2009 Hyundai Sonata Reliability
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata has 460 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. Compared with other Sonata model years, it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Sonata's typical year, while the 2010 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
460
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
21
Complaints citing a crash
11
Complaints citing a fire
2009 Hyundai Sonata complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 model year, filed between 2008 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 98 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 61 | 13% |
| Engine | 56 | 12% |
| Stability control | 51 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 48 | 10% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 41 | 9% |
| Body structure | 40 | 9% |
| Speed control / throttle | 31 | 7% |
2009 Hyundai Sonata recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2009 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13V113000 | Apr 1, 2013 | 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,… |
| 13V354000 | Aug 12, 2013 | Suspension — rear | 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… |
How the 2009 compares with nearby Sonata years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Sonata analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 696 | 7 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2008 | 425 | 5 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2009 (this page) | 460 | 2 | Service brakes | Caution |
| 2010 | 345 | 2 | Body structure | Solid |
| 2011 | 3,380 | 14 | Steering | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2009 Hyundai Sonata
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2009 Hyundai Sonata can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2009 Hyundai Sonata reliability FAQ
Is the 2009 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata has 460 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. Compared with other Sonata model years, it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Sonata's typical year, while the 2010 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata are service brakes (98), electrical system (61), engine (56), stability control (51). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata, including 13V113000 (exterior lighting — brake lights / switch) and 13V354000 (suspension — rear). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata compare with the 2008 and 2010 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2008 has 425 complaints and 5 recalls (solid); the 2010 has 345 complaints and 2 recalls (solid). The 2009 has 460 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2009 Hyundai Sonata?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Hyundai Sonata research
Other Hyundai Sonata model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2009 Sonata, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.