YearToAvoid

2009 Hyundai Elantra Engine Problems

NHTSA has 30 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Hyundai Elantra, 12% of all 253 complaints for this model year. That is #13 highest engine complaint count among 21 Elantra model years. These complaints report 9 crashes, 5 fires, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 80,000 miles.

Engine complaints
30
12% of 253
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
80,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Hyundai Elantra engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 5, 2009, latest May 25, 2024.

2009 Hyundai Elantra engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2009Dec 2012May 2014Jan 2016Jan 2018May 2019Aug 2023
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2009 to May 2024; peak Apr 2013 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Elantra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200523 (17%)
  2. 200617 (11%)
  3. 200726 (10%)
  4. 200862 (20%)
  5. 200930 (12%)
  6. 201040 (11%)
  7. 2011109 (25%)
  8. 2012161 (25%)
  9. 2013271 (21%)
  10. 2014180 (47%)
  11. 2015105 (40%)
  12. 2016123 (42%)
  13. 2017303 (40%)
  14. 2018150 (53%)
  15. 2019136 (54%)
  16. 2020117 (47%)
  17. 202125 (19%)
  18. 202213 (13%)
  19. 202322 (22%)
  20. 202413 (24%)
  21. 20254 (18%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra have engine problems?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Hyundai Elantra, 12% of all complaints for this model year, including 9 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 80,000 miles.
Which Hyundai Elantra year has the most engine complaints?
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has the most engine complaints (303), compared with 30 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.