"How reliable is the 2009 Hyundai Sonata?"

"Based on 610 NHTSA complaints, the 2009 Hyundai Sonata has a median complaint mileage of 68783 miles. The most common issue is Service Brakes."

"What are common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Sonata?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata is Service Brakes, accounting for a significant portion of the 610 total complaints filed."

2009 Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 610 complaints

610

Total Complaints

68,783mi

Median Mileage

Service Brakes

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

39,750 25th Percentile

68,783 Median Mileage

100,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Service Brakes

Electrical System

Engine

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Unknown Or Other

Power Train

Vehicle Speed Control

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Body

Air Bags

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"NEW 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA UNLOCKS ALL DOORS ANYTIME CAR IS PLACED IN PARK. THIS FEATURE IS IN THE DESIGN AND CANNOT BE DISABLED. THIS FEATURE PUTS ALL PASSENGERS AND DRIVES AT RISK ANYTIME THE CAR IS STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARK, ESPECIALLY ONCE THE CRIMINALS FIND THIS OUT *TR"

"2009 HYUNDAI SONATA ALL DOORS UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN PARK. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DESIGN PROBLEM AND CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED OR CORRECTED BY DEALERS. THIS PROBLEM IS PUTTING ALL PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS AT RISK, WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN PARK ESPECIALLY ONCE THE CRIMINALS HERE ABOUT THIS DEFECT. HOW M..."

"I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED- I TOOK IT THE HYUNDAI SERVICE IN YONKERS NY TO TEST DRIVE MY NEW CAR . IT SEEMED TO ME THE CAR HAD BAD FRONT SHOCKS ABSORBERS. AFTER BEING DRIVEN BY ONE OF THEIR SERVICE MEN HE AGREED THAT SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG. I WAS TOLD TO BRING BACK THE CAR WHEN THE..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Service Brakes 64 complaints

25th: 48,335 mi Median: 66,500 mi 75th: 98,567 mi

Electrical System 57 complaints

25th: 56,500 mi Median: 81,124 mi 75th: 113,500 mi

Engine 56 complaints

25th: 78,965 mi Median: 108,300 mi 75th: 141,500 mi

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 51 complaints

25th: 65,500 mi Median: 92,625 mi 75th: 123,000 mi

Unknown Or Other 48 complaints

25th: 68,000 mi Median: 80,000 mi 75th: 95,000 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

FL: 71 NY: 56 OH: 38 TX: 36 CA: 34 IL: 33 PA: 31 AL: 27 NJ: 25 VA: 24

Who Files Complaints?

1.3%

Original Owners

98.7%

Second+ Owners

Hyundai Sonata — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1990	25	-	Automatic Transmission	0
1991	41	-	Seat Belts	3
1992	43	-	Automatic Transmission	1
1993	46	-	Automatic Transmission	1
1995	93	107,263	Frontal	17
1996	37	-	Gasoline	0
1997	74	86,000	Tank Assembly	6
1998	68	80,000	Automatic Transmission	3
1999	187	95,000	Frame And Members	25
2000	378	108,000	Frame And Members	22
2001	293	89,863	Frame And Members	34
2002	407	94,724	Frame And Members	50
2003	247	70,178	Air Bags	28
2004	285	91,138	Suspension	36
2005	217	80,000	Air Bags	44
2006	1422	73,838	Air Bags	55
2007	905	67,000	Air Bags	45
2008	554	65,000	Air Bags	24
2010	415	65,000	Body	23
2011	4582	75,702	Steering	194
2012	2254	80,000	Engine	86
2013	2602	79,000	Engine	138
2014	1061	70,000	Engine	48
2015	1611	53,758	Engine	60
2016	960	62,100	Engine	37
2017	964	53,900	Engine	46
2018	519	19,862	Engine	26
2019	182	23,000	Engine	11
2020	236	2,700	Fuel/Propulsion System	8
2021	156	24,725	Engine	11
2022	123	13,500	Power Train	14
2023	130	11,000	Fuel/Propulsion System	12
2024	61	2,000	Electrical System	3

Active Recalls (2)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Switch

Campaign 13V113000 | 01/04/2013

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Rear

Campaign 13V354000 | 12/08/2013

Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.

Extend Your Brake Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28