2009 Hyundai Elantra recalls and problems

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra has 4 safety recalls and 255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
255
Crashes / fires
28 / 11
Injuries / deaths
24 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2009 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2009 Hyundai Elantra recalls

Recall 20V-061: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 4, 2020 · 476,111 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

Recall 15V-100: Steering

Reported Feb 23, 2015 · 204,768 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.

Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.

Recall 13V-113: Exterior Lighting

Reported Apr 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor Company

Problem: 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, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. 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, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 recall campaign number is 110.

Recall 11V-143: Air Bags

Reported Mar 15, 2011 · 188,697 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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 designed to deactivate the right frontal airbag when occupants of certain weights occupy the seat. The electrical connector for the weight sensor is located under the center console, between the front seats. Under certain circumstances the connector could become contaminated and malfunction such that the front passenger airbag will deploy regardless of the weight of the occupant.

Risk: The front passenger air bag could deploy in crashes in which it should not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant from the deployed air bag.

Fix: 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 begin during april 2011. Owners may contact hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.

2009 Hyundai Elantra problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Steering136
Air Bags42
Electrical System24
Vehicle Speed Control18
Service Brakes18
Engine13
Structure11
Unknown or Other11
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Power Train8
Tires3

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 9
  • Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System — 2
  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 1
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
  • Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear — 1
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 1
  • Steering › Column — 1
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 78,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2009 Hyundai Elantra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · at 209,000 miles · reported Oct 30, 2026
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and stationary, the vehicle was started and the steering wheel was very stiff. The contact originally thought that the issue was battery related; however, replacing the battery failed to resolve the issue. Due to the failure, the EPS and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V100000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the part was not available.…
Service Brakes · reported Sep 30, 2026
The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) module has failed due to moisture intrusion that caused an internal electrical short circuit, destroying the ABS Primary Pressure Sensor. A few days after the vehicle was parked outside during heavy rain, I was driving on a busy highway when it suddenly lost engine power. During this emergency, I had to perform heavy braking and maneuver to the shoulder without engine assist. At the same time, the ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems suddenly disabled completely. This failure is consistent with the safety defect described in NHTSA Campaign…
Steering · at 46,000 miles · reported Sep 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated during the failure. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to continue driving, although the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, the mechanic associated the failure with NHTSA…
Steering · reported Sep 3, 2026
I am reporting Hyundai’s failure to complete open Campaign 127/NHTSA Recall 15V-100 on my 2009 Hyundai Elantra. I acquired the vehicle from a family member in late July 2026 after the previous owner died and the vehicle was delayed in probate. I sought recall service immediately after legal transfer. Component/system: The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) failed. Power steering assist is completely unavailable. The EPS warning lamp is illuminated and the EPS module reports DTC C1604. The vehicle and EPS system remain at [XXX] Hyundai in [XXX] and are available for inspection upon request.…
Steering · reported Aug 29, 2026
Power steering assist motor stopped working, leaving the car with hard manual steering. Dealer inspection confirms the issue across several year models, inclding my 2009. There were 2 other year models with the same issue in their shop with mine that day. One was 2018. One was a 2023. Car is very difficult to steer around curves at any speed. Warning lamp on dash says "EPS".

Other Hyundai Elantra years

Compare all Hyundai Elantra years · All Hyundai models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra: 20V-061 (service brakes, hydraulic), 15V-100 (steering), 13V-113 (exterior lighting), 11V-143 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners report steering problems most often (136 reports), followed by air bags (42). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 78,000 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.