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2009 Hyundai Accent Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Hyundai Accent has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Sun visor falling out of position while driving.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Hyundai Accent.

Reported to NHTSA

Sun visor falling out of position while driving

VISIBILITY/WIPER

17 NHTSA complaints · 2012-12 → 2017-12

“WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES PER HOUR ON SIX LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, I ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE SUN VISOR IN THE FULL UP (OUT OF THE WAY) POSITION. IT MADE A STRANGE NOISE AND FELL ALL THE WAY DOWN IN FRONT OF MY FACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10629516
“2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR JUST WONT STAY IN UP POSITION. MY CAR HAS VERY FEW MILES FOR BEING A 2009 MODEL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I AM A MALE AND NEVER USE THE SUN VISOR FOR THE MIRROR OR THE SUN BECAUSE I ALWAYS WERE SUN GLASSES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10594147
“WHILE DRIVING, I PULLED DOWN THE SUN VISOR TO SHIELD MY VISION FROM THE SUN. I HEARD A STRANGE CRACKING NOISE AND THE SUN VISOR BECAME VERY FLOPPY. IT WILL NO LONGER STAY IN THE UP POSITION, AND THIS POSED A VISIBILITY PROBLEM, AND SO I WAS FORCED TO REMOVE THE SUN VISOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10487650

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake light switch failure tied to recall campaign 110

EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES

13 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2025-10

“"HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 ACCENT. HYUNDAI'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 110." I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT THAT HAS HAD A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE BACK IN APRIL 2013 AND NOW IN NOVEMBER 2014”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10654333
“THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS FOUND THAT I HAD A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10761693
“I OWN TWO HYUNDAI ACCENTS, A 2008 AND THIS, A 2009. NOW BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BECOMING INOPERATIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10496120

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission hesitation and difficulty shifting gears

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2016-09

“I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH SHIFTING INTO GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10524895
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10523896
“WHILE GOING 65 MPH CAR SHIFTED INTO LOWER GEAR ON ITS OWN. WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK. HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES SINCE THEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10520515

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal traveling to the floor from fluid loss

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2023-05

“THE BRAKES LINES (BOTH FRONT AND REAR) FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A 4 LANE ROAD (SPEED LIMIT 35MPH) WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN I WAS STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10761292
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10511724
“THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD SINK TO THE FLOOR, WHEN IT WAS APPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430968

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag occupant-classification sensor light

AIR BAGS

21 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2022-01

“THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES, YET THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE ERROR AS B1448 OCS. THE MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WIRING HARNESS UNDERNEATH THE SEAT, OR THE CONTROL MODULE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11078817
“PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY AIR BAG SENSOR DEFECT. SRS INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DTC CODE B1 448 OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAT DEFECT. ENTIRE SEAT CUSHION WITH SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WAS NO DAMAGE OR ABUSE TO SEAT, VERY LOW USE AND MILEAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10883583
“IN/ABOUT 11/13/2014 THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED AND STAYED IT. DEALERS OPTION WAS TO CHARGE FOR OBTAINING THE CODE AND POSSIBLY BILL AS MUCH AS $1,400 TO REPLACE THE SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10785409

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags failing to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2015-10

“MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT AND REAR ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE. MY SON WAS DOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND NOT ONE AIRBAG IS HIS CAR DEPLOYED. HIS CAR WAS INOPERABLE AND WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10525362
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10783261
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE, CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED OVER TWICE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE WAS NOT INJURED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10375133

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration while braking

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

4 NHTSA complaints · 2011-01 → 2018-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11075589
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN SPEED BUT FAILED TO COME TO A STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10394317
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED IN THE CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10379704

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

111 crashes 1990–2024

How the 111 occupant deaths break down

81

driver deaths

30

passenger deaths

111

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Hyundai Accent reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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