Skip to content
Hyundai TucsonModel year report

2009 Hyundai Tucson Problems

Complaints
18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
29,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Hyundai Tucson (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Tucson. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and seat belts (2). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 69% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 29,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 40 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Air bag light stays on. Hyundai dealership says that the light on means the air bags are disabled and the air bags would not deploy if the light is on. The dealership says I must have the diagnostic tests done which will cost me about $125.00 if this is a problem with a module that controls the air bag light I don't think the repair should cost me anything. This concerns me because of a safety issue for myself and others in my vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11277755, filed 2019-11, 85,000 miles

Electrical system: “I was driving at night and the dash board lights flashed off and about a minute later they came back on. I don't drive at night that much. About 6 months later it did it again. About 1 year later it did it again. It is aggravating when you are driving and the dash board lights go out.”

NHTSA complaint #10475186, filed 2012-09, 1,000 miles

Seat belts: “my air bag light is on again , my front end was hit bad and they air bags didn't deploy and after the car was fixed the light is always on again, Hyundia can't fix it or find parts to replace it”

NHTSA complaint #11718340, filed 2026-02

Body and structure: “There is a leak in the filler necks of the Hyundai Tucson se model I just purchased. The dealer said this was how the windshield washer plastic container was made. The windshield washer fluid leaks out onto the garage floor when filled to the top of the filler neck.”

NHTSA complaint #10265494, filed 2009-04, 1,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

69% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,000 and 70,000 miles.

38%0–100%10–2531%25–508%50–7515%75–1008%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 29,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2010320132015201720222026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Hyundai Tucson. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Tucson · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 17.9% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Hyundai Tucson version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Tucson 2WD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202522$3,050
Tucson 2WD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202622$3,050
Tucson 2WD2.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350
Tucson 4WD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual192421$3,200
Tucson 4WD2.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182320$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Hyundai Tucson → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 40 bulletins →

Other model years of the Hyundai Tucson

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026641,6825528Too new to compareToo new
20252956,5006528Too new to compareToo new
20249919,0004528Too new to compareToo new
202313617,12024–52881 · MoreToo new
202238826,10034–529100 · MoreRising
20218026,972152532 · FewerRising
20201798,600152572 · MoreStable
201938521,400152694 · MoreStable
201839931,962152665 · MoreStable
20171,09526,2533527100 · MoreStable
20161,62629,7505527100 · MoreFalling
201522969,336242525 · FewerFalling
201420278,605242518 · FewerFalling
201326678,000342535 · FewerStable
201225583,000342550 · TypicalStable
201112472,1005—2549 · TypicalRising
20105945,6024—2619 · FewerStable
20091829,0001—22—Stable
20084344,9521—220 · FewerStable
20076588,0005—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200613565,0005—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200518557,0008—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Hyundai Tucson model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Hyundai Tucson have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Tucson as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Hyundai Tucson is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2009 Hyundai Tucson been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Hyundai Tucson get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Hyundai Tucson (Tucson 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Hyundai Tucson reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 29,000 miles and the middle half falls between 2,000 and 70,000 miles; 69% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.