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2009 Hyundai Accent lighting problems
moderate
Owners of the 2009 Hyundai Accent have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See lighting across all vehicles →
Of the 8 lighting complaints filed for the 2009 Hyundai Accent,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (50%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
1 (50%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 7 model years of Hyundai Accent in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
All 2 active lighting recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011
Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign131. Hyundai's number for this recall is 131. This recall is an expansion of 13V-113.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin25-BD-012H TSBNov 2025
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes, or during normal driving operation.
HYUNDAI: ROOM LAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. THE ROOM LAMP SWITCH KNOB MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE ROOM LAMP ASSEMBLY TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
lighting · 38,968 mi
· filed 12/23/2011
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai accent. The contact stated that while reversing at 2 MPH, he noticed that the brake lights were not illuminating. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileages were 38,968 updated 01/13/12*lj the dealer found the brake light switch was faulty.…
lighting · 81,592 mi
· filed 12/22/2015
Break light recall - location mount vernon, ohio - date 12-12-2015 I was driving to a christmas event and was pulled over by a state highway patrol officer due to my breaklights being out. I pulled over in the nearest parking lot and had my boyfriend look at it. He said there is a little switch behind the break area that was stuck. He flicked it a few times and it came loose and started…
lighting
· filed 11/12/2014
"Hyundai motor company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 accent. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110." I have a 2009 Hyundai accent that has had a brake light switch failure back in april 2013 and now in november 2014. In 2013 Hyundai did a supposed fix based on campaign 110 ... The "fix" has failed and again all three brake lights have gone out at once. In 2013 I…
Had lighting trouble with your 2009 Hyundai Accent?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2009 Hyundai Accent?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 76,976 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Hyundai/Accent.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.