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.
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.
Steering, Feb 20, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TURNING TO THE RIGHT WAS MORE DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
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, Jan 28, 2020
CAR WON'T START, NOT EVEN MAKING SOUND OF IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES AND TODAY ITS TOTALLY SHUT OFF. BATTERY LOOKS GOOD AND RADIO , LIGHTS AND ALL WORKING FINE BUT CAR NOT STARTING AT ALL. I READ ONLINE AND LOOKS LIKE THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL HYUNDAI SONATA 2008-2011 CARS.
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.
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.
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, Seat belts, Seats, Dec 5, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE OCS IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS AND NO ONE EVER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I DO PUT GROCERIES ON THE SEAT AT TIMES. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE TSB CAMPAIGN THAT WAS PUT OUT FOR 2006 -2008 SONATA. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 083. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF MY 2009 SONATA WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2008? WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FROM THE FIRST DEALER THE SEATBELT LIGHT WAS FLASHING.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 26, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED AND STRUCK A LIGHT POLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TIRES WERE SPINNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DROVE NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2019
THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIEDENTAS OF YET IN THE EVENT OF SOMETHING HAPPEN. MY DASH BROAD HAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ARCOSS I HAVE BE TOLD THAT IS A HARRAZAD. MY CAR HOME IN DRIVE WAY NEXT MORNING IT WAS CRACK HALF WAY AND NOW ITS CRACK ALL AWAY CROSS.
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.
Power train, Jul 22, 2019
MY CAR DRIVES WHEN PUT IN DRIVE BUT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I CAME OUT OF A SHOP I VISITED AND TRIED TO BACK UP THE 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
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.
Air bags, Jul 3, 2019
WE BELIEVE OUR VEHICLE HAS A TAKATA AIR BAG SYSTEM. IT IS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT WAS BUILT IN 2008. IN NOVEMBER 2018, CRACKS STARTED TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE AIR BAGS. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND IS CONSISTENTLY STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE BOOK SAYS TO CONTACT THE DEALER. ALL INDICATIONS FROM INFORMATION ONLINE STATE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. WE FEEL CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 09/10/2008. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN LISTED IN THE RECALLS FOR THE HYUNDAI SONATAS YEARS 2007-2008 SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN 2008.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Jul 2, 2019
REAR END OF VEHICLE SWAYS AROUND AS IF DRIVING ON ICE. FEELS EXACTLY LIKE DESCRIPTIONS OF ISSUE WITH RECALL 13V354000. HYUNDAI SAYS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. EXCESSIVE PLAY IN REAR END, AND VERY NOTICEABLE BURNING SMELL COMING FROM REAR END AFTER DRIVING. CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF REAR BRAKES AND TIRES. HAS CAUSED REAR BRAKE HOSES TO FAIL. OCCASIONALLY BRAKE PEDAL SINKS TO FLOOR WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE FEELS AS IF A GUST OF WIND COULD SEND IT OFF THE ROAD. NEED TO DO A TON OF STEERING TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. FRONT END WAS ALIGNED 25,000 MILES AGO.
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
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.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 12, 2019
STALLS RANDOMLY AND INTERMITTENTLY ANYTIME AND AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAPPENS WHILE CRUISING ON A FREEWAY OR STOPPED ON A LIGHT.
Power train, Service brakes, May 3, 2019
JERKING WHEN BRAKEING TO STOP OR WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN. TAKENSEVERAL TIMES FOR SERVICE BUT UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, NO EGINE LIGT HAS COME ON THEREFORE THEY CAN NOT REPAIR. PLEASE WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 22, 2019
ENGINE OIL LEAKS SINCE 2 YEARS AGO
Vehicle speed control, Mar 20, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN LEGS, A BROKEN ANKLE, AND SEVERAL BROKEN RIBS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE VEHICLE USING THE JAWS OF LIFE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 15535396. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.