Model year record

2009 Hyundai Accent recalls & problems

The 2009 Hyundai Accent has 2 safety recalls and 101 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (27 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints101filed by owners

Crashes · fires9 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

2009 Hyundai Accent in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingSep 8, 2015

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 15V56600099,500 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingApr 1, 2013

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 13V1130001,712,336 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Hyundai Accent 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2009 Hyundai Accent Hatchback 3-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2009 Hyundai Accent NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Accent

29mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Accent

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 35 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Air bags	27	4	79,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	13	1	41,500 mi
Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch; Brake lights	12	0	68,500 mi
Service brakes	12	0	74,000 mi
Power trainManual transmission	9	0	70,000 mi
Electrical systemHorn; Ignition › Switch	9	0	75,000 mi
Engine	6	0	76,000 mi
Unknown or other	6	0	77,900 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	5	0	27,700 mi
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing	5	0	—
Visibility	5	0	79,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	4	2	45,900 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
Brake Light Switch broke ,Brake light won't turn off
Aug 1, 2025
Engine
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 contactâs 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
May 18, 2023 · 93,000 miles
Service brakes
ABS module leaking fluid
Mar 2, 2023
Air bags
Air bag light on at 146018 miles
Jan 9, 2022
Unknown or other
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.
Dec 2, 2021
Service brakes
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
Oct 1, 2020 · 129,274 miles
Electrical system
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!
Jul 1, 2020 · 128,000 miles
Engine
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.
Dec 25, 2019 · 160,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.