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, 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, Mar 13, 2019
POWER STEERING GETS STIFF AND MAKES IT HARD TO TURN INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CHARGE ME $145 JUST TO SAY NOTHING IS WRONG.
Service brakes, Feb 28, 2019
ISSUE 1 AT 29,476 MILES, 23 SEPT 2011. REAR BRAKES SEIZED DUE TO REAR CALIPER SLIDES STICKING. PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANT BY DEALER, BILL MARSH TRAVERSE CITY, MI . REPAIR ORDER 737578. ISSUE 2 REAR BRAKES NOISE AND WORN. 69,385 MILES. 29 MAY 14. REAR CALIPER PISTON SEIZED. NEW CALIPERS, PADS AND ROTORS. REPAIR ORDER 771872. ISSUE 3, REAR BRAKES NOISE AND HOT. 104, 051 MILES. 24 OCT 2017. RR CALIPER SEIZED. PADS, ROTORS BOTH SIDES REAR AND FRONT REPLACED. RIGHT REAR CALIPER REPLACED. BILL MARSH RO NO 427604. ISSUE 4 REAR BRAKES NOISE. TRAVERSE REAR CALIPER FAILED AGAIN. REAR ROTORS, PADS, AND RR CALIPER REPLACED. 28 FEB 2019. BILL MARSH HYUNDAI REPAIR ORDER 432896. 4 REPLACEMENTS OF RIGHTREAR BRAKE CALIPER , BRAKE PAD, AND ROTORS ARE EXCESSIVE AND ABNORMAL. THIS MODEL YEAR SONATA SHOULD BE ADDED TO RECALL FOR REAR BRAKES. MANY MORE COMPLAINTS OF PREMATURE REAR BRAKES FAILURE ARE NOTED ONLINE FOR MODEL YEARS 2009, 2010. BRAKES GET EXTREMELY HOT AND FUEL ECONOMY SUFFER GREATLY WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS.
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.
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
Other or unspecified, Dec 28, 2018
TRANSMISSION SHIFT DOWN
Suspension, Dec 13, 2018
VEHICLE SWAYS OUT OF CONTROL WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR MAKE A TURN. TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY DID AN INSPECTION AND DROVE IT AND SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. I ASKED THEM TO DRIVE IT AGAIN WITH ME IN IT AND THEN THEY INSPECTED IT AGAIN AND SAID THAT HE REAR SUB FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. THE CAR HAS NO OUTWARD SIGNS OF RUST, BUT APPARENTLY THE SUBFRAMES ON HYUNDAIS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 12, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT ILLUMINATES FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, NORMAL SURFACE STREETS, AND HAS OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING. POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY DURING TURNS WHILE ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAYS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO TESTED THE POWER STEERING AND FOUND NO ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PUMP IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER AND DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE STEERING, WITH A RECALL ISSUED, ON 2008 AND 2011 SONATA MODELS, HOWEVER THE 2009 MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. ON THOSE RECALLS THE COMPUTER CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE POWER STEERING CONTROL UNIT HAD BECOME DAMAGED AND MADE THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN POSSIBLY CAUSING A WRECK. STEERING ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING OVER THE YEARS.
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 .
Suspension, Oct 29, 2018
REAR CONTROL ARM COMPONENTS ARE FAULTY AND REQUIRE $2K IN REPLACING ENTIRE CONTROL ARM COMPONENT. HYUNDAI STATES IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER #113 DUE TO CURRENTLY NOT BEING REGISTERED IN A "SALT STATE" HOWEVER RECALL IS EXACT ISSUE AS CURRENT ISSUE WITH MY CAR. PROBLEM WAS RECENTLY IDENTIFIED AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE SHOP TO DETERMINE ISSUE WITH THE CAR. CAR HAS ISSUE WITH CONTROL, BRAKING AND SHAKING WHILE IN TRANSIT AS WELL AS A BURNING SMELL FROM THE REAR END.
Steering, Oct 25, 2018
WHEN STARTING THE CAR, ENGINE MAKES SCREECHING LOUD NOISES MOSTLY ON COLD CRANKS. THE IGNITION SWITCH BY PASSES THE ALT POSITION AND STARTS THE CAR. MAKES LOUD NOISE LIKE STARTER IS NOT RELEASING.
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.)
Engine, Oct 10, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ..*BF *BF *TR *JB
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.
Engine, Sep 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE EMISSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN HYUNDAI (3675 SHERIDAN DR, AMHERST, NY 14226, (716) 992-6536); HOWEVER, THE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME. THE DEALER PERFORMED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL REPAIRS TO THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,633.
Engine, Aug 1, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN I SLOW DOWN MY CAR JERKS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 29, 2018
WHILE DRIVING, THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON. IT DOES SO RANDOMLY, BUT FREQUENTLY WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 26, 2018
MY BRAKE LIGHT STOP SWITCH BROKE INTO PIECES WITH NORMAL USE SO THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. MY FRONT BRAKE HOSE SPRUNG A FLUID LEAK THAT MADE THE BRAKES FULLY STOP WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A DRIVE. THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE SPLIT AND CRACKED PREMATURELY CUASING THE BRALE FLUID TO EMPTY OUT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS EVENT HAPPENED DURING A DRIVE. MY ESC LIGHT IS ON BIG PROBBLEM IM ASSUMING. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AS WELL BOTH INDICATE ARE OFF AND NON WORKING.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 13, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES THEN IT WILL ONLY LET ME 'COAST' ABOUT 5MPH.
Suspension, Jun 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE OF A FAMILY MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,200.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "ESC OFF" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FORWARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. PACIFICO HYUNDAI IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Engine, Jun 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY, THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS, AND THE TIMING CHAIN WERE ALL FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.