Problems · by component
2009 Hyundai Elantra electrical system problems
28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Hyundai Elantra cite electrical system, 10% of all 287 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
28
10% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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. We had no idea that there was anything wrong no warning lights no signs of any problems up to this incident.”
“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. I was told that the ABS module may not work in event of inclement weather or quick stops. A multi-point inspection was done prior to release of vehicle. I never received a recall on the Hyundai HECU. It was only when I researched it after I got the car back. I made it known that I want to…”
“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 ABS MODULE JUST STARTED SMOKING TODAY. SMELL OF BURNING BREAKS. WE WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY AND STOPPED AT A MALL AND NOTICED THE SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL.”
“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?”
Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.