The Lemon Index
20082010Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,411 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota RAV4 1272009 Honda CR-V 332009 Nissan Rogue 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 13V113000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
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 5 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.
Transmission problems in every Hyundai Tucson year →
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 1K to 2K miles (2K to 3K km) on the car (5 of all 5 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.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 8.7M views · 2005–2009 Hyundai Tucson
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door409K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2007 Hyundai Tucson - With Tray | AQ1118Filterheads · 274K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank208K views
How to change diesel injectors on Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi year 2007TCX & BTL · 186K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter122K views
2001-2006 Hyundai Elantra 2004-2009 Hyundai Tucson Seized Frozen Shifter Fix SolutionThe Interior Auto Mechanic · 122K views - Brakes & ABS114K views
2008 Hyundai Tucson Rear Brake Pad Replacementfiddlingsgc · 35K views · 6 videos
Show 2 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition108K views
2005 Hyundai Tucson,crank, no start, money saving fix.Bark's Detecting Bits · 96K views · 3 videos - Steering & suspension92K views
2006 Hyundai Tucson Driver front side control arm bushing noiseWatchdog Video · 27K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
Hyundai Tucson 2004-2009: The most reliable Korean SUV or a ticking time bomb?El Weon de los autos · 19K views
2005 - 2009 Hyundai Tucson How to Diagnose Problems & Fix the Blower Motor FanAxtuo Ax · 19K views
2006 Hyundai Tucson - Alternator/Charging Problems - Found the Problem & Fixed It! - Part 2FrugalPrepper's Garage and Garden · 1K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 1
- 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 Tucson recall, all years · All Hyundai recalls
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,900–$3,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
Every Hyundai Tucson year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 21 Hyundai Tucson years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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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-tucson/?y=2009" title="Hyundai Tucson reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="629" 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-tucson/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Hyundai Tucson reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,411 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Hyundai Tucson problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (40%), visibility (20%) and body structure (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Tucson have?
1 safety recall (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 Tucson get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Hyundai Tucson have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Hyundai Tucson cost in fuel a year?
About $2,900 to $3,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Hyundai Tucson have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Tucson year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest.
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