2009 Hyundai Genesis Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year are dominated by one theme: a brake pedal that sinks to the floor, usually linked in owner reports to the ABS/HECU unit or master cylinder rather than normal wear. Owners also describe power steering assist dropping out, brake lights that fail to illuminate, and occasional stalling or loss of throttle response. Many brake complaints are in the 60,000-90,000 mile range, and several say a fluid change performed under recall did not restore normal pedal feel.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks to the floor / long pedal travel

   • 99 complaints (42%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (95 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2021

   Owners describe pressing the brake pedal and having it travel all the way down with little or no braking, then regaining some pressure by pumping the pedal. Complaints commonly attribute the symptom to the ABS hydraulic control unit, and some report the master cylinder was replaced first without resolving it. According to complaints, dealers sometimes replaced brake fluid only, and in other cases quoted an ABS unit replacement; a few say the problem returned after the recall service was performed. Reported across a wide range from about 25,000 to over 110,000 miles, with many between roughly 60,000 and 90,000 miles, often at low speeds when stopping.

   Recall 13V4890004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the brake fluid replacement was done and whether the ABS/HECU unit has been replaced or inspected; a sinking pedal with a full fluid reservoir is the pattern owners describe. Have a shop check for stored ABS codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brakes became spongy, increased travel, and lost stopping power. I had to press the pedal all the way to the floor to avoid an accident. I have had the brake fluid replaced, but suspect that this is due to corrosion that already occurred from the faulty brake fluid and ABS module. I would appreciate any assistance in convincing Hyundai of this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10569231, filed 2014-03, 76,000 miles

   “I was driving at 45 MPH approaching an intersection and observed the traffic signal turn red. I applied the brakes and the pedal freely sunk to the floor while I had no braking power. I let up on the brake pedal and pumped the pedal and after several pumps had weak braking. I was able to stop after rolling partly into the intersection. While at a stop, I then pumped the brake pedal and noted I had braking power but the pedal would fall all the way down under continuous pressure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10558264, filed 2014-01, 31,500 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Brake lights not working / stop lamp switch and diode

   • 35 complaints (15%)
   • median 65,500 mi at 5.1 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2021

   Owners report learning from other drivers that their brake lights were not coming on when the pedal was pressed, with no warning light or other sign in the car. Complaints describe the stop lamp switch being replaced and, in some cases, the diode wiring still needing attention afterward; some owners link the symptom to the brake light switch recalls. A related report describes brake lights blinking or staying lit without the pedal applied. Reported from low mileage (under 30,000) up past 150,000 miles, without a clear mileage pattern.

   Recall 14V713000Recall 13V1130001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have someone stand behind the car while you press the brake to confirm the lights work, and ask whether the stop lamp switch and diode service under the recalls was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “No brake lights when brake applied! I was told by passing car that almost rear ended me. I was completely unaware how long it had been like that as there was no indicator light. .... Updated 10-17-13 the consumer has since traded the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10544804, filed 2013-09, 27,000 miles

   “My car won't stop as the brake pedal goes to the floor all the way down.the ABS & ESC lights come on when this happens. The brake fluid was changed in 2014 and again in 2019. A new master cylinder, front brake lines, brake light switch and diode was installed in march 2019. Took it to dealer in april 2019 and they all was ok except ESC light was on. Drove it home and less then 60 miles the brakes petal again went to the floor. Taking it back to dealer in lima, oh on may 15, 2019. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11206423, filed 2019-05, 155,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalls or loses power while driving

   • 35 complaints (15%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2024

   Owners report the engine shutting off or losing throttle response while moving, sometimes with a rough idle beforehand and sometimes with no warning lights. In some complaints the vehicle restarted after being placed in park, and in others it would not restart and was towed. Complaints mention diagnosis of an ECM fault or throttle control replacement, with one owner reporting the stall recurred after repair. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 155,000 miles, including at highway speed and in traffic.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ECM/PCM software updates described in service bulletins were applied, and request any records of throttle body or ECM replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine just shuts off while driving. It becomes difficult to steer and control. I was barely able to move to the side of the street and the car behind me almost ran into me because of my loss of power. There are no warning lights and the radio, etc. All stayed on during this event. I had to put the car in park and restart the engine.”

   NHTSA complaint #11210669, filed 2019-05, 150,350 miles

   “My car shut off/the engine lost power, while sitting in traffic. I felt a slight rough idle, then realized all my dash lights were on, and the engine was not running. I placed the car in park, and pushed the engine start button. Car started back up, but every time I stopped I had to place the car in park and keep my foot slightly on the gas to keep it from idling roughly and shutting off again. I had to do this for a half hour until I reached my destination. After setting for 4 hours the car started fine and I had not further issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11292494, filed 2020-01, 98,700 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out while driving

   • 16 complaints (7%)
   • median 65,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming heavy, typically while turning at low speed or when engine rpm drops during a stop, and say it has recurred repeatedly. Complaints mention dealers replacing the electronic power steering unit or the rack and pinion, with the problem returning afterward in some cases. One owner also reports a stored fault code that a dealer could not identify. Reported from about 25,000 miles up to roughly 155,000 miles, often in stop-and-go traffic or during low-speed turns.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the steering at parking-lot speeds and during idle-rpm turning, and ask for any service history on the power steering unit or rack; also ask about the clock spring warranty extension.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was coming to a stop in traffic, the engine RPM was dropping, and wanted to change lanes. Upon accelerating I attempted to turn the steering wheel and I lost power steering, almost collided with other vehicles and was close to being hit by oncoming traffic. This has happened many times with this vehicle. I am speaking out now because I have seen NHTSA campaign number: 15v100000 and it sounds like what my vehicle does.”

   NHTSA complaint #10691229, filed 2015-02, 25,000 miles

   “Power steering has failed while driving multiple times during the past 18 months. I have brought the car in for service at my local dealership for the same problem multiple times. The power steering has been replaced twice and the rack and pinion has been replaced but the problem persists. A fault code generated from the power steering failure but Hyundai mechanics and Hyundai corporate do not recognize the code. Unbelievable!”

   NHTSA complaint #11121117, filed 2018-08, 70,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults, weak charging and intermittent light

   • 22 complaints (9%)
   • median 65,500 mi at 5.3 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2023

   Owners describe batteries draining quickly, a weak alternator diagnosis, and intermittent failures of interior, dash and exterior lights without warning. Some complaints also mention infotainment and Bluetooth behavior, and one reports stalling with a temporary loss of electrical power that dealers could not reproduce. Scattered across the range, from a few thousand miles to over 100,000 miles, with no single mileage pattern.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check battery age and charging voltage, and test the lights, audio and Bluetooth functions; ask whether any battery drain or module software updates have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This car has electrical problems. I saw a low battery indicator light on my dashboard while driving. I replaced the battery with a new battery from auto parts store. That new battery died on one week. Had to tow my car to the mechanic. Diagnosed with a weak alternator. Not a dead alternator but a weak alternator. I was told this is common with the Genesis cars. The weak alternator caused electrical problems for the rest of the car causing weird electrical problems occasionally.”

   NHTSA complaint #11121120, filed 2018-08, 68,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated all of the electrical lights would intermittently fail without warning. The failure would include the interior lights, dashboard warning lights and exterior lighting. The dealer replaced the wiring harness on the vehicle, but the repair did not correct the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000 and the current mileage was 20,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10336675, filed 2010-06, 4,000 miles

Buying note. The brake-related complaints are the main thing to look at on this model year: confirm the fluid and HECU recall work was performed and have the pedal feel and ABS function checked. Also verify the brake lights, power steering assist and charging system before buying, since those are the other recurring themes in owner reports.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.