Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Hyundai Genesis owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that she noticed that the brake lights would not illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the stop lamp switch needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that the diode wiring system needed to be replaced. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,394.
Vehicle was in motion on city street when another motorist signaled that flames were coming out of front drivers side bumper. Fortunately, my wife was nearing home and pulled over in front our house where I sprayed and soaked area of fire until it receded. When I was able to view damage, the drivers side fog light bulb and housing had dropped thru the large hole which had burned thru the plastic bumper. The bulb and housing evidently dislodged from the fog light socket and dropped into the surrounding plastic bumper below and triggered the fire . Our complaint is that the car has at least ten dealer service repairs which shows replacement of several lights and bulbs including the fog light involved in the fire. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V489000 (service brakes, hydraulic). After receiving the repair, the brakes began to malfunction. The contact had to pump the brake pedal several times before the vehicle would come to a stop. Also, the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brakes were applied. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V713000 (exterior lighting). The contact received the repair for the recall; however, the failure of the brake pedal was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case on the vehicle. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. …
I visited Hyundai dealer near my home sage Hyundai located at 200 n vermont ave, los angeles, ca 90004 for stop lamp of my 2009 Genesis sedan 3.8 stopped working about a week ago after one of vehicle behind almosted rear ended my car and they informed me about stop lamp did not illuminated. I discovered it was Hyundai recall campaign NHTSA #: 14V713000, Hyundai recall # 125. They service department of the dealer did not do any repair and just let me go. And service rep. Stated that the recall is limited to only on stoplamp switch not on any other related circuit. They never had any diagonostics performed. I had to drive home in very dangerous situation without stop lamp light working. There are always stop and go traffic where my home is. I was very scared when I drove home.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, a fellow motorist alerted him that the brake lights were not illuminating. There was no warning light illuminated to alert him of the failure. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and saw that the fuse was not blown. The contact also noticed that the headlights were inoperable unless the switch was set to auto mode. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V713000 (exterior lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,526.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The contact was informed by eyewitnesses that the brake lamps on the vehicle failed to illuminate. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V713000 (exterior lighting) and 13V113000 (service brakes), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing, but the location was over an hour and a half away. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
In July ,2014 , I was told by another driver that the stop lights were not functioning; I immediately took the vehicle to my local mechanic after my Hyundai dealer told me that it was not covered under my warranty. It was corrected the next day after my car was left until fixed. I was just notified by NHTSA that a recall ( campaign # 14V713) was just issued for faulty stoplight problem. I called my local Hyundai dealer to see about re-imbursement and was told that there wasn't a recall issued yet for this problem and was given the # for customer care. I just got off the phone with Hyundai motor America and was told that the recall was being worked on ( campaign 125) and that I would be receiving a letter in the future. I asked if that would be in days,weeks , months or years ,he said he did not know. Remember the brake fluid recall ! …
Was traveling on vacation and was notified by another motorist that I had no brake lights. Took to dealer and they replaced stop lamp switch (#13-01-021-3). Vehicle was still under warranty and no cost for repair. Dealership did not indicate that there was a recall or service bulletin on this part or with this issue. Had a second incident, similar as the first only this time the brake lights flickered when brake was applied. I was nearly rear ended by a motorist and then was stopped at a light by that motorist to tell me of the issue. The following day I smelled a very heavy electrical smell when I started the vehicle. I again took the vehicle to the dealership and they fixed the same stop lamp switch (diode) at no cost. However, the dealer said they had not had any Genesis in for a second time with this issue. …
To my surprise I was stopped by a police officer in March 2013 because none of the brake lights were working. He issued a fix-it ticket. I took the car to a Hyundai dealership and they replaced a diode to fix the problem. Now less than six months later on August 31, 2013 I was told by another driver that my brake lights were not working (again). I took it to a Hyundai dealership and they replaced the diode again. Despite my asking why the brake lights keep failing, Hyundai dealership did not provide an explanation. This is dangerous because the vehicle operator has no knowledge of when the brake lights stop working and it could result in my vehicle being rear ended. I have no idea how long I was driving both times w/o brake lights working.
I have encounter this problem multiple time with this vehicle through out my ownership. I bought the vehicle new and have encountered lost of brake lights repeatedly. I am usually informed during a scheduled maintenance that I have no brake lights. The service department replace the z01 diode, but it doesn't seem to be a permanent fix, because I've had this part replaced repeatedly due to lost of brake lights. The lost of brake lights is a very danger situation for all drivers that could result in crash, injury and fatalities. This seems to be a common issue with Hyundai Genesis vehicles per my investigation online.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Hyundai Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, to November 21, 2010, and 2011 Hyundai Equus vehicles manufactured July 31, 2010, to November 21, 2010. Due to a circuit failure, the stop lamps in the affected vehicles may not illuminate.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the stop lamp switch circuit, free of charge. Hyundai issued an interim notification to owners on January 6, 2015. The recall began on March 23, 2015.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
Remedy: 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.
Headlight complaints in other Genesis years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2009 Hyundai Genesis?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the lights of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis, 10% of the model year's 235 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Hyundai Genesis headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-713 (switch, Nov 7, 2014); NHTSA recall 13V-113 (switch, Apr 1, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Hyundai Genesis headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.