Research · Large Cars

2009 Hyundai GenesisRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 235 owner complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis. Most complaints involve service brakes (110) and electrical system (29). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2014
Owner complaints
235
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

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.

Exterior lightingReported Nov 7, 2014NHTSA 14V713000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, through March 28, 2012. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Oct 29, 2013NHTSA 13V489000

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

235 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2009 – Sep 2026
  1. Service brakes110
  2. Electrical system29
  3. Exterior lighting24
  4. Steering21
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic18
  6. Vehicle speed control16
  7. Engine13
  8. Power train10
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)8

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 Genesis model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009235
2010156
2011145
2012270
2013195
201423
2015307
2016103
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
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

Service brakes

110 reports7 crashes
“Passenger side, rear brake line rusted to the point where brakes failed one morning. Brake fluid leaking from rusted brake line. Lost braking pressure while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, independent shop Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2024Service brakesODI 11603033

Electrical system

29 reports2 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 121,000. It was later discovered through auto check that the mileage was 199,985.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2025Electrical systemODI 11691818

Exterior lighting

24 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2021Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11420563
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
3.8L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium 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
Genesis
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950423
Genesis
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172519$4,050468
  • Genesis
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Genesis
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    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 Genesis as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5413
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 Genesis questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis have?

3 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 Genesis problems?

Owners filed 235 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (110), electrical system (29), exterior lighting (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Hyundai Genesis at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026