2009 Hyundai Genesis Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 10 Genesis years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Hyundai Genesis ranks worst of 10 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 235 complaints, mostly brakes (127, 54%). It carries 3 recalls and is rated Avoid relative to other Genesis years.
- Complaints
- 235
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 15 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2009 Hyundai Genesis problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes127 (54%)
- Electrical System48 (20%)
- Engine30 (13%)
- Other23 (10%)
- Steering21 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (4%)
- Structure & Body8 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (3%)
- Airbags5 (2%)
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail suddenly or lose stopping power, in one case after the driver noticed an unusual sound days earlier and then rear-ended another car.
- Owners describe unintended acceleration, including one case where the accelerator jammed after swerving to avoid a collision.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a frontal crash at 50 mph, resulting in a concussion.
- Electrical fires reportedly started under the front bumper near the driver's side, in some cases while the car was being driven.
- Exterior mirror positioning was described as blocking the driver's view, contributing to multiple minor crashes.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to hold occupants in place during a rear-end collision even though headrests deployed.
2009 Hyundai Genesis recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V713000Nov 7, 2014Electrical System42,925 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Hyundai Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, to November 21, 2010, and 2011 Hyundai Equus vehicles manufactured July 31, 2010, to November 21, 2010. Due to a circuit failure, the stop lamps in the affected vehicles may not illuminate.
Risk: A following vehicle may not recognize that the vehicle is slowing or coming to a stop if the stop lamps on the vehicle do not illuminate as expected. There is an increased risk of a rear-end crash as a result.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the stop lamp switch circuit, free of charge. Hyundai issued an interim notification to owners on January 6, 2015. The recall began on March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 125.
- NHTSA 13V489000Oct 29, 2013Brakes43,500 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:fluid
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, through March 28, 2012. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).
Risk: If the module corrodes, reduced brake effectiveness may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and instruct them to bring their vehicle to a dealer for service. Hyundai will inspect the HECU module for proper operation, and will replace the modules as necessary. Hyundai will replace the factory brake fluid in those vehicles that have not previously had the factory brake fluid replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 or by email at [email protected]. Hyundai's recall number is 114.
- NHTSA 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System1,712,336 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
2009 Hyundai Genesis fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Genesis years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Hyundai Genesis reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2009 Genesis has the highest complaint index (100) of all 10 model years and ranks worst overall, with 235 complaints and 3 recalls, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Genesis years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Hyundai Genesis?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 127 complaints (54% of all complaints) and a median failure mileage of 69,700 miles.
- Does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 Genesis, covering a stop lamp switch circuit issue, brake fluid that may not protect against corrosion in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, and a related stop lamp switch replacement recall shared with other Hyundai models.
- How does the 2009 Genesis compare to other Genesis years?
- The 2009 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than every other year listed, including the 2012 (78) and 2015 (89) model years, which are also rated Avoid, while the 2014 model year is rated Best with an index of 22.