2009 Hyundai Sonata Problems & Complaints

Most common 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems

• Brakes~50,000 miles
  9821%
• Engine & cooling~99,000 miles
  6213%
• Electrical system~80,000 miles
  6113%
• Stability & traction control~95,000 miles
  5111%
• Other / not specified~80,000 miles
  4810%
• Transmission & drivetrain~40,000 miles
  419%
• Body & structure~72,000 miles
  409%
• Speed control & acceleration~51,000 miles
  317%
• Air bags~68,000 miles
  307%
• Steering~90,000 miles
  266%
• Suspension~50,000 miles
  255%
• Fuel & propulsion system~73,000 miles
  235%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~69,000 miles
  194%
• Lights~92,000 miles
  143%
• Wheels & tires~30,000 miles
  112%
• Seat belts~100,000 miles
  82%
• Locks & latches~82,000 miles
  61%
• Equipment & accessories~41,000 miles
  61%
• Seats~117,000 miles
  31%

Share of the 460 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Hyundai Sonata complaints by model year

Best Sonata years: 2025, 2019, 2020. Years to avoid: 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2017. Compare all years →

2009 Hyundai Sonata recalls (2)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2009 Hyundai Sonata:

What 2009 Hyundai Sonata owners say

Brakes all 98 →

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be inspected. The contact later discovered that the dealer only did a visual inspection of the brake pads and rotors. The mechanic stated that there were metal shavings from the brake pads and that the contact should wash the wheels to clear the metal shavings. The wheels were washed as instructed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

Brakes seize up while driving and then cannot move the vehicle. This causes a dangerous situation while driving and then breaks lock up and cannot move car even though vehicle is on and then stopped for a stop light. Car must then be turned off and sit for about 30 minutes so it can unseize and when that happens, you can then resume driving and then check engine light comes on. Brake lights were staying on even when vehicle is shut completely off. ABS and ESC lights stay on consistently and never turn off. Vehicle brake switch was replaced at Carolina Hyundai of high point, NC. So break lights have been repaired. They had to order the stop switch lamp replacement for recall as it was never done and will be fixed in next week. 3 door handles fell off and cannot open the rear driver side door at all. …

Engine & cooling all 62 →

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of her father. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer then diagnosed that the gasoline needed to be pumped out. The repair was completed; however, the failure recurred. The battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

5/18/24 in the afternoon, driving the car on freeway. the car lost power. AC stopped. Heat and check engine lights came on. Pulled car to shoulder. Driver's window was foggy. Smoke coming from front. Exited the car. Flames seen underneath front of car and passenger compartment. Smoke worsened and within minutes 10 foot high flames engulfed the car. Fire department had to extinguish the flames. And California Highway Patrol blocked off several lanes. The vehicle totally was incinerated. I filed a police report number 240518LA2144. I do not have the report yet. It is not ready. It was filed with the California highway patrol.

Electrical system all 61 →

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After calling AAA, the technician determined the vehicle had run out of gasoline however, the instrument panel was reading a half tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the instrument panel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 184,500.

I see that the manufacturer has an "Open Service Campaign" on their Sonata's shark fins. I've taken mine to the local dealership and they want a min. $700 to replace the shark fin. It just came off somewhere (a couple of years ago) and, now, my car has to be jumped off if I let it sit more than two days. I have had it inspected by the dealer and an individual garage. No one would tell me what was draining my battery. I am a senior citizen and fear I will get stranded on the road somewhere. The missing fin lets water into my car, soaking the carpets, etc. Finally, it was suggested that the car cover I keep on it touches the exposed fin components and that's what was draining my battery. It seems that the manufacturer was aware enough of this faulty part to want to prevent complaints by voluntarily replacing problematic parts (thus the service campaign). …

2009 Hyundai Sonata engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.