2009 Hyundai Tucson Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Hyundai Tucson has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 0, ranking 21st out of 21 model years (least complained-about). NHTSA lists 18 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive recalls, though the verdict is capped to Good because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Tucson years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 18
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2009 Hyundai Tucson problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags6 (33%)
- Engine3 (17%)
- Electrical System2 (11%)
- Seat Belts2 (11%)
- Structure & Body2 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (11%)
- Brakes1 (6%)
- Fuel System1 (6%)
- Other1 (6%)
- Steering1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal crashes despite significant vehicle damage, with the warning light staying on afterward even after dealer repairs.
- Sudden unintended acceleration occurred at low speeds under 15 mph, requiring heavy force on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, reportedly recurring multiple times.
- The horn intermittently failed to sound, especially in cold weather, even after the dealer replaced the clock spring.
- Dashboard lights flickered off briefly while driving at night, recurring roughly once every six months.
- Tire valve stems corroded on all four tires, causing a flat with no advance warning to the owner.
- The cruise control malfunctioned due to a sensor issue, and the problem returned even after a dealer repair.
2009 Hyundai Tucson recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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 Tucson fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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 Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Tucson has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 0 and only 18 complaints on file, ranking 21st (lowest) among 21 model years.
- What problems does the 2009 Hyundai Tucson have?
- The top problem area is Airbags, making up 33% of complaints, including cases where airbags did not deploy in crashes. Engine issues account for 17%, including unintended acceleration reports.
- Does the 2009 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 Tucson, covering the stop lamp switch, and none of the recalls are do-not-drive recalls.
- Why is the 2009 Tucson's verdict capped at Good instead of higher?
- NHTSA caps model years 2005-2009 at Good because complaint records for those years are less complete, not because of the complaint data itself.