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.
Engine, Jun 27, 2017
WAS BACKING CAR OUT OF OUR GARAGE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (SOLID AND NOT BLINKING) SO DROVE CAR BACK INTO OUR GARAGE AND TURNED IT OFF. NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OBSERVED WHEN BACKING OUT OR PULLING BACK IN TO GARAGE. FROM THAT POINT ON THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER START. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 110,618 MILES AND WAS TOLD ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS PERMANENT TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED TIME. DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY REASON WHY THE CHAIN WOULD JUMP TIME. LEARNED THAT RECALL EXISTS FOR NEWER MODELS OF SONATAS THAT HAVE SAME ENGINE THAT HAVE ISSUE WITH INTERNAL OIL DISTRIBUTION TROUBLE THAT SEIZES ENGINE CAUSING TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP. ENGINE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP WITH USED 62,000 MI ENGINE.
Engine, Jun 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL THE THIRD ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (JACK GIAMBALVO HYUNDAI 2425 INDUSTRIAL HWY, EAST YORK, PA 17402 (717) 755-2944). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO OCCUR WHILE AT THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,788.
Steering, Jun 7, 2017
STEERING IS LOCKING UP IN TURNS WHILE TURNING ON THE HIGHWAY! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! JUST CALLED DEALERSHIP & THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS HOWEVER IF YOU SEARCH STEERING PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET IT'S A VERY KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS! SOMETHING NEEDS DONE!
Engine, May 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTING ROD WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V568000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN ALABAMA. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.
Seat belts, May 13, 2017
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT LOCK IS STICKING. VERY HARD TO BUCKLE BELT INTO PLACE.
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2017
THIS IS MY SECOND OFFICIAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS. I DROVE THROUGH A LARGE PUDDLE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT RECOVERED AFTER THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I HAVE LOOKED AROUND AND MANY HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS, WITH DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME ISSUE. IS ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS YET? OR DO DRIVERS HAVE TO DIE FIRST. PLEASE HELP US. -[XXX]PREVIOUS COMPLAINT # 10954232 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
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.
Service brakes, Apr 10, 2017
I OWN A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE OPERATING I NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN SPEED, COASTING, FUEL ECONOMY, AND BRAKING DISTANCE. UPON PARKING MY CAR I SMELLED BURNING BRAKES. AS I WALKED PAST THE DRIVER REAR TIRE I COULD FEEL THE HEAT RADIATING FROM THE TIRE. I DIDN'T DARE TOUCH THE RIM FOR FEAR IT WOULD BURN ME. DIAGNOSIS REVEALED A SEIZED REAR DRIVER BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. THIS CAUSED RUINED THE REAR BRAKES AND PUT UNDUE STRESS ON THE FRONT BRAKES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM AS THEY HAD ALL BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH COVERED THE REAR CALIPER REPLACEMENT BUT NOTHING ELSE. BURNING THROUGH BRAKES IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVEN'T NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Engine, Apr 7, 2017
OUR CAR, A 2009 HYUNDAI SONOTA, HAS HAD THE SAME ENGINE ISSUES AS THE HYUNDAI RECALL SET FORTH ON APRIL OF 2017. WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP, WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE SYMPTOMS OF THE CAR ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN THE 2017 RECALL, BUT WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP, OUR VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WE MAINTAINED THE CAR PROPERLY AS SET BY THE DEALERSHIP (OIL CHANGES, ETC.).
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2017
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND HAS BEEN FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. MY BOYFRIEND'S FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR, SAME YEAR AND HIS IS WORSE THAN MINE. MY CONCERN IS THIS IS WHERE AIRBAG IS LOCATED.
Service brakes, Feb 17, 2017
STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT. ON 01/14/17 I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT PLAZA HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 2700 NOSTRAND AVE, BROOKLYN NY 11210 TO REPLACE MY STOP LAMP SWITCH. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK AT THAT TIME. THE PART WAS ORDERED ON 01/14/2017 AND AS OF THIS WRITING (02/17/2017) THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PART AND HAVE NO ESTIMATED TIME OR ARRIVAL ON THE PART. NO ONE EVEN NOTIFIED ME THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS NOT COMPLETED. I HAD TO COME BACK IN THE FOLLOWING DAY 01/15/2017 BECAUSE MY BREAK LIGHTS WERE NOT TURNING OFF. AT THAT TIME THEY ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT I ADVISED THE MANAGER THAT I WAS THERE LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO TO ADDRESS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSING THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME AT THAT TIME THAT THE PART WAS STILL ON ORDER. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME AN ETA. I CALLED HYUNDAI'S CORPORATE OFFICE, AND THEY COULD NOT GET AN ANSWER FROM PLAZA AUTO EITHER. THIS IS A SERIOUS RECALL AS IT EFFECTS MY ABILITY TO SIGNAL THAT I'M BREAKING. I WILL ATTEMPT TO GO TO ANOTHER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OR REMEDY MYSELF, BUT I THINK THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Service brakes, Feb 16, 2017
REAR BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE SEIZED AT LEAST 7 TIMES, CAUSING ME TO NEED TO REPLACE THEM. I'M AT 115,000 MILES AND HAVE HAD THE LEFT ONE SEIZE, DESTROYING THE ROTOR AND PAD 4 TIMES, AND THE RIGHT ONE SEIZE 3 TIMES (ONCE RECURRING WITHIN 15,000 MILES OF REPLACEMENT). THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT DIFFERENT SHOPS, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS RECURRING. FIRST TIME OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER 30,000 MILES. OCCURS EVERY 1-2 YEARS SINCE THEN. MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE IS NOW (CAR IS BEING REPAIRED THIS MORNING, LEFT REAR CALIPER/ROTOR/PAD). NOTICED MASSIVE SHIMMYING THIS TIME. PREVIOUS TIMES HAVE BEEN NOTICED FROM: GRINDING NOISE, CAR WON'T ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH (LOCKED IN ENGAGED BRAKE MODE THAT TIME), AND SEVERE BUCKING WHILE BEING DRIVEN.
Engine, Feb 13, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DEEP PUDDLE (3-4 INCHES), THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AS THE ENGINE STALLS AND I LOSE ALL POWER ACCESSORIES. ONCE I RESTART THE ENGINE, THE BATTERY LIGHT GOES OUT AFTER A SHORT TIME AND ALL IS GOOD AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR I'VE HAD THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF IT HAPPENS AT THE WRONG TIME, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STEER AWAY FROM TROUBLE.
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT WAS REPAIRING A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION WOULD INADVERTENTLY RESTART WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE STARTER MOTOR COULD BE HEARD RE-ENGAGING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF NORMAL OPERATION THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW KEY CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 04/12/17 *LJ *AS
Service brakes, Dec 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER 7,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 05/17/17 *BF *CN
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER 7,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 16, 2016
ESC LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES ENGINE HESITATION IS INVOLVED. THIS HAPPENS AT VARYING SPEEDS, VARYING OPERATING TEMPS, AND VARYING WEATHER/TEMP CONDITIONS.
Electrical system, Dec 5, 2016
SEVERAL DRIVER SIDE DOOR ELECTRONICS MALFUNCTIONS. LOCK BUTTON DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN TRYING TO LOCK DOORS. GAS CAP OPENER DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN MY GAS CAP THROUGH THE TRUNK. WINDOW AUTO CLOSE BUTTON NOT RESPONSIVE MOST OF THE TIME.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 5, 2016
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE READS INTAKE VALVE CIRCUIT HAS LOW VOLTAGE. NOTICED REDUCED GAS MILEAGE ECONOMY AND POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 5, 2016
FRONT ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ONTO ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO BECOME DAMAGED, WHICH LED TO POOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND THEN COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 5, 2016
FRONT ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ONTO ALTERNATOR CAUSING IT TO BECOME DAMAGED, WHICH LED TO POOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND THEN COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER.
Engine, Nov 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PRESENCE OF METAL SHAVINGS MIXED WITHIN THE OIL AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 14, 2016
THE LIGHT TURNS ON AND YOU TRY TO PUSH THE SWITCH TO IT BACK ON BUT IT DOES NOTHING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. THE FIRST I HAD SOME SENSOR REPLACED BUT ITS BACK ON DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN
Service brakes, Nov 11, 2016
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS NOT FUNCTIONING/BROKEN CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON AND ESC BUTTON IS NOT FUNCTIONING.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 6, 2016
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR LOST SPEED GRADUALLY FROM 60 MPH TO 10 MPH. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR AN EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT AND STOP AT A HOTEL PARKING LOT. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE SINCE OTHER CARS WERE SPEEDING AROUND ME AT 70+ MPH, THEN CUTTING IN FRONT OF ME TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO OTHER RESULT. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND SO I'M WITHOUT A CAR FOR THE WEEKEND AND WILL HAVE TO MISS WORK TOMORROW. UNKNOWN CAUSE. I'M NOT ABLE TO SCAN DOCUMENTS.