10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,639 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #14

May 282019

Sonata

  • 72,115 miles
Passenger door handle fell off or broke off while opening door strong smell of gas only after filling car up with gas and small puddle under rear gas tank after sitting all night only happens if tank is more then 3/4 filled

- Westerly, RI, USA

problem #13

May 122019

Sonata

  • miles
Stalls randomly and intermittently anytime and at any speed without warning. It happens while cruising on a freeway or stopped on a light.

- Columbia Heights, MN, USA

problem #12

Jun 082018

Sonata

  • 101,386 miles
Intermittent stalls or attempts to stall over the past 5 years. Always stalled when the issue occurred while stationary; attempts to stall while in motion or trying to accelerate. Vehicle has actually stalled on highway. Attempts to restart where successful, however. No trouble code to solve problem but worked fine up until yesterday when the fuel pump failed altogether. Car stalled and would not start while turning in middle of road. Found out from mechanic after it wouldn't start again that it was fuel pump failure but symptoms conclude fuel pump defect from years past.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 082017

Sonata

  • 108,300 miles
While driving on a freeway at approximately 70mph, my Sonata stopped accelerating. I had to pull off the road in the middle of traffic as my car was rapidly decelerating. I turned off the ignition, and after letting it set for a few minutes, I was able to start up again and proceed without trouble. This has happened three times in since, both on a freeway and once on a side street. I am on my way to my dealer today to check this out. Also, I have checked the internet, and found that this is a common occurrence among these models.

- Mayfield Hts, OH, USA

problem #10

Jun 152016

Sonata

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was viewed by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. While the fuel pump was being replaced, the technician noticed the fuel connector had caught on fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Holly, MI, USA

problem #9

Sep 032015

Sonata

  • 70,150 miles
While pumping gas it appears to be full (when it is not even 3/4 full tank) gass spills or spurts out on floor and my feet. Very strong smell of fuel in cabin when proceed to driv and clears out after maybe 5-10 miles

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #8

Apr 012015

Sonata

  • 65,000 miles
!) check engine light has been on for almost a year..shop said it was a gas cap problem..bought new cap, not fixed..still on 2) filling car up with gas....very difficult to fill...knob keeps shutting off gas flow....once again shop has no good answer......

- Herkimer, NY, USA

problem #7

Jun 182012

Sonata 4-cyl

  • miles
Went to put fuel in gas tank it wouldnt take the gas it came back out. I thought there was a recall on this but now I cant find it.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

problem #6

Dec 022013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
After I start my car and drive it for less than one mile, my car will stall when I take my foot off of the gas pedal to slow down or stop. This usually happens when I slow/stop the car for the first time after starting.

- Poland, OH, USA

problem #5

Sep 102014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
The car would crank but not start. Had this same problem about a month ago, the car finally started after sitting awhile. This time when it happened I could not hear the fuel pump run. I determined the fuel pump was not working. When I went to remove the fuel pump I discovered the actual problem was a defective electrical connection inside the fuel tank. The plastic terminal protection inside the tank was burned through and the terminal melted. This is a very serious condition as it was inside the tank exposed to the fuel, and could have caused a fire or explosion.

- Richfield, OH, USA

problem #4

Feb 082012

Sonata

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while refueling, fuel started to spew out of the filler neck. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the vent valve canister and filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, two years later the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000 and the current mileage was 125,000.

- Monroe, NJ, USA

problem #3

Mar 302013

Sonata

  • 82,000 miles
While driving on the interstate in traffic, the check engine light and ESC light came on and it was like the gas doesn't want to go to the engine but the car didn't die and moved at no more than 5 miles an hour. This has happened several times over the past4 months and it really hasn't been an issue because normally you can shut the car off for about an hour and turn it back on and it's fine, however it is a major issue if you are unable to get your vehicle to the side of the freeway and out of harms way. It has occurred over 4 times and it has recently happened twice in one week. I took it to the dealership and they stated that Hyundai is aware of this issue and owners can either pay to get the sensor "box" cleaned out, or repaired which costs in the area of $500. They know it is the sensor "box", and that is flawed. Why should the consumer have to pay for a defect from the manufacturer.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #2

Apr 012013

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 61,000 miles
Strange gas smell when car is turned on and off. Specially after ridding vehicle and stopping car for a few and restarting. The smell comes thru air vents. Took vehicle to dealer and they stated nothing shows up in their computer. Mpg has dropped to around 24 on highway and city to around 16 mpg and this is a 4 cylinder vehicle. Have been doing some research and have located several sites stating same problem.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

problem #1

Feb 272013

Sonata

  • miles
Noticed the car does not pull up the steep hill very well. Took to dealer who said transmission oil is dirty and smells bad and it needs transmission flush, resetting of transmission shift points, and fuel system clean. I pointed out these are not per scheduled maintenance requirement and was concerned the car was causing these problems so early in its usage. Will take it for the transmission flush as that is what dealer insists on before they inform me if there is a safety issue present.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA