2009 Hyundai Sonata engine problems
56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2009 Hyundai Sonata — 12% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Once the car gets slowed down and reaches 20 mph of speed by applying the brake or not. It gives a sudden jerk, which causes immediate reduction in speed.”
filed Jan 28, 2026
“Oil Leak on Alternator Engine leaking oil from the front cylinder bank’s valve cover or from the valve cover’s gasket onto the alternator. An unknown amount of oil damaged the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the…”
filed Sep 3, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
23-EM-005H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 13, 2023Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.
22-EM-010H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 28, 2022
Engine problems in other Sonata years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sonata | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 Sonata | 26 | 31% |
| 2022 Sonata | 24 | 26% |
| 2021 Sonata | 34 | 27% |
| 2020 Sonata | 30 | 18% |
| 2019 Sonata | 83 | 53% |
| 2018 Sonata | 206 | 56% |
| 2017 Sonata | 382 | 50% |
| 2016 Sonata | 444 | 62% |
| 2015 Sonata | 614 | 54% |
| 2014 Sonata | 299 | 40% |
| 2013 Sonata | 728 | 38% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2009 Hyundai Sonata
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.