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
460 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Nov 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was a loud popping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact became aware that the driver’s side front ball joint had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an autobody shop to be repaired but the contact thought that there was a recall for the lower control arm ball joint that might have caused the failure. The vehicle was instead towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driver’s side front ball joint needed to be replaced out of pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Service brakes, Oct 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be inspected. The contact later discovered that the dealer only did a visual inspection of the brake pads and rotors. The mechanic stated that there were metal shavings from the brake pads and that the contact should wash the wheels to clear the metal shavings. The wheels were washed as instructed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.
Tires, Sep 30, 2021
P 215/60R16, TPMS IS ON , LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM FAILURE ACTION # PE13007 NHTSA CODE: 13V354000
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.
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.
Service brakes, Jul 17, 2021
The problem as reported by so many others that the rear brake system has an inherent failure in the caliper/rotor/brake pads. I have vested nearly $2500.00 on the three for mentioned parts and labor over last 4 years. Between Midas and now a private mechanic have tried better lube on slide pins but the problem still persists. A little research states that the caliper piston doesn't retract from the rotors and in turn heating up the brake components to the point of failure. Some Law firms have stated the problem is a production flaw my problem with a system with this failure rate isn't recognized by the Hyundia. Calipers should simply last 80 to a 100 thousand miles under most driving conditions. Looking forward to your response. Kerry yakel
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.
Steering, Apr 28, 2021
STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCKS UP FOR A SECOND OR 2 WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AROUND 15MPH THEN I WOULD HAVE TO LET MY FOOT OF THE GAS JUST TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO NORMAL. HAD THIS HAPPEN TOO MANY TIMES ALREADY. TRIED FIXING THE PROBLEM BY HAVING A MECHANIC SHOP CHANGE THE AXLES AND BUYING A NEW RACK N PINION AND TIRES AND GETTING A ALIMENT DONE IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. STEERING IS STILL GETS STIFF WHILE MAKING TURNS EVEN WITH ALL THE NEW PARTS ON THE CAR NOW
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK AT THE CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP THE PARKING BARRIER HITTING THE VACUUM MACHINE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED HOWEVER THE VACUUM MACHINE WAS DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE FRONT BUMPER WAS CRACKED AND SCRATCHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT RICK CASE (180 SATELLITE BLVD DULUTH GA, 30096) WHERE NO FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Suspension, Feb 18, 2021
I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID BOLTS RELATED TO REAR TIE RODS WERE RUSTED AND THEY COULD NOT DO IT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIR. HE SAID THE SAME. IN ADDITION HE ALSO SAID THAT THE STRUTS ARE LEAKING. I LOOKED INTO THE HISTORY OF MY VEHICLE, AS I BOUGHT IT USED 2 YEARS AGO. I FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2013 FOR SUSPENSION RELATED ISSUES. AND SOME 239000 VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED. I BELIEVE ITS THE SAME ISSUE WHICH HAS RESURFACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS PERFECTLY FINE OTHERWISE. BY THE WAY I HAVE A SALVAGE TITLE OF THE VEHICLE ON MY NAME IF THAT IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Engine, Dec 9, 2020
THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST.
Service brakes, Dec 9, 2020
BRAKE LIGHT FAULTY IT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY.
Service brakes, Dec 9, 2020
BRAKE PEDAL LIGHT FAULTY STAYS ON ALWAYS.
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.
Wheels, Dec 7, 2020
INSTALLED FOUR (4) BRAND NEW GENERAL ALTIMAX RT43 TIRES. NEW TIRES HAD 3877 MILES ON THEM WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SUFFERED A SUDDEN, RAPID LOSS OF AIR TRAVELING ON A MAINTAINED COUNTY HIGHWAY AT 55 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. THE TIRE WAS EXAMINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND DETERMINED TO HAVE A SLICE OR CUT IN THE SIDEWALL RESULTING IN EXTREME, RAPID TIRE FAILURE. THERE WAS NEITHER NO POTHOLE OR FOREIGN OBJECT TRAVERSED PRIOR TO THE EXTREME, SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE. HAVING BEEN A CERTIFIED EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS INSTRUCTOR, AND HAVING SERVED AS A COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AS AN ADVISOR FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS, I AM MOST CONFIDENT IN MY OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT. THE TIRE SIMPLY FAILED FOR NO IDENTIFIABLE, RATIONAL REASON.
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.
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...
Suspension, Service brakes, Sep 28, 2020
COMPLETE BREAK SYSTEM AS BEEN DONE AS WELL AS TIRES WITH ROTATIONS, HAVING TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTARS OFTEN. CONTINUES TO PULL HARD TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AND IS FAR FROM A SMOOTH RIDE. WHEN BREAKING THE CAR FEELS TO PULL FORWARD. THE EMERGENCY BREAK DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THIS FEELS LIKE A NEVER ENDING ISSUE. THE CAR SEEMS TO SIT LOW ON ONE SIDE, HAVE TO TAKE IT TO GET LOOKED AT.
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.
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
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.