MYRModel Year Report

2009 Hyundai Elantra

● Typical for this model
2009 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
253
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

53% of complaints

Complaints per year

1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1997 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2009 253 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 384 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2017: 767 complaints 2017 2018: 283 complaints 2019: 250 complaints 2020: 252 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1995 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2001: 315 complaints 2001 2002: 342 complaints 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2007 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2009 253 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2013: 1,312 complaints 2013 2014: 384 complaints 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2019: 250 complaints 2019 2020: 252 complaints 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2025 2026: 2 complaints
1992: 29 complaints 1992 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 78 complaints 1994 1995: 112 complaints 1996: 100 complaints 1996 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1998 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2000 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2004 2005: 137 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2006 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 253 complaints 2009 253 2010: 379 complaints 2011: 433 complaints 2012: 652 complaints 2012 2013: 1,312 complaints 2014: 384 complaints 2014 2015: 262 complaints 2016: 293 complaints 2016 2017: 767 complaints 2018: 283 complaints 2018 2019: 250 complaints 2020: 252 complaints 2020 2021: 131 complaints 2022: 101 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 54 complaints 2024 2025: 22 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026

2009: 253 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199478
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009253
2010379
2011433
2012652
20131,312
2014384
2015262
2016293
2017767
2018283
2019250
2020252
2021131
2022101
202397
202454
202522
20262

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

53% · 134 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and electric power assist system.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I have been in contact with Hyundai customer service about this issue since June 5TH and I still have not gotten anywhere.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-09

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The EPS warning light was illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-28

Air bags

17% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

March 26, 2024 Hello; Re: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring VIN# [XXX] On [XXX], I while driving on a very icy slippery road to do low temperatures and the city not salting the roads like they should have!

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-10

Couldn't stop in time to avoid rearend collision my Hyundai Elantra 09 airbag did not deploy ,the front clip was totaled. Hyundi should be held liable for my injuries which is severe neck and back pain. I need some advice on how to proceed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-04-21

I was driving a new Hyundai Elantra and the front end of the vehicle started to veer back and forth. I was waiting for the ABS to do what it was designed to do , it then pulled sharply to the right over an embankment and rolled over twice.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-01-16

Service brakes

11% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the brakes malfunctioned. The contact swerved into the shoulder lane, turned off the cruise control, and engaged the emergency handbrake.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-01

Electrical system

9% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing horn.

CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

7% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 2 MPH the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact hit a concrete wall resulting in $4,227.40 in damages. It was the third time it happened this year.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-10

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The contact was not injured during the crash.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-26

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2011-04-08Air bags11V143000 Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Elantra vehicles manufactured from July 14, 2006, through November 1, 2008. The front passenger seats in the vehicles contain a weight sensor…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the weight classification system connector to prevent contamination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expecting to…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2013-04-22Exterior lighting13V113000 Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2015-04-14Steering15V100000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010.

    Remedy: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2020-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic20V061000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 134 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 27 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V143000 · Air bags
  • Recall 13V113000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V100000 · Steering
  • Recall 20V061000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Hyundai Elantra is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.