2009 Hyundai Sonata Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 12%of 460 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,300miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata, 12% of the 460 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,300 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2020-01, 148,000 miles“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, filed 2020-11, 135,000 miles“While driving down the street, the car started slowing down with jerking and shaking like motions which was very distracting and caused me to become afraid in the moving traffic. It was obvious that something was going wrong. Then I glanced at temperature gauge and noticed it was heating up in the red and ran hot. Now it won't run.”
NHTSA complaint #11044374, filed 2017-11, 140,000 miles“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, filed 2019-05, 97,000 miles“While driving through a deep puddle (3-4 inches), the battery light comes on as the engine stalls and I lose all power accessories. Once I restart the engine, the battery light goes out after a short time and all is good again. This has happened a few times in the last year I've had the car. I am concerned that if it happens at the wrong time, I may not be able to steer away from trouble.”
NHTSA complaint #10954232, filed 2017-02, 82,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
- 10052144Apr 1, 2013Hyundai: the throttle control (etc) body, on some vehiicles, needs to be cleaned and procedural information is being provided, due to deposits found at valve-to-bore interface…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% |
| 2023 | 28 | 32% |
| 2022 | 25 | 26% |
| 2021 | 34 | 25% |
| 2020 | 32 | 18% |
| 2019 | 87 | 54% |
| 2018 | 212 | 57% |
| 2017 | 385 | 50% |
| 2016 | 452 | 62% |
| 2015 | 629 | 55% |
| 2014 | 303 | 40% |
| 2013 | 739 | 39% |
| 2012 | 567 | 36% |
| 2011 | 968 | 29% |
| 2010 | 29 | 8% |
| 2009 | 56 | 12% |
| 2008 | 48 | 11% |
| 2007 | 41 | 6% |
| 2006 | 44 | 4% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata
98 complaintsElectrical system
61 complaintsElectronic stability control
51 complaintsOther or unknown
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
41 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology