Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Got in the car to come home put the key in ignition turned it and battery was dead went to turn off and something popped and cloud of smoke started rolling out from underneath the hood once hood was up the smoke got stronger from behind the motor the battery we had to get the battery unplugged and pulled out to get the electricity out the vehicle because of the battery being dead but sill plugged up at the time it would continue smoking more and more and thicker thicker so My husband pulled the battery out immediately as doing so we both inhaled some smoke but we was more concerned about it catching on fire so we pulled through it . We are confused on how or why this happened nothing has broke or went wrong with my vehicle but serpentine belt brake and tire ware my mother had car inspected and service back in May nothing was said that there is or will be wrong with my car. …
For the past month I have broke down multiple times. Used all my aaa tows. Everything turns off while driving 60mph with kids in the vehicle. Absolutely no power steering. I haven't had interior lights, radio etc in 6 months. 8 belts since March. I'm a single mother stranded again freezing
The radio turns on and off in its own heat blows threw the vent when heater is off abs lock showed not working when inspection then showed as it was working air bag light always on none of the dash board lights work lock buttons work when it wants to
February, 2024 - brakes "soft" at times, seems not catching unless stepped on almost to the floor. I brought it to the dealership same day. Since I did not have an appointment, a test drive was done and was told it was working fine and let them know if the brake warning lights will turn on. No record of this was noted. March, 2024 - I had to bring it back because the brakes feel like it will quit as I have to really step on the pedal to the floor before the car will slow down. The master cylinder was changed. Multi-point inspection was done. I got the car back March 14, 2024. April 12, 2024 - I had to bring it back because of the brake and ABS lights on the instrument panel lighted up. I was told it's the HECU that's the problem. I had to drive back the car to home because of the quoted cost of $3,266.58 estimate that I have to make a decision of. This was on April 23, 2024. …
Backing out of a "fast food" drive thru lane , car did not turn, as normal, and struck a pole with the passenger side back panel. At the time I had no explanation for why car didn't follow the driveway curve. I have never as an adult had an at fault accident, and had no explanation for this. The part has been recalled on my car. I am on a fixed income & could not afford to get car repaired. I put report into Hyundai, but need to know liability for "accident" & repairs. I called your phone line & was put in touch with Hyundai & have case #[redacted]. This form won't allow me to enter "EPS control unit".
On 09/17/2018 I woke up around 5 am to find the Elantra fully engulfed in flames in the front end. It wasn't running, nothing left on, it had not been run for 4 hours so the engine should have been cold. No drivability problems before. Police and fire department responded, put the fire out and stated that they saw nothing suspicious about the fire and that I should check on problems with Hyundai. This car only had 70000 miles on it with a 10 year 100000 mile warrantee .I went to the dealer, they told me it was not covered without even looking at it. This car was cold, parked, nothing on, no keys in it, I don't see any reason it should have caught fire. It was a total loss. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the trunk lid opened independently, the alarm activated, and all the doors locked and unlocked. The contact mentioned that there was smoke coming from inside the vehicle, which failed to shift into the park position. The fire department extinguished the fire and diagnosed the fire as an electrical fire. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The contact stated that it was difficult to maneuver the vehicle safely. Taylor Hyundai (located at 3233 washington rd, augusta, ga 30907, [phone]) was contacted by phone and the contact was informed that the vehicle was subjected to NHTSA campaign number: 15V100000 (steering). Additionally, while attempting to drive to the dealer to have the recall repair performed, the power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the recall repair was performed. After the failure recurred, the vehicle experienced several electrical issues pertaining to the interior lighting being activated when the headlight switch was turned to the on position. Additionally, the battery would drain overnight while the vehicle was parked. …
Air bag light went on and stayed lit after starting car, begining in October 2018. Problem seemed intermittent; stayed off after start up when there was weight in passenger seat. Took to local mechanic and a diagnosis was ran. Codes showed either the battery or the passenger air bag sensor. Had the 3 1/2 year old battery replaced to rule that out. No air bag light issue for about ten days, but problem began again. A few more weeks pass and the air bag light is on at all times. I understand that the air bags will not deploy when that light is on. I was told by hyundi that air bag problems would be paid by them, but not for related sensor issues. Seems the sensor is equally as dangerous. No air bags, are no air bags. I bought the car (used) because of its high safety ratings for my two teens to drive. I think any item effecting the air bags should be recalled asap. …
The sensitivity on the alarm system is way off. I can't even set the alarm because if a semi drives passed it, the alarm goes off. If a cat jumps on it, the alarm goes off. If a strong breeze goes by and a twig drops, it goes off. Even though the local Hyundai repair people know what is wrong, they still want to charge an arm and a leg. For something that isn't my fault. Just recalibrate your equipment. You have the computers to do so because your equipment has done it before. Maybe fix it?
Electrical complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of the model year's 254 complaints. The component named most often is horn (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Hyundai Elantra electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Hyundai Elantra electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.