2009 Hyundai Accent problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (24) · Visibility/Wiper (13) · Service Brakes (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Accent model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
86 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2015-09-08 · campaign 15V566000 · 99,500 vehicles
Defect: 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
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 Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V113000 · 1,712,336 vehicles
Defect: 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, m
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.
Service bulletins (41)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Exterior Lighting 2025-11-06 · 25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (drl), or fog lamp. this tsb illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. lamp assembly replacement is not necessary
Showing the 6 most recent of 41 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-10 · Service Brakes“brake light switch broke ,brake light won't turn off…”
2023-05-24 · Engine · 93,000 mi“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 contact’s girlfriend then coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed …”
2022-01-09 · Air Bags“air bag light on at 146018 miles…”
2021-12-03 · 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 …”
2020-10-01 · Service Brakes · 129,274 mi“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…”
2020-09-09 · Electrical System · 128,000 mi“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 pro…”
2020-03-15 · Engine · 160,000 mi“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.…”
2020-02-15 · Suspension“i was interested in this car but before purchasing i took it to firestone for a pre-purchase inspection. one of the repairs needed was a cv axle. it was popping when you make turns and visibly leaking grease. the dealership refused to make any repairs without drastically increasing the price. essentially, they would make more money selling this…”
2020-02-14 · Air Bags“2009 hyundai accent. consumer writes in regards to front passenger side airbags. *ld the consumer stated the airbag light was illuminated.*js…”
2019-12-09 · Unknown Or Other · 85,000 mi“when the car is started, the air bag light turns on and won't turn off. restarted several times since and the air bag light still stays on. another issue that i never reported is both driver and passenger sun visors won't stay up. i replaced the driver side, but this is very distracting to a driver to have the visor drop downand feel this shou…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.