10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,273 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Hyundai Elantra engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 112021

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 17,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked she was notified that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that flames were coming from under the hood and the fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The fire department report was filed. The contact stated that prior to the failure the ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that he could not determine why the brake light was illuminated but advised that the failure could be related to a wire. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who was unable to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the independent mechanic advised her that the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that she did not receive a recall notice. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the fire department. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT)

- Blackshear, GA, USA

problem #12

Dec 292019

Elantra

  • miles
The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while his son had the vehicle parked in a garage, he smelt smoke as flames were seen coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that his son was able to exit the vehicle with no injuries before it was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated recently received email notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V061000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was unknown.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #11

May 062019

Elantra

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that after the vehicle was exited and parked in the owners garage, a fire erupted under the hood of the vehicle. A neighbor alerted the contact, the fire department extinguished the flames and provided an inspection report. A dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle yet to determine the cause of the fire. The insurance company was notified and was to investigate the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The front of the vehicle was extensively damaged because of the failure so the contact was uncertain if the vehicle may be repaired. The vehicle was still parked at the owners residence. The manufacturer was notified to determine if they may investigate the cause of the fire. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #10

Jan 252019

Elantra

  • 26,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving home on interstate and all of sudden all my dash lights came on without warning, car died. Pulled over and parked it. Didn't overheat or anything. I'm confused why now my car won't start. Or attempt to turn over. Help!!

- Clanton, AL, USA

problem #9

Dec 012018

Elantra

  • miles
Engine start vibrating at low speed

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

problem #8

Dec 182018

Elantra

  • 161,050 miles
Started the car and motor/engine caught fire. It was the morning of 12/18/18. It was parked in front of my moms house (on the street).

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #7

Sep 172018

Elantra

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 09/17/2018 I woke up around 5 am to find the Elantra fully engulfed in flames in the front end. It wasn't running, nothing left on, it had not been run for 4 hours so the engine should have been cold. No drivability problems before. Police and fire department responded, put the fire out and stated that they saw nothing suspicious about the fire and that I should check on problems with Hyundai. This car only had 70000 miles on it with a 10 year 100000 mile warrantee.I went to the dealer, they told me it was not covered without even looking at it. This car was cold, parked, nothing on, no keys in it, I don't see any reason it should have caught fire. It was a total loss. Thank you.

- Belmont, NH, USA

problem #6

Jan 012018

Elantra

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence several times. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Tallmadge, OH, USA

problem #5

Nov 272015

Elantra

  • 99,000 miles
Receive service campaign notification to apply rust-proofing materials to underbody to arrest the corrosion process. Took car to local Hyundai dealer for rust-proofing and was informed that the oil pan is rusted and needs replaced at a cost to me over $600 - I have written estimate from Hyundai dealer. Informed that oil pan needs replaced because if it fails that oil will leak out and damage\ruin engine. Told Hyundai would not cover oil pan replacement under warranty as I am not the original owner even though mileage was under 100,000 at time of service. If I was the original owner, then it would have been covered under the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage. I also have a 2010 Hyundai Elantra that received same service campaign notice for rust proofing underbody and oil pan is looking its like heading into same direction in need of replacement due to rust. This should not be happening to the oil pan even after 10 years of age.

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

problem #4

Dec 232015

Elantra

  • 113,000 miles
I hit a deer on highway 890 in rotterdam NY, spun out of control and hit the guardrail, car had damage all around, the most damage was in the front resulting in a totaled vehicle, my whole front end is gone, and no airbags deployed, we were traveling doing about 60 miles per hour

- Altamont, NY, USA

problem #3

Nov 192014

Elantra

  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sudden acceleration while in slow traffic. Seemed like it went full RPM. I held the brakes and put it in neutral. Rpms came down and I drive off. Kinda scary though.

- Wilbraham, MA, USA

problem #2

May 122014

Elantra

  • 170,000 miles
My vehicle the Elantra ( aprox sp 40mph) rear ended a Chevy Tahoe( aprx sp 30mph) my Elantra was a total loss and my lower back was injured as well as my right hand. I had to be taken from the vehicle from ems and transported to the hospital. The occupant of the Tahoe didn't receive any injury. This is the second accident in this vehicle that the air bags did not deploy. In 2011 my vehicle moving aprox 55mph struck 3 deer at once on the passenger front of the vehicle, my son experience a shoulder injury who was my passenger.

- Oroville, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 052011

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Car alarm activates at random when parked, incessant noise and work problem. Car gear stuck-stop lamp switch repaired-later recall, cd malfunction-ate disc, door sensor indicator lights stuck on, battery dies despite diagnostic tests on battery and alternator revealing no problems.

- Ashland , OH, USA

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