FaultScore

2009 Hyundai Sonata body problems

41 of the 612 complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata are about the body and structure — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 72,557 miles.

C

41

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

5

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 31 75.6%
Structure 4 9.8%
Door 2 4.9%
Frame AND Members 1 2.4%
Underbody Shields 1 2.4%
SUN Visor 1 2.4%
Exterior 1 2.4%

Body & Structure across every Hyundai Sonata year

1999 37 3.5%
2000 113 10.8%
2001 71 6.8%
2002 88 8.4%
2003 39 3.7%
2004 48 4.6%
2005 30 2.9%
2006 44 4.2%
2007 22 2.1%
2008 15 1.4%
2009 41 3.9%
2010 166 15.8%
2011 74 7.1%
2012 39 3.7%
2013 53 5.1%
2014 16 1.5%
2015 53 5.1%
2016 31 3.0%
2017 37 3.5%
2018 16 1.5%
2020 16 1.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Boynton Beach, FL Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

Vehicle sat in driveway for one week while on cruise. The day of return the sonata caught on fire without any person touching the car for one week. Brother who’s house it was at was woken by neighbors at 7sm. Home had minor damage, but it could of been bad if it was in someone’s garage. Fire started in engine and console. Fire department could not find out a reason. Car was totaled. Had to rent a car to get home that was 2 hours away. Never had an issue with this vehicle in the 12 years I owned it.

NHTSA complaint #11573193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

Passenger outside door handle fell off a couple years ago. Today the internal mechanism for the driver's side door broke so door will not open from the inside.

NHTSA complaint #11480841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cranston, RI

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:SUN VISOR

The sunroof detached from the vehicle at highway speed. The sunroof was not open or otherwise in operation when it detached. A mechanic concluded that the adhesive holding the glass to the sun roof assembly failed. The sunroof assembly was completely intact after the incident and did not appear to be damaged.

NHTSA complaint #11469299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Tampa, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while attempting to open the front driver’s side door, the outside door handle detached from the vehicle. The contact also stated that all four door handles had detached from the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11432871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 168,200 miles Cayce, SC

STRUCTURE:BODY

AS I TRIED TO OPEN MY PASSENGER FRONT SIDE DOOR THIS MORNING I PULLED THE HANDLE OFF. THE PORTION OF THE HANDLE THAT CONNECTS INTO THE LATCH MECHANISM HAD SNAPPED OFF IN THE DOOR. I WOULD JUST TAKE IT IN AND GET IT FIXED, BUT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM, HAVING LOST THE PASSENGER REAR HANDLE EARLIER THIS SUMMER AND THE DRIVER'S FRONT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THERE MUST BE A DISTINCT DEFECT WITH THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE DOORS OF THIS MODEL, AND SEARCHING AROUND THE INTERNET I'VE FOUND A HANDFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR SONATAS.

NHTSA complaint #11352250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 163,881 miles Jacksonville, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACTED ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND UNLOCKED THE DOOR USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEY HYUNDAI LOCATED AT (4660-100 SOUTHSIDE BOULEVARD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216 (904) 642-6060) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE DOOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE CLIP FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,881.

NHTSA complaint #11317540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles Pine Island, MN Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL. ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR. A DEER CAME OUT OF THE DITCH, MISSED THE DEER. MY DAUGHTER SWERVED INTO THE DITCH AND LAUNCHED OVER A GRAVEL ROAD AND DID A NOSE DIVE INTO A BEAN FIELD. CRASHING THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #11246698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,115 miles Westerly, RI

STRUCTURE:BODY

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

NHTSA complaint #11217619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Dunstable, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BREAK WHEN OPENING THE DOOR TO ENTER THE CAR WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. CURRENTLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR HANDLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE HAS BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #11186578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Milford, PA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT DID NOT POWER OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT SLOWLY DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER WAS CORRODED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL ALMOST DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SURESKY HYUNDAI (2 HATFIELD LN, GOSHEN, NY 10924, (845) 294-5177) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11165582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles SAN Antonio, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

PASSENGER EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN WENT TO OPEN DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. HAD TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. CHECKED GOOGLE UNDERSTAND THIS IS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI MODELS. MANY COMPLAINTS .

NHTSA complaint #11155520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Coast, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL THE DASHBOARD IS SERVERLY CRACKING OVER THE AIR BAG AN ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. STARTED IN JULY AND GETTING WORST. I NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THE BODY OF THE CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION FOR ITS AGE. MILEAGE IS DUE TO HIGHWAY DRIVING.( I DO NOT KNOW HOW THE AIRBAG IS SETUP IN DASHBOARD BUT THERE TWO LONG CRACK ABOUT 10 TO12 INCHES APART FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND NOW ANOTHER ONE ABOUT 8 INCHES COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THAT GOING ACROSS THE DASHBOARD.)

NHTSA complaint #11142502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MANY PLACES. THESE ARE DEEP CRACKS AND MORE ARE OCCURRING. HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA complaint #11063056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Hobe Sound, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DASHBOARD FRACTURED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG. WALLACE AUTOMOTIVE IN STUART, FLORIDA 34997 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE DASHBOARD. AT THE REQUEST OF HYUNDAI, THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11039750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Tallassee, AL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT BEGAN TO COME OFF ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR 3-4 YEARS AGO. FINALLY TOOK IT TO HYUNDAI COMPLAINING THAT IT MUST BE A DEFECT SINCE: 1) NO ACCIDENTS, 2) DO NOT PARK UNDER PECAN TREES, 3) NO HAIL DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE PAINT TO COME OFF TO THE POINT THAT THE HOOD HAD ALMOST STARTED TO RUST THROUGH. COST ME $597.80 TO HAVE IT STRIPPED, REPAINTED, ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10920641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OF THE BACK DOOR, I HAVE NEVER KNOWN THE DOOR HANDLE TO JUST COME OFF THE DOOR OF A CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10860635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Merritt Island, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE 2009 SONATA HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT FRAME THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT LIVE AT THE BEACH, AND IS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS FOUND BY A MECHANIC DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. CHUNKS OF FRAME WERE FALLING OFF AS WE WERE INSPECTING THE RUST. IT IS BEING REPLACED DUE TO EMINENT, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY TIME HE HAS EVER SEEN THIS IS ON 20-25 YEAR OLD BEACH CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10840469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Brick, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT IS BLISTERED & PEELING OFF IN BIG CHUNKS. PRIMARILY THE HOOD, ROOF & TRUCK. VEHICLE IS PEARL WHITE IN COLOR

NHTSA complaint #10836766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Plantation, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR EXPOSING THE BARE METAL. THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT USE ANY PRIMER ON THE CAR, SO WHEN I APPLY TOUCH UP PAINT, IT WON'T STICK. HOW ARE THEY ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS? IT'S A FINANCIAL DISASTER FOR CONSUMERS. I SAW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE ABOUT THE PEELING PAINT YET THE COMPANY STILL GETS AWAY WITH DOING NOTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10836467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,600 miles Charolette, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME, CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR IN LINKS, AND THE REAR ASSIST ARMS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,600.

NHTSA complaint #10824785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Morriceville, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TO THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HANDLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #10818494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE CRACKS ALONG THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ UPDATED 08/03/16.

NHTSA complaint #10816499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Marble Falls, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

HYUNDAI SONATA 2009 RED WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAL BELT STAYS LIT EVEN IF NO ONES SETTING THERE OR ONLY A PURSE, OR NO ONE SETTING THER. SO I HAVE TO PUT SEAL BELT INTO LOCK EVEN WHEN NO ONE SETTING THERE. SO I HAVE TO FASTEN SEAT BELT ALL THE TIME. WHEN DRIVING CAR ALL THE TIME HAVE TO KEEP IT FASTENED. ALSO WINDOW ELECTRIC SWITCH ON DRIVER SIDE MOST TIMES DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THEN DEAL SOLD ME IT A FEW MONTHS AGO. I OPENED DOOR COVER TO SEE IF IT WAS A SWITCH PROBLEM & THERE WAS 2/12 INCHES OF DRIED DIRT IN BOTTOM OF DOOR PANEL. DEALER LARGE ONE IN SAN ANTONIO,TX, AT USED LOT SAY IT IS NORMAL. I SEEM TO THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FLOODED IN WATER HE SAY NO WAY IT NORMAL. SURE JOKES ON ME NOW PURCHASED AS IS DUMMY ME, IN LIMBO IN TX. CAR PAINT IS STARTING TO CHIP AS WELL WITH DEEP OPEN SCRATCHES WEIRD EVERY WASH SEEMS TO MAKE IT WORSE LOOKING.

NHTSA complaint #10783471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Delray Beach, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED SEVERE CRACKS NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 11/23/15*LJ UPDATED 1/14/2016*JS UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ UPDATED 04/07/17*JS

NHTSA complaint #10776594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

STRUCTURE

THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS TWO LARGE CRACKS IN IT. IT IS VERY UNSIGHTLY AND SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE CRACKS ARE BECOMING LARGER WITH TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10705445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

WE CAME HOME FROM A SHORT TRIP AND NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF OUR CAR HAD PEELED OFF IN A FEW SPOTS. SOME SPOTS LARGER THAN OTHERS. THE GREY PRIMER IS SHOWING NOW AND WE HAVE A WHITE CAR. *TR WHY IS PAINT PEELING OFF OF AN 09 HYUNDAI? SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING!!!

NHTSA complaint #10676765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,186 miles Warrenton, VA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DRIVERS SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS MADE OF ARTIFICIAL "CHROME". A FEW DAYS AGO, I OPENED THE DOOR AND GOT A SEVERELY LACERATED FINGER WHICH BLED A LOT. I WROTE TO HYUNDAI ABOUT MY INJURY. THEY SYMPATHIZED, BUT SAID THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AS MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 31,186 MILES ON IT AND IS HOUSED IN MY GARAGE, I DID NOT EXPECT TO BE INJURED BY A DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE ON A PRISTINELY MAINTAINED VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AS I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT INJURIES FROM THIS HANDLE. NHTSA HAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL FOR EARLIER MODEL HYUNDAI'S WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. HERE IS ONE OF THE MANY QUOTES THAT I FOUND.... "HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 91,000 SONATAS BECAUSE THE CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE INTERIOR HANDLE MAY WEAR, "CAUSING CRACKING OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE." NHTSA SAYS THE SHARP EDGE CAN CAUSE "LACERATION INJURIES TO ANYONE USING THE DOOR HANDLE." PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED BY THIS DEFECT. THANKS SO MUCH! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10672492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Saint James, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT JUST PEELS OFF THE CAR WHEN DRIVING. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO BODY SHOPS AND ALL 3 SAID THE PRIMER IS BAD. THIS IS CAUSING THE PAINT TO PEEL OFF TO THE METAL. HYUNDAI WILL NOT EVER LOOK AT THE CAR TO INSPECT IT FOR BAD PRIMER.

NHTSA complaint #10658602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Clemson, SC

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN IT STARTED POURING HEAVILY. AFTER REACHING HOME, HE NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TWO PLACES ON THE HOOD HAD PEELED OFF, LEAVING THE METAL EXPOSED. THE CAR BODY STARTED TO RUST WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THIS INCIDENT. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY EVALUATED THE ISSUE AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES (CLOSE TO $1100). UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, I FOUND THAT THEY DO NOT COVER PAINT FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM LEFT WITH A HUGE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE, AND BEING A STUDENT, THAT CAUSED A HUGE DENT ON MY FINANCES.

NHTSA complaint #10628844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Gaithersburg, MD 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE CHROME "WRAP", WHICH IS A CHROME COLORED COVERING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DETACHED LEAVING A RAZOR SHARP EDGE, WHICH CUT MY HAND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO USE A GLOVE OR EXERCISE CARE TO OPEN THE DOOR. ACCORDING TO REPORTS POSTED ON THE WEB, HYUNDAI HAD ISSUED RECALLS FOR EARLIER YEAR MODELS BUT HAS REFUSED TO FOR NEWER MODELS EVEN THOUGH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS IN THE NEWER MODELS AND ISN'T JUST MANIFEST IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BUT OCCURS IN OTHER HANDLES AS WELL. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE DEFECT IS NOT COVERED BY HUNDAI'S WARRANTY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS "WAY OUT OF WARRANTY."

NHTSA complaint #10621251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems

← Full 2009 Hyundai Sonata report