Passenger seat belt doesn’t click in. Miss fire Poor acceleration Exhaust leak Power lost Mechanic can’t find the problem Check engine light on
2009 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems
31 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 50,500. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 31
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 50,500
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Hyundai Sonata acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the federal safety agency received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. the federal safety agency's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in the federal safety agency's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agency?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
DP21003
What 2009 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Once the car gets slowed down and reaches 20 mph of speed by applying the brake or not. It gives a sudden jerk, which causes immediate reduction in speed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while his son was attempting to park at the car wash, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated causing the vehicle to jump the parking barrier hitting the vacuum machine. No injuries were sustained however the vacuum machine was damaged along with the front bumper was cracked and scratched. The manufacturer was notified and the vehicle was inspected at rick case (180 satellite blvd duluth ga, 30096) where no failure was determined. The failure mileage was 142,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 hyundai sonata. While reversing, the vehicle violently accelerated and struck a light pole. The contact shifted into drive and the vehicle accelerated again. The contact mentioned that the tires were spinning. After several attempts, the contact shifted into park and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was restarted and drove normally. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was unknown.
Stalls randomly and intermittently anytime and at any speed without warning. It happens while cruising on a freeway or stopped on a light.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 hyundai sonata. While driving approximately 10-15 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle independently accelerated to approximately 50-60 MPH. The vehicle crashed into a telephone pole. The air bag deployed. The contact sustained two broken legs, a broken ankle, and several broken ribs, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was extracted from the vehicle using the jaws of life. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and provided case number: 15535396. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
While driving the ESC and check engine light comes then it will only let me 'coast' about 5mph.
On 10/08/2009 my 209 hyundai sonata went into an unintended acceleration. As soon as I put the car into drive it began to accelerate. The brakes did not work and I was able to shift into neutral. I was on a narrow dirt road with little limited options as to where to steer the vehicle. I missed a boulder, garage, and tree before hitting the side of a house. The ambulance was called and I was transported to the local emergency room. I had a concussion, fractured knee along with a number of bruises and abrasions. The emts told me how lucky if was since the air bags did not deploy.. An internet search, including your website, notes these problems going back several years. Toyota had the same problem and did a recall. My injuries will exceed the limit of my insurance and I will have to purchase a car. I know how lucky I was to walk away. I am sure others had more serious injuries and higher expenses. What does it take to force hyundai to do the right thing?
Upon accelerating up an entrance ramp to the highway, car accelerated at an unreasonable rate of speed tried using brakes, but they were gone. Car hit speeds of 60/65 MPH for more than 3 miles on a turnpike. Parking brake did not work, brake pedal was down to the floor and I could not control the speed of the auto. After traveling more than 3 miles, in the shoulder, I put the gear into neutral and the car began to slow down and finally stop. Towed from turnpike to dealership. Know there have been problems with the 2006 model, but is there anything similar to my experience with the sonata 2009.
I was at the gas pump trying to ease up to get closer so the nozzle could reach my tank. In the process of easing up the car took off forward, causing the door to close my leg in the door almost causing me to loose my leg. The accelerator got stuck.
Questions about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata acceleration
Does the 2009 Hyundai Sonata have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 31 complaints about the acceleration of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 50,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Hyundai Sonata acceleration?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have the most acceleration problems?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2011 (95 complaints), 2013 (86 complaints) and 2012 (84 complaints).
Other 2009 Hyundai Sonata problems
Brakes 98Engine 62Electrical 61Driver assistance 51Transmission 41Body 40Airbags 30Steering 26Suspension 25Fuel system 23Visibility 19Lights 14Seat belts 8Locks 6Tires 6Wheels 6Seats 3
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