The Lemon Index2009 Hyundai Sonata.
The 2009 Hyundai Sonata is about average by owner complaints: 107 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 111, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 22 to 25 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Sonata year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 460 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Sonata year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 36K to 105K miles on the car (374 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 47K–99K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 55K–115K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 78K–143K miles
Recalls 2
- suspension 2013
Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion o.
- lights 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.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 64 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information provided regarding installation of inhibitor switch bracket to prevent shock
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedRear control arm failure2013
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 $2550–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
I was told by the dealer on 3/6/12, that the rear brakes were seizing up and that I would need new rotors due to extreme rust and new pads after only 16,500 miles.
2009 Hyundai Sonata owner · NHTSA complaint 10450467
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 111; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Sonata year by this measure since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (30%), speed control (10%) and suspension (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have?
2 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 36,400 and 105,200 miles. The middle report was at 68,000 miles, from 374 complaints.
Does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Sonata year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works