBFRAME HAS HOLES AND ADDED THAT IT CALLS FOR CONCERN AS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE, I DO NOT HAVE THE $800 HE SAID IT WOULD COST. I SEE THAT SOMEOTHER PERSONS HAD COMPLAINED IN THE PAST AND MADE A CLEAR STRONG STANDING TO HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAD THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS. BEARING IN MIND THAT A SUBFRAME ON A CAR SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING OUT, I NEED YOUR INPUT TO HAVE THIS ISSUED RESOLVED.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2020
MY DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR STARTED CRACKING LAST YEAR. IT IS OVER THE AIRBAG SO I NOW TRY NOT TO PUT ANYONE IN THAT SEAT OR SIT THERE MYSELF. IT STARTED OUT AS 1 CRACK AND EVERYDAY THERE IS MORE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 23, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. HECU INTERNAL FAILURE. ACTIVE DTC PRESENT: C1237 PRIMARY PRESSURE SENSOR SIGNAL. SENSOR FAILURE INSIDE THE ABS CONTROL CYCLE. VALUES AT PRESSURE SENSOR CHANGED FROM 0.3 BAR TO 78.0 BAR; NO CHANGE IN SUPPLY VOLTAGE. SUPPLY VOLTAGE CONSTANTLY AT 14V. HYUNDAI HAS MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE NO ACTIVE RECALLS AND THAT THIS PART IS LIFE THREATENING IF IT FAILS - BUT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THEY ARE SHYING AWAY. ONLINE THERE ARE SEVERAL KNOWN ISSUES WITH HYNDAI AND HECU. SPECIALLY FOR MODELS BEFORE 2009. ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI IS NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE AVOIDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND PLAYING WITH HUMAN LIFE. WOULD APPRECIATE IF THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO SOMETHING.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2019
MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN GARAGE. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I ADVISED MY DEALER THAT CRACKS WERE DEVELOPING ON MY DASHBOARD. I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS OVER AIRBAGS. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. I SEE OTHER CONSUMERS WITH SAME MODEL HAVING SAME PROBLEMS. I BEEN RETIRED LAST 3 YEARS AND HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR LESS THAN 5 THOUSAND MILES, CAR IS KEPT IN GARAGE AND THE CRACK HAS NOW SPREAD TO DRIVER'S SIDE OF DASHBOARD! I HOPE A RECALL OCCURS FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY DEFECTS IN CAR!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2019
THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD HAS TWO LONG CRACKS AROUND OR WITHIN THE AIRBAG AREA. BASED ON SOME GOOGLE SEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE SONATA. I HAVE THE SINGLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS MAJOR ACCIDENT, AND NO FRONT COLLISION OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CRACKS APPARENTLY ARE DUE TO POOR RUBBER QUALITY. THE CRACKS HAVE BEEN NOTICED FOR ROUGHLY A WEEK, THOUGH THE EXACT DATE OF ITS FIRST APPEARNCE IS UNCERTAIN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2019
MY DASH IS CRACKING IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES AND 1 IS CLOSE TO THE AIR BAG AND IT CONCERNS ME IF I GET IN CAR ACCIDENT THAT MY AIR BAGS DEPLOY AND AFRAID THE WHOLE DASH WILL COME OFF AND IT DOES NOT SEEM SAFE TO ME
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 22, 2019
ENGINE OIL LEAKS SINCE 2 YEARS AGO
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2019
SEVERELY CRACKED DASHBOARD
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2019
I BOUGHT MY CAR ON JULY 18TH 2016. THAT IS THE ONLY TIME I HAVE HAD A PASSING INSPECTION STICKER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER I DROVE OFF THE LOT. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE TRIED TO GET IT FIXED. THE CODE IS A P0442 CODE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO 4 MECHANICS AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE ISSUE. WE HAVE CHANGED THE GAS CAP TWICE, DONE PURGE VALVES, AND HOSES. WE ALSO DID 7 SMOKE TESTS AND STILL CAN NOT FIND THE ISSUE. I STILL OWE 7,000 ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN PAYING IT BUT IT'S NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO THE REJECTION FOR THE INSPECTION. I KNOW OF 2 HYUNDAI SONATAS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE BEING A 2006 AND THE OTHER ALSO A 2009. I KEEP LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL BUT HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS AS FAR AS WHAT TO DO. PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2019
THE ALARM WILL SOUND RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON. IT HAPPENS DOZENS OF TIMES A DAY AND ALARMS MY TEENAGE DRIVER. THE BUTTON IS NOT PUSHED, NOTHING IS TOUCHING THE CAR. JUST RANDOM. WE WANT THIS FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE IS DRIVING AND THE ALARM GOES OFF FOR NO REASON.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2019
I BOUGHT THE USED CAR IN THE SPRING, IT CURRENTLY HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLD, IT BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY AT 20 MPH WHEN I DECELERATE. WHEN I SLOW THE VEHICLE IT FEELS AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT ME FROM BEHIND. WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL SWITCH GEARS AND LURCH ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ITEMS ON MY SEAT THAT ARE NOT SECURE ARE PROPELLED TO THE FLOOR. I WILL NOT LET ANYONE ELSE OPERATE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I FEEL THAT IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE DECELERATION. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORPORATION- MISTAKENLY TOLD ME IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN RECANTED WHEN THEY REALIZED I WAS A SECOND OWNER WHICH ONLY COVERS 5 YEARS OR 60,000. HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE STATES THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, THAT THERE ARE NO TECHNICAL BULLETINS APPLYING TO MY AUTOMOBILE. REFUSES TO FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE DESPITE THERE BEING COUNTLESS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE ON THE NHTSA SITE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 28, 2018
TRANSMISSION SHIFT DOWN
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2018
I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR STARTING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COMES UP BUT THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. PREVIOUSLY I HAD TO GET A NEW STARTER ON 10/29/2015 WITH 40524 MILES ON THE CAR AT THIS TIME; THE 2009 SONATA WAS THEN ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD; I PAID $100 AS IT WAS JUST SLIGHTLY OVER 5 YEAR AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD PRORATE IT. I HAVE BEEN HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AGAIN SINCE JANUARY 2018 WITH THE CAR STARTING/TURNING OVER INTERMITTENTLY; LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD COMES UP BUT CAR DOES NOT TURN OVER. I TOOK TO DEALER TODAY AND THE CAR HAD 60925 MILES ON IT, THE DEALERSHIP PERSON STATED THEY WERE 90-95% SURE IT WAS THE STARTER BUT NOT 100% AND ESTIMATED THE COST FOR THE NEW STARTER TO BE OVER $500. THE DEALERSHIP PERSON SAID THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE STARTER PUT IN ON 10/29/2015 WAS 12 MONTHS/12000, AND THEREFORE NO COST ADJUSTMENT.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2017
2009 HUYNDAI SONATA STARTER INSTALLED IN JUNE 2017 BY DEALER AFTER DIAGNOSING A DEFECTIVE STARTER WAS THE REASON FOR A STRANGE SOUND WHEN STARTING THE CAR. IN DECEMBER 2017, THE SAME DEALER STATES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS SENDING A SIGNAL AT THE WRONG TIME AND AS A RESULT, THE SAME SOUND OCCURS. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE SAME SOUND IS NOT A RESULT OF THE STARTER, BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2017
WHILE DRIVING (THE CAR WAS IN MOTION) THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS A PROPENSITY TO DROP, BLOCKING THE VISION FROM THE DRIVER. THE SUN VISOR NOW DOES NOT STAY IN AN UP-RIGHT POSITION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE SUN VISOR BLOCKS YOUR VISION.