Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-HYUNDAI-ELANTRANHTSA data synced minutes ago
2009 · Hyundai
Hyundai Elantra problems
279 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
Reliability score
7.2 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Elantra?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Steering: 140 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 51,500–101,000 mi
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Hyundai Elantra? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 140 owner reports
· tends to show around 80,012 mi · ~$700 to fix
airbags — 41 owner reports
· tends to show around 91,001 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
electrical — 20 owner reports
· tends to show around 80,946 mi · ~$850 to fix
cruise control — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 66,959 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 80,012 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — keep the link back. Preview the widget →
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Elantra· cruise control
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai elantra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 60 MPH without warning. The contact had to coast onto the road shoulder and restart the engine to regain normal functions. The failure was recurring.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Hyundai elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle independently accelerated several times without warning. In addition, while parked in a driveway, the vehicle surged with a high rate of speed and independently crashed into the driveway. The driver…
Driving around 45mph, trying to turn left and the steering locked up and the aps light came on. Took to pearson Hyundai and had checked out. Per pearson, they found a code c1290, torque sensor main signal fault. Will need a new steering column. Appr. Cost of $1600.00. Per…
Had a problem with your 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 elantra vehicles manufactured from july 14, 2006, through november 1, 2008
The front passenger air bag could deploy in crashes in which it should not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant from the deployed air bag.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective cover over the weight classification system connector to prevent contamination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expecting to begin during april 2011. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 279 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Hyundai Elantra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
The 2009 Hyundai Elantra is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 140 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 51,500–101,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 140 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,012 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Hyundai Elantra a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 279 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 80,012 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 140 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,012 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 80,012 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Elantra has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 279 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced minutes ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Hyundai/Elantra.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.