Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Hyundai Elantra has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 254 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V061000 ABS Module May Short Circuit NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V100000 Electric Power Steering Assist may be Disabled NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V113000 Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V143000 INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 133 complaints
- Air Bags 42 complaints
- Electrical System 24 complaints
- Service Brakes 18 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 18 complaints
- Engine 13 complaints
Of the 254 complaints on file, 28 report a crash and 11 a fire; across all 254 complaints, owners report 24 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Hyundai Elantra has several recalls related to crucial safety systems like brakes and steering. Owner complaints frequently cite issues with the steering, airbags, and brakes, indicating potential reliability challenges. High-frequency steering failures are especially concerning.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | very common |
| brake system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$700 | common |
| airbag system | 50,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Replace brake pads and rotors
- Inspect and replace air filters
- Flush and replace coolant
- Transmission fluid change
- Replace spark plugs
- Inspect and replace timing belt
- Regular oil and filter changes
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual steering stiffness
- Brake warning light on
- Airbag warning light on
- Vibrations while braking
- Unresponsive vehicle speed control
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.