62 of the 612 complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata are about the engine — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 99,000 miles.
62
Complaints
2
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
Once the car gets slowed down and reaches 20 mph of speed by applying the brake or not. It gives a sudden jerk, which causes immediate reduction in speed.
NHTSA complaint #11714094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Engine leaking oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover or leaking from the valve cover’s gasket onto the alternator. A sufficient amount of oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven with a disabled charging system, the engine can shut off, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA complaint #11684675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Oil Leak on Alternator Engine leaking oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover or from the valve cover’s gasket onto the alternator. An unknown amount of oil damaged the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is continually driven with a disabled charging system, the engine can shut off, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA complaint #11684677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
5/18/24 in the afternoon, driving the car on freeway. the car lost power. AC stopped. Heat and check engine lights came on. Pulled car to shoulder. Driver’s window was foggy. Smoke coming from front. Exited the car. Flames seen underneath front of car and passenger compartment. Smoke worsened and within minutes 10 foot high flames engulfed the car. Fire department had to extinguish the flames. And California Highway Patrol blocked off several lanes. The vehicle totally was incinerated. I filed a police report number 240518LA2144. I do not have the report yet. It is not ready. It was filed with the California highway patrol.
NHTSA complaint #11591384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
ENGINE
Valve cover gasket leaks and oil leaks on to the alternator which can cause the alternator to fail and the battery to not maintain a charge and the car can stall and then not start. This is the same exact problem problem that is in your recall on 2007-2012 Veracruz Recall number 20V705000 & 14V415000 And 2007-2009 Santa Fe vehicles have the same issue and Service Campaign 936 SB-10058931-4495 (TSB# 15-01-031).
NHTSA complaint #11513832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of her father. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer then diagnosed that the gasoline needed to be pumped out. The repair was completed; however, the failure recurred. The battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for 3 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The dealer stated the car needs a new engine.
NHTSA complaint #11498291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Car was making a loud ticking noise while running and increased when accelerating. Also would shut off while accelerating. Auto shop ran a diagnostic and said there is a rod bearing failure.
NHTSA complaint #11452289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started and driven to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
NHTSA complaint #11445306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST.
NHTSA complaint #11378642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HIS SON ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S SON COASTED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11378355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING POP INSIDE THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. I LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND I HAD ALMOST GOTTEN HIT BY SEMI WHILE ROLLING TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC SHOP SAID THAT'S MY ENGINE ROD BEARING WAS BROKEN. SAD SINCE THIS IS MY FIRST VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11373659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING ON ACCESS ROAD AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED TO STALL- UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD ON WURZBACH PARKWAY. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND HAD CAM SHAFT, CRANKSHAFT SENSORS REMOVED AND REPLACED. HAD $700 OF OTHER WORK DONE AND CAR WORKED GREAT FOR 2 WEEKS. UNFORTUNATELY TODAY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. LUCKILY I GOT TO SAFETY BUT COULD'VE BEEN KILLED IF I WASN'T SO LUCKY... PRETTY RIDICULOUS PROBLEM TO HAVE ESPECIALLY AS SO MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM...
NHTSA complaint #11364712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CAR CUT OFF TOOK ALL I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK TO COME GET ME TOOK TO A GARAGE AND THEY INFORMED ME I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #11350861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. COULD HARDLY CONTROL THE STEERING. PULLED OVER AND WAITED A MOMENT AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN. AFTER TWO MINUTES THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. MECHANIC SAID TO BRING IT STRAIGHT TO HYUNDAI AND DEMAND A NEW ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. VERY DANGEROUS TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11330215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR ENGINE JUST DIED. I COULDN'T STOP AND RAN THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER THAT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED UP.
NHTSA complaint #11328995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY UNTIL YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES AFTER GOING HIGH SPEEDS IT JERKS. AT STOPS IF THE CAR ISN'T IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE STUTTERS WE'VE REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR 3 TIMES NOW AND THAT'S THE CODE THAT COMES UP EVERYTIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER THE JERKING. WE ALSO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS HOPING IT WOULD HELP THE SHAKING AT STOPS AND IT DIDN'T.
NHTSA complaint #11300212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE P0014 CODE APPEARED AND THE CAM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VIVID AND RR VIVID SOLENOIDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A FULL SERVICE WAS COMPLETED, INCLUDING FLUSHING THE ENGINE WITH CLEANSER AND CHANGING THE OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT JIM BURKE HYUNDAI (1424 5TH AVE N, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203, (205) 386-959). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM BURKE HYUNDAI WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND CODES: P0013 AND P0011 (CVVT AND ASSY NOT HOLDING THE CAMSHAFT TIMING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,930.
NHTSA complaint #11277295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
ENGINE
TAKATA RECALL ON JULY 27, 28 2019 THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL DRIVING SOUTH ON I 75 AND LATER ON THE STREETS. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR IT DROVE ALONG OK. DURING OUR RETURN TRIP, THE CAR STALLED AGAIN DRIVING NORTH ON I 75 , AND WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY SECONDS BEFORE A 18 WHEELER PASSED US WITHIN LESS THAN A FOOT BETWEEN US. ALL FIVE US COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WE WERE LUCKY TO FIND A NATIONAL REPAIR SHOP OPENED ON A SUNDAY WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR( THE CAR HAS 54,000 MILES ) . THE PART WAS REPLACED AND AFTER 4 HOURS WE WERE ON OUR WAY, MINUS $400 PLUS DOLLARS. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS CONTINUES TO BE AN UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM -THAT THIS SENSOR MUST BE RECALLED- AND THE PUBLIC MADE AWARE OF THE DANGER.
NHTSA complaint #11241318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. ALSO, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART. ADDITIONALLY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO HERITAGE HYUNDAI TOWSON (801 YORK RD, TOWSON, MD, 877-387-5495) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #11231017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
AS I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES AND IT WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. THIS WAS ON A NARROW TWO WAY STREET. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO SAID IT NEEDS A USED MOTOR PUT IN IT FOR $4600 AS IT HAS "AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM" WITHOUT GOING IN TO SPECIFICS. ENGINE HAD 97,000 MILES AND CAR WAS WELL-MAINTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #11210441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ENGINE OIL LEAKS SINCE 2 YEARS AGO
NHTSA complaint #11202792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ..*BF *BF *TR
NHTSA complaint #11139503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE EMISSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHTOWN HYUNDAI (3675 SHERIDAN DR, AMHERST, NY 14226, (716) 992-6536); HOWEVER, THE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME. THE DEALER PERFORMED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL REPAIRS TO THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,633.
NHTSA complaint #11128022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN I SLOW DOWN MY CAR JERKS.
NHTSA complaint #11115046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "ESC OFF" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FORWARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. PACIFICO HYUNDAI IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11103074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY, THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS, AND THE TIMING CHAIN WERE ALL FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #11101431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE #3 BEARING SPUN CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO BE ABLE TO RUN. SIMILAR TO THE 2011 RECALL. NOW CAR HAS A ROD KNOCK.
NHTSA complaint #11060694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11057319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.