2009 Hyundai Accent: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 101 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (26% of complaints); the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact's girlfriend then coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000”Owner report · Engine · May 2023
“The rear windshield shattered for no reason. Because of the tint we had installed it stayed intact but you can't see through it. The car is in my driveway if you want to see it, but I have an appointment for Safelite to repair it on Monday, Dec 6, 2021. No, it has not been inspected by the police or anyone else. Safelite will be able to tell what happened when they come out. My husband was at work and the car was parked, when he came out to get in that is when he noticed it. There was no one else near where he parked his car and no evidence of anyone being near the car.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2021
“My brake lights work then they dont I have replaced fuses bulbs I dont know what else to check they was working yesterday today I was told my brakes light wasnt working after almost getting rear ended. I was stopping at a red light. This isnt the first time it has happened”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“The passenger side door lock stopped working about two months ago. Can not unlock the door manually inside or with a key outside or with remote. Despite the age of the vehicle or warranty, this is without a doubt a serious safety issue, and the, NHTSA, should have already have had ordered a mandatory recall, given hundai motors is aware of this problem and has not acted on its own. Given the,NHTSA's record on recalls ( reactive rather than pro active ) based on the number of deaths required, any mandated recall is highly unlikely...the n in NHTSA, best represents neglect!”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2020
“2009 hyundai accent. Consumer writes in regards to front passenger side airbags. *ld the consumer stated the airbag light was illuminated.*js”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
“The car will stall while running then will turn over but not start for a brief period of time. It has done this while sitting at a red light or in motion rounding a corner.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2019
“When the car is started, the air bag light turns on and won't turn off. Restarted several times since and the air bag light still stays on. Another issue that I never reported is both driver and passenger sun visors won't stay up. I replaced the driver side, but this is very distracting to a driver to have the visor drop downand feel this should be considered a safety concern. The rest of the information is about the air bag light being on, not the visors.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
“Air bag warning light for passenger seat-ocs---note many other 2009 hyundai accent have been recalled for passenger air bag issues--also 2008/9/10/11/12,etc-why not this one???”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“Air bag light came on one day. And its on constantly. I called customer service and they dont care. I believe hyundai is the least trustworthy brand for car and should not be sold in us market.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“My car misfired and after that started to sputtering when I idol, slow down or speed up. I got new plugs put in and put some dry gas in tank.still sputters when in idle or slowing down. Check engine light blinks and then stays on.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position.
Remedy: 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. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Accent by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Hyundai Accent reliable?
NHTSA has 101 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Hyundai Accent. The most complained-about area is air bags (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Hyundai Accent problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Hyundai Accent have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.