Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Hyundai Sonata problems
Owners filed 460 complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata with NHTSA between Aug 2008 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (64).
Complaints
460
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
21
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
26
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes64
- Electrical system61
- Engine56
- Electronic stability control (esc)51
- Power train41
- Structure40
- Service brakes, hydraulic34
- Vehicle speed control31
- Air bags30
- Steering26
- Suspension25
- Exterior lighting14
- Fuel/propulsion system14
- Visibility/wiper11
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
12
24
38
28
65
49
45
55
33
23
27
20
12
7
5
4
4
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2011 | 38 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 65 |
| 2014 | 49 |
| 2015 | 45 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Service brakes
64 reports
“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. Window electric system won’t let windows go up and down and had to make a latch pull string to open driver door. Passenger door will not open at all and no handle and is a dangerous situation. Break switch not being replaced would have cause an electrical fire and is a complete dangerous vehicle even after being inspected less than a week ago”
Electrical system
61 reports3 fires
“Engine leaking oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover or leaking from the valve cover’s gasket onto the alternator. A sufficient amount of oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven with a disabled charging system, the engine can shut off, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Engine
56 reports2 crashes3 fires
“Oil Leak on Alternator Engine leaking oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover or from the valve cover’s gasket onto the alternator. An unknown amount of oil damaged the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven with a disabled charging system, the engine can shut off, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Electronic stability control (esc)
51 reports
“WAS DRIVING ON ACCESS ROAD AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED TO STALL- UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD ON WURZBACH PARKWAY. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND HAD CAM SHAFT, CRANKSHAFT SENSORS REMOVED AND REPLACED. HAD $700 OF OTHER WORK DONE AND CAR WORKED GREAT FOR 2 WEEKS. UNFORTUNATELY TODAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. LUCKILY I GOT TO SAFETY BUT COULD'VE BEEN KILLED IF I WASN'T SO LUCKY... PRETTY RIDICULOUS PROBLEM TO HAVE ESPECIALLY AS SO MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM...”
Power train
41 reports3 crashes
“We purchased this vehicle used 9/2022. A week later it began to jump upon accelerating and slowing down. We took it in and they said it was the power train control module and our warranty would not cover it. So it would cost us around $1600. We can’t afford that. We have only driven it a few times since. We were parked in front of a curb and the car accelerated us into a curb. Now, the ESC OFF, ABS, and engine light are illuminated. This is not a. It also wear and tear issues, as I’ve seen many others posting similar experiences. Our car is an ‘09 with almost 90,000 miles on it.”
Structure
40 reports1 crash1 fire
“Vehicle sat in driveway for one week while on cruise. The day of return the sonata caught on fire without any person touching the car for one week. Brother who’s house it was at was woken by neighbors at 7sm. Home had minor damage, but it could of been bad if it was in someone’s garage. Fire started in engine and console. Fire department could not find out a reason. Car was totaled. Had to rent a car to get home that was 2 hours away. Never had an issue with this vehicle in the 12 years I owned it.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.