HYUNDAI TUCSON · model year

2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON

23 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009HYUNDAITUCSON carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 TUCSON is air bags with 5 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (2) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2009 TUCSON, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

23
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SEAT BELTS2
STRUCTURE1
VISIBILITY1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
WHEELS1
TIRES1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE1
STEERING1
SUSPENSION1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1

Recalls (1)

13V11300001/04/2013

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 Tiburo

Recent Complaints

20260216CrashAIR BAGS

my air bag light is on again , my front end was hit bad and they air bags didn't deploy and after the car was fixed the light is always on again, Hyundia can't fix it or find parts to replace it

20260216CrashSEAT BELTS

my air bag light is on again , my front end was hit bad and they air bags didn't deploy and after the car was fixed the light is always on again, Hyundia can't fix it or find parts to replace it

20241119FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Received 24T013 By email regarding car tires. And also a underbody body rust. From Thh8s agency. The car was brought into dealership. On Oct 2024 was told by a custom service rep that it was to bad off and a control arm was being order and in 3 days l would Received a call. Randy called in November 18. Stated the manufacturer denied the calm due to the year of the car and the miles And l would received a email never received a denied email

20221222SUSPENSION

I had taken my car in to the dealership for oil change i was told by the mechanic not to drive my car unless it was absolulute necessary my whole undercarriage has rusted out i am unable to find out if there was ever a recall on this matter but dont understand why this has not been brought to my attention before this last oil change i am a retiree living on a budget and this has been so hard on me i can not afford a new car

20221222STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I had taken my car in to the dealership for oil change i was told by the mechanic not to drive my car unless it was absolulute necessary my whole undercarriage has rusted out i am unable to find out if there was ever a recall on this matter but dont understand why this has not been brought to my attention before this last oil change i am a retiree living on a budget and this has been so hard on me i can not afford a new car

20191103AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE LIGHT ON MEANS THE AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED AND THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS I MUST HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS DONE WHICH WILL COST ME ABOUT $125.00 IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH A MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAG LIGHT I DON'T THINK THE REPAIR SHOULD COST ME ANYTHING. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE OF A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS IN MY VEHICLE.

Mileage: 85,000

20190625ENGINE

CAR LOSING POWER WHEN WATER FROM RAIN SPLASHES UNDER AND HITS BELT. MECH. HAS CONFIRMED SPLASH SHIELD IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO COVER BELTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAUSING POWER STEERING AND ALL TO BE LOST. IT DOES COME BACK ON. BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A FIX FOR ISSUE. HAVE SEEN ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, DEALER IS NO HELP TO ME. HOPING THIS GETS THINGS STARTED.

Mileage: 106,000

20190625STEERING

CAR LOSING POWER WHEN WATER FROM RAIN SPLASHES UNDER AND HITS BELT. MECH. HAS CONFIRMED SPLASH SHIELD IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO COVER BELTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAUSING POWER STEERING AND ALL TO BE LOST. IT DOES COME BACK ON. BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A FIX FOR ISSUE. HAVE SEEN ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, DEALER IS NO HELP TO ME. HOPING THIS GETS THINGS STARTED.

Mileage: 106,000

20170113AIR BAGS

MY AIRBAG STRAP CAME UNDONE THEY SAID IT WAS TO TIGHT. HAD TO BE DONE WHEN THE CAR WAS PRODUCED. I HAVE NO AIRBAG AT THIS TIME. HAPPY HYUNDAI WANTS ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. BUT ITS A CAR DEFECT. I HAVE CALLED CORP. TALKED TO [XXX] 2 WEEKS AGO NO RESPONSE .I ALSO CALLED THE NHTSA TALKED TO [XXX] MY COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10936608 PLEASE HELP ME.I HAVE BEEN GIVING THE RUN AROUND WAY TO LONG. WITH GRATITUDE [XXX] I CAME TO ILLINOIS FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2 MONTHS I CANT LEAVE TO GO BACK TO FLORIDA BECAUSE ITS UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE THAT'S WHERE MY HOME IS I'M STAYING AT MY DAUGHTERS. I'M 68 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE DOCTORS APPTS. I HAVE HAD TO CANC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20161220AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CLOCK SPRING ON THE AIR BAG FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

Mileage: 31,000

20151026UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION OR IN IDLE, CAR ENGAGES IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE BECAUSE THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARD (DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF GEAR.) SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENS EVEN WHEN DRIVER'S FOOT IS PRESSING AGAINST BREAK PEDAL. DANGEROUS SITUATIONS INCLUDE TURNING ON THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING THE DAY TO DRIVE OUT OF THE GARAGE IN REAR MOTION. IN THIS SITUATION IT IS COMMON THAT THE CAR MOVES ABRUPTLY BACKWARDS AND ACCELERATES DOWN THE DRIVEWAY RAMP AND TOWARDS THE SIDEWALK AND STREET. IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WALKING BY THE DRIVEWAY OR SIDEWALK, OR CARS APPROACHING THE SIDEWALK, THEY MAY BE HIT. AS DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE DESCENT OF THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE RAMP. ANOTHER VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION INVOLVING PEOPLE POTENTIALLY BEING HURT OR EVEN KILLED INCLUDES CAR STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN IDLE, WHILE PEOPLE ARE CROSSING THE STREET IN FRONT

Mileage: 89,000

20140911SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI TUSCAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND INTERFERED WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURED HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. MAILED 01/28/15*LJ

Mileage: 70,000

20140820VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE G4 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

20130618ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE STARTED THE ENGINE, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

20130523WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEM VALVE ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS CORRODED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 29,000

20130523TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEM VALVE ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS CORRODED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 29,000

20120912ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLASHED OFF AND ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THEY CAME BACK ON. I DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT THAT MUCH. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. ABOUT 1 YEAR LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. IT IS AGGRAVATING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS GO OUT. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

20120912EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLASHED OFF AND ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THEY CAME BACK ON. I DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT THAT MUCH. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. ABOUT 1 YEAR LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. IT IS AGGRAVATING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS GO OUT. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

20101010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE HORN OPERATES MOST OF THE TIME, BUT NOT ALWAYS. IT MAY BE TEMPERATURE RELATED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES, BUT THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I THINK THIS IS DANGEROUS IF I NEED TO USE THE HORN. THE DEALER DID CHANGE THE CLOCK SPRING BUT THE HORN STILL FAILS TO BLOW WHEN ACTIVATED ON OCCASION (MOSTLY WHEN IT IS COLD, RATHER THAN WARM.) *TR

Mileage: 2,000

20100408CrashAIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 41 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELLING 52 MPH DROVE OVER THE CENTER LANE CRASHED HEAD-ON WITH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE; HOWEVER, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.

Mileage: 4,000

Compare 2009HYUNDAITUCSON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON have?
The 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON has 23 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON?
Yes, the 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON?
The most-complained component for the 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON is AIR BAGS with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.