Research · Large Cars

2009 Hyundai AzeraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Azera. Most complaints involve electrical system (7) and engine (6). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jan 2018
Owner complaints
26
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V026000

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Aug 12, 2013NHTSA 13V354000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V113000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2010 – Nov 2023
  1. Electrical system7
  2. Engine6
  3. Vehicle speed control5
  4. Service brakes3
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  6. Wheels2
  7. Equipment2
  8. Exterior lighting1
  9. Structure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Azera model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2006188
2007132
200869
200926
20108
201120
201274
2013112
201449
20159
201615
201712
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

7 reports1 fire
“Good afternoon, my name is [XXX] . I purchased my 2009 Hyundai Azera limited edition in 2019 used with 98385 miles after I had the car for 9mths the car stopped running and the company I purchased the car from uses a repair company called Silver Rock which maintained the car I was told a belt popped after receiving the car back 2 days later the engine blow. They replaced the engine and from there The check engine light stayed on the Diagnostics check stated the O2 sensor needed attention repaired that light went off for a week after a week the check engine light returned had it checked again and the O2 sensor showed up again so I had someone else change them again light went off 2 days later the check engine Light appeared again but with ABS on ESC off TPMS on had another Diagnostics completed and it still shows O2 senors And ABS failure and to constantly replace the issue and it's not working properly afterward has a little upset. Now I saw that Hyundai has a recall on My 2009 Hyundai Azera for the ABS and the interior light which has stopped as well from my understanding but when I called to get help I was told my car is not a part of that recall which is…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11556817

Engine

6 reports2 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START UP, THE CONTACT HAD TO USE A CABLE JUMPER TO START THE ENGINE UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS FRACTURED, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED OIL LEAK, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD SEPARATED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED WATER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2020EngineODI 11351888

Vehicle speed control

5 reports
“THE FIRST TIME, I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE AND SPEED UP. THE PEDAL WAS STUCK DOWN. IT WAS NOT CAUGHT ON THE RUG AND WHEN I TRIED LIFTING WITH MY FOOT IT WAS NOT STUCK DOWN. THE SECOND TIME, THE ACCELERATOR WAS PUSHED DOWN, AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPEED UP AND RACE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOD ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR AS BEFORE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE.. I HAD THE DEALER IN RENTON LOOK AT IT BUT THEY SEEM NOT TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE PROBLEM. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2015Vehicle speed controlODI 10670966
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Azera
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950423
Azera
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,100444
  • Azera
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Azera
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Hyundai Azera as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5013
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Azera questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Azera have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Azera problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (7), engine (6), vehicle speed control (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Hyundai Azera get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Hyundai Azera at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026