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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 28, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DOING AROUND 75MPH ESC OFF LIGHT COME ON...
Electrical system, Seat belts, Structure, Oct 19, 2015
HYUNDAI SONATA 2009 RED WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAL BELT STAYS LIT EVEN IF NO ONES SETTING THERE OR ONLY A PURSE, OR NO ONE SETTING THER. SO I HAVE TO PUT SEAL BELT INTO LOCK EVEN WHEN NO ONE SETTING THERE. SO I HAVE TO FASTEN SEAT BELT ALL THE TIME. WHEN DRIVING CAR ALL THE TIME HAVE TO KEEP IT FASTENED. ALSO WINDOW ELECTRIC SWITCH ON DRIVER SIDE MOST TIMES DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THEN DEAL SOLD ME IT A FEW MONTHS AGO. I OPENED DOOR COVER TO SEE IF IT WAS A SWITCH PROBLEM & THERE WAS 2/12 INCHES OF DRIED DIRT IN BOTTOM OF DOOR PANEL. DEALER LARGE ONE IN SAN ANTONIO,TX, AT USED LOT SAY IT IS NORMAL. I SEEM TO THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FLOODED IN WATER HE SAY NO WAY IT NORMAL. SURE JOKES ON ME NOW PURCHASED AS IS DUMMY ME, IN LIMBO IN TX. CAR PAINT IS STARTING TO CHIP AS WELL WITH DEEP OPEN SCRATCHES WEIRD EVERY WASH SEEMS TO MAKE IT WORSE LOOKING.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 14, 2015
LOWERING THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR MADE A CRACKLING NOISE THEN THE VISOR WOULD NOT STAY IN A FIXED POSITION UP OR DOWN. CURRENTLY, I TAPED IT UP TO OLD IT OUT OF MY FIELD OF VISION FOR DRIVING UNTIL I CAN GET IT TO THE DEALER.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 10, 2015
WHILE PUMPING GAS IT APPEARS TO BE FULL (WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN 3/4 FULL TANK) GASS SPILLS OR SPURTS OUT ON FLOOR AND MY FEET. VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN CABIN WHEN PROCEED TO DRIV AND CLEARS OUT AFTER MAYBE 5-10 MILES
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2015
MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. AS THE DRIVER, I AM UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR LOCK DOORS USING THIS BUTTON. INSTEAD I EITHER HAVE TO GET OUT OF MY SEAT TO UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS. THIS IS A PERSONAL SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MY DOOR LOCKS AND FORCED TO GET OUT OF MY SEAT OR VEHICLE TO EITHER LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 8, 2015
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY MADE A "CRACK" NOISE DURING NORMAL OPERATION AND NOW THE VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. I AM NOT UNABLE TO USE DURING BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS BECAUSE IT GREATLY REDUCES MY VISIBILITY BY NOT STAYING IN POSITION. INSTEAD I HAVE TO FIGHT THE SUN WHICH IS DANGEROUS TOO.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 8, 2015
THE ESC OFF LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 6, 2015
ESC LIGHT ON DOES NOT GOES WHEN USING ESC BUTTON
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2015
NOTICED ON PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIRBAG THAT THERE WAS A LONG CRACK FROM WINDSHIELD DOWN ENTIRE FRONT OF DASH AREA. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK JUST ON THE OPPOSITE OF THE DASHBOARD IN SAME AREA WHERE AIRBAG WOULD BE LOCATED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI DEALER TO SURVEY ISSUE AND INQUIRE ABOUT SAFETY ISSUE. I ADVISED THEM THAT I HAVE A CUSTOM MADE SUNSHADE WHICH IS USED ON VEHICLE DAILY FOR SUN PROTECTION ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL AS ENTIRE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE WARNING LIGHT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2015
WHEN I WENT TO START MY CAR I COULD NOT START MY CAR THE KEY SWITCH KEEPS LOCKING AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHEN U ARE TRYING TO GET THE KEY OUT AND I WAS EVEN PUSHING ON THE BRAKE TO GET IT TO RELEASE THE LOCK IT TOOK FIVE MINUTES TO FINALLY TO GET THE KEY TO TURN TO START THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT ONE DAY WHERE I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND THE KEY WAS STUCK IN IT AND THE DEALER SHIP COULD NOT EVEN GET THE CAR TO SHUT OFF OR GET THE KEY TO TURN IT WAS ALSO STUCK IN IT . I'M WORRIED ABOUT BEING SOMEWHERE WHERE I CAN'T START THE CAR OR THE KEY STUCK IN IT AND IT'S LOCKED UP ALL TOGETHER FOR GOOD I'VE HEARD THERE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND IF IT'S GONNA BE FIXED OR NOT
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2015
I HAVE NOTICED MY PAINT ON MY HYUNDAI SONATA FOR 2009 HAS BEEN CHIPPING AWAY AND FLAKING OFF WHEN EVER IT RAINS AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS AND IT'S A NEWER CAR AND I ALSO NOTICE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON GOING THROUGH THIS . THIS CAR GONNA LOOK UGLY WHEN ALL THE PAINT THAT'S CHIPPING OFF AND FLAKING OFF WHEN NOTHING BEEN HITTING THE CAR TO CAUSE THE PAINT TO FLAKE OFF AND IT'S A NEWER MODEL . SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT AND IT SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS AT ALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S DOING THIS I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR NOW THIS IS NOT RIGHT. ALSO MY BUTTON FOR THE GAS DOOR QUIT WORKING ON THE SECOND DAY I GOT IT AND I ALSO NOTICE OTHER PEOPLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND I ALSO KNOW I HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT ALSO BEEN ADDRESSED TOO MY DOOR UNLOCKS WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND IT SHOULDN'T UNLOCK CAUSE I'LL BE SITTING THERE AND SOMEONE CAN JUST OPEN THE DOOR IF I WAS BEING HIJACKED AND IT SHOULDN'T BE DOING THAT EITHER AND UNLOCKING WHEN U PUT THE CAR IN PARK THIS NEEDS FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS TOO
Structure, Sep 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED SEVERE CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 11/23/15*LJ UPDATED 1/14/2016*JS UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ UPDATED 04/07/17*JS *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 31, 2015
HELLO, 2009 SONATA: THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON. IF I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RE START, THE DASH LIGHT GOES OUT SOMETIMES; MAY RETURN THE NEXT TIME I START THE CAR. I HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THANK YOU. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 30, 2015
ESC LIGHT STILL COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. SHUTTING OFF CAR AND TURNING BACK ON WILL MAKE IT GO OFF, BUT DOES NOT KEEP IT OFF. EVEN AFTER STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT FOR THE RECALL, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I SEE MANY MANY OTHERS WITH CONTINUING ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT'S BEING DONE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
Air bags, Aug 27, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL AND MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND TWO FRONT TEETH WERE LOOSE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2015
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WOULD NOT STAY UP, CAUSING IT DROP IN FRONT OF EYES. MOVED TO SIDE, THEN FORCIBLY REMOVED IT WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION. APPEARS TO BE SAME PROBLEM RELATED TO MODELS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT 2009 NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.
Seats, Aug 10, 2015
THE POWER SEAT MECHANISM WILL NOT WORK TO BRING THE SEATBACK UPRIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.
Engine, Jul 30, 2015
IGNITION SWITCH ENGAGES STARTER WHEN TURNING ENGINE OFF. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WHEN KEY WAS IN ACCESSORY POSITION.
Power train, Jul 10, 2015
IN COLD WEATHER AND WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, WHEN SLOWING DOWN, UPON REACHING 20 MPH, THE CAR WILL JERK VERY ROUGHLY INTO A LOWER GEAR. I TOOK IT TO POHANKA HYUNDAI IN VIRGINIA STATING IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WHICH THEY COVER FOR UP TO 100,000 MILES AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES. THIS A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL CARS ON THE HYUNDAI FORUMS WHERE I INITIALLY RESEARCHED ABOUT MY PROBLEM. POHANKA HYUNDAI STATED IT WAS A SAFETY BULLETIN ONLY AND NOT A RECALL, SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR TO THE TRANSMISSION.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 6, 2015
ON JULY 1, 2014 THE REAR CALIPER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR HAD SEIZED, STRIPPING THE BRAKES TO METAL ON METAL. ON AUGUST 30, 2014, THE REAR CALIPER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR FOLLOWED SUIT. LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER I HAVE REPLACED EACH OF THE REAR CALIPERS ONCE AGAIN. I HAD THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE REPAIRED ON MAY 15, 2015, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ON JUNE 9, 2015. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH JUST OVER 53,000 MILES ON IT IN 2013. TODAY, IT HAS 101,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE REPLACED FOUR CALIPERS, THREE ROTORS AND FIVE SETS OF BRAKE PADS. EACH TIME MY CALIPERS FAILED I WAS PLACED IN DANGER OF TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AND FIRE, UNKNOWINGLY. THE MECHANICS WHO WORKED ON MY CAR HAVE INDIVIDUALLY THEORIZED THAT AN ENGINEERING FAILURE IS THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. LAST WEEK I CONTACTED HYUNDAI FOR FINANCIAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE COMPANY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REIMBURSE ME SINCE THE PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED WITH HYUNDAI FACTORY PARTS, OR REPAIRED BY A HYUNDAI CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP. I AM AWARE THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST HYUNDAI BASED ON THIS ISSUE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. I HAVE ALSO READ, AND HEARD ABOUT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS EXACT PROBLEM (REAR CALIPER PROBLEM) IN THEIR HYUNDAI SONATAS, BUILT BETWEEN THE YEARS 2006-2010.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2015
I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. IT HAS ABOUT 140,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ADMITTEDLY WELL OUTSIDE OF ANY WARRANTY, HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THIS CASE REQUIRES AN EXCEPTION. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE PAINT STARTED CHIPPING OFF MY CAR. NOT LITTLE SCRATCHES BUT FAIRLY LARGE SPOTS. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI WHO SAID IT WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY, AND I LET IT GO. LAST SATURDAY, DURING A HARD RAIN, THE PAINT LITERALLY FELL OFF MY CAR. MY HUSBAND DROVE TO COLUMBUS THAT DAY, AND WHEN HE ARRIVED, THE PAINT HAD VANISHED FROM THE ENTIRE ROOF. PATCHES CAME OFF OF THE HOOD AS WELL. AND THE TRUNK IS BEGINNING TO PEEL. I AM TOLD THIS IS A DELAMINATION ISSUE RELATED TO METAL PAINT PREPARATION. WHILE I REALIZE THAT THE CAR IS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY, I STAND BY MY STATEMENT THAT NO MATTER HOW MANY MILES A CAR HAS ON IT, THE PAINT SHOULD NOT COME OFF IN THE RAIN! HYUNDAI REFUSES TO EVEN REFER THE CASE TO A SUPERVISOR. NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR HAPPENS, AND I ACCEPT THAT. BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A FACTORY DEFECT, AND I THINK HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. SINCE HYUNDAI IS TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE, I AM SEEKING OTHERS TO WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR A MORE FORMAL APPROACH TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN ITS REAR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. MA 08/05/2015 UPDATED 9/24/2015 *JS
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2015
WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN DRIVE THE GEAR SHIFT DISPLAY WILL SHOW RANDOM GEARS. IT WILL CYCLE THROUGH ALL THE GEARS UNTIL YOU SELECT TO USE THE MANUAL SHIFT (+/-) TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE IN THE PROPER GEAR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ON OTHERS CAR IN THE SONATA LINE UP JUST NOT THIS YEAR. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED. I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE CAR DEALER TODAY TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 27, 2015
THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL DOWN TO MY ALTERNATOR, CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION AND MAKING MY TRANSMISSION SHIFT AWKWARDLY.