The Lemon Index
20101st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: speed control
27 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota Avalon 1362009 Chevrolet Impala 732009 Nissan Maxima 124
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Hyundai Genesis
- Brakes: ABS module / pump23 complaintsmostly at 62,000–79,000 miles (101,000–127,000 km)
- Engine stalling12 complaintsmostly at 38,000–100,000 miles (61,000–161,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 235 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,700 and 33,000 miles (14,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V713000 (lights), 13V489000 (brakes) and 13V113000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Hyundai sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “To update the transmission control module (tcm) with the most recent calibration for vehicles”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hyundai's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 27 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 33K miles (14K to 53K km) on the car (25 of all 27 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While the vehicle was idling or in low rpm it would start to sputter as if it was going to stall. I returned the vehicle to the dealer and it was a fault throttle sensor.
2009 Hyundai Genesis owner · NHTSA complaint 10390036
More owner reports
Tilt steering wheel will not go up which causes me the inability to read the tach, speed and idiot lights.
NHTSA complaint 10395233
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- To update the transmission control module (tcm) with the most recent calibration for vehicles
- Steering column tilt and telesope switch removal and unit replacement
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Lights · recall issued 2014
Due to a circuit failure, the stop lamps in the affected vehicles may not illuminate.
- Brakes · recall issued 2013
The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).
- Lights · recall issued 2013
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Hyundai Genesis recall, all years · All Hyundai recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake hydraulic control module failure2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
Every Hyundai Genesis year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-genesis/?y=2009" title="Hyundai Genesis reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/hyundai-genesis/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Hyundai Genesis reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Hyundai Genesis reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 120; 100 is average, lower is better). The Hyundai Genesis year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Genesis problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (37%), steering (19%) and electrical (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Hyundai Genesis problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,700 and 33,000 miles (14,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis have?
3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Hyundai Genesis year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works