10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,387 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Hyundai Elantra brakes problems

brakes problem

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2009 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #16

Apr 122024

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

February, 2024 - brakes "soft" at times, seems not catching unless stepped on almost to the floor. I brought it to the dealership same day. Since I did not have an appointment, a test drive was done and was told it was working fine and let them know if the brake warning lights will turn on. No record of this was noted. March, 2024 - I had to bring it back because the brakes feel like it will quit as I have to really step on the pedal to the floor before the car will slow down. The master cylinder was changed. Multi-point inspection was done. I got the car back March 14, 2024. April 12, 2024 - I had to bring it back because of the brake and ABS lights on the instrument panel lighted up. I was told it's the HECU that's the problem. I had to drive back the car to home because of the quoted cost of $3,266.58 estimate that I have to make a decision of. This was on April 23, 2024. I was told that the ABS module may not work in event of inclement weather or quick stops. A multi-point inspection was done prior to release of vehicle. I never received a recall on the Hyundai HECU. It was only when I researched it after I got the car back. I made it known that I want to be sure I will not get in an accident due to the brakes not working. I was informed that I can drive it but be mindful of the ABS module not working in cases as noted, that the lights were alerts but could be a problem later on. What is my recourse since I did not receive any recall notice? I was trying to fill up the complaint form and it said that the car is impacted by the HECU complaint. it will not let me complete the form. It was frozen on the reimbursement requested. The dealership never did inform me of the recall. I bring this car to this dealership for maintenance and repairs.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #15

Dec 012023

Elantra

  • miles
For the past month I have broke down multiple times. Used all my aaa tows. Everything turns off while driving 60mph with kids in the vehicle. Absolutely no power steering. I haven-??t had interior lights, radio etc in 6 months. 8 belts since March. I-??m a single mother stranded again freezing

- Altamonte Springs , FL, USA

problem #14

Apr 212022

Elantra

  • miles
ABS HECU unit has failed, thus posing a safety risk. All brake lights (ABS and warming brake lights), in addition to Check Engine light are illuminated on dash. Faulty relay recall was taken care of in timely manner (recall 188), but now fires are starting in other vehicles due to failed HECU unit (which dealership and independent mechanic has confirmed that I have). More recalls for earlier Hyundai years need to be included in recall 218 or a new recall implemented to avoid cars catching fire due to failed HECU (my car has not caught fire as of the time of this report).

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA

problem #13

Apr 262009

Elantra

  • 23,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #12

Oct 112021

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked she was notified that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that flames were coming from under the hood and the fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The fire department report was filed. The contact stated that prior to the failure the ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that he could not determine why the brake light was illuminated but advised that the failure could be related to a wire. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who was unable to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the independent mechanic advised her that the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact researched the failure online and related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V061000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that she did not receive a recall notice. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the fire department. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT)

- Blackshear, GA, USA

problem #11

May 142021

Elantra

  • miles
The ABS module just started smoking today. Smell of burning breaks. We was driving in the city and stopped at a mall and noticed the smoke coming from behind the driver side wheel.

- Middlesboro, KY, USA

problem #10

Mar 012016

Elantra

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am concerned about why my VIN was not put in with the recent recall of the ABS and ESC and has been shorted or drained battery and my vehicle has shut off and the electrical has caused problems with my break lights at one point. I have replaced my ABS sensory 2 times already and the light still apears.

- Etters, PA, USA

problem #9

Jul 292018

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 43,570 miles
The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. While driving 70 mph with the cruise control activated, the brakes malfunctioned. The contact swerved into the shoulder lane, turned off the cruise control, and engaged the emergency handbrake. The contact stated that the vehicle skidded and crashed into a light pole, and stopped in an embankment in a heavy brush wooded area. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for determination of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted Hyundai motor America case #11488507. The failure mileage was 43,587. Updated 01/31/18

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #8

Mar 102017

Elantra

  • 83,402 miles
I was driving down he road about 25 miles per hour and my bakes went out I was fortunate to be in slow moving area with little traffic. If I had been in the freeway it could have been fatal. Dealer showed me and explained that the manufacturer Hyundai had put a plastic cover over the brake line. After years of salt and winter weather the enclosure of this brake line was rusting away unknowingly. Moisture, wet and winter eliminates were trapped within this plastic cover causing the brake line to rust. The car is now 8 years old so it took 8 years for this to happen. I fear there are many cars in this situation and the drivers do not know what is about to happen. The brake line broke at the rusted area and the brake fluid leaked out causing the loss of my brakes. The dealer permanently removed the plastic cover and sealed the brake line. This cover should not be covering the brake line, the dealer stated that the manufacturers intentions were good, but this was not a good way to protect the bake line for those who live inclement winter weather. Not only was I at risk and this could have cause a fatal situation for others. This repair also cost me $400. Please do something this is not just about the money cost, but this was a terrifying situation. I was also very fortunate that there were no children in the car and I was moving slowly. Please help before someone is killed. I do not have the means to upload the invoice from the dealer, but will be happy to mail this to you.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

problem #7

Aug 102015

Elantra

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was applied. Additionally, there was a progressing failure in which the gear would not shift out of park. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic) but the manufacturer notified the dealer that another dealer in a different state completed the repair. The dealer replaced the stop lamp switch. The failure mileage was not available.

- Sykesville, MD, USA

problem #6

Mar 212014

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 81,420 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving car on wet roads at 45 mph, applied brakes to slow down for a street light and the ABS was gone. Car slid into the opposing lane and made a grinding noise due to the failure. Then the eps light came on and the power steering was gone. Close-call accident, very scary, and a lot of pain in my neck and arms from driving without the power steering.

- Columbus, IN, USA

problem #5

Mar 192014

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
This has happened to me 2 times, upon driving the car it randomly accelerates all on its own. Its as if someone is putting the pedal to the metal and trying to brake at the same time.. slamming on the brakes only slows it down but not enough then I proceed to pull the emergency brake all the way which only assits a little.. so at this point I am at the complete mercy of a vechicle with a mind of its own.. im stuck driving a car that wont stop for 3 exits in the breakdown lane and 2 seconds away from calling the state police for assistance... putting it into neutral didnt stop it either it kept going!!! took it immediatly to the Hyundai dealership and after putting 100 miles on it to try and recreate the issue ( which thats a very dangerous issue to recreate ) it didnt occor for them so I was handed my keys and told to drive off in a possible death machine with a mind of its own. I take my car for the scheduled maitinece and do my part so Hyundai should not want thier loyal consumers driving such hazards.... ive read several simailar stories and people have had no luck in getting this matter resolved thier soulution was to get a new car... if only it was that easy.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #4

May 162013

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 27,260 miles
Rear brake caliper problem! the rear's only have to be lubricated every 15K miles or annually. A manufacturing problem that should be listed on a recall problem to replaced with a redesign that does not require this lubraction. (please note: People and as myself do not know this, and do not do this. Therefore, the caliper becomes frozen, and the wheel is not braking when it should be. This is a safety hassard. The repair is a new caliper and disk. Conclusion: Other manufactures do not have this problem.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #3

Apr 282013

Elantra

  • 46,543 miles
Traveling on interstate, using cruise control (as I had the day previously and for approx 150 miles this day) attempted to stop vehicle due to vehicles slowing down in front of me. Could not get out of cruise control - in fact, the vehicle accelerated -- and brakes did not work. Fortunately, I was in the right lane and was able to exit the highway without hitting the guardrail (approx. 20 feet away when I left the highway), traveled at a high rate of speed down a slight embankment and into a field, where fortunately there were no obstacles, and was able to stop the vehicle approx. 500 feet from leaving the highway. The engine was still running, now at a normal rate. I attempted to return to the interstate but was not successful due to the embankment. I drove through my previous tracks in the field and was able to get onto a nearby exit ramp. The vehicle functioned normally after that. Please note, this vehicle has a manual transmission. I did not attempt to engage the clutch to put the transmission in neutral because I had both hands on the steering wheel trying to maneuver through the field, which was quite green, actively growing, and approximately 15 inches high. The crop scraped the underside of the vehicle, which is now in the shop waiting to have the new part replaced. The mechanic will check for damage on the underside. I am not sure if the vehicle stopped B/C the brakes finally kicked in or the vegetative growth slowed me down.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #2

Sep 052011

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Car alarm activates at random when parked, incessant noise and work problem. Car gear stuck-stop lamp switch repaired-later recall, cd malfunction-ate disc, door sensor indicator lights stuck on, battery dies despite diagnostic tests on battery and alternator revealing no problems.

- Ashland , OH, USA

problem #1

Dec 032012

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
I was driving home from work on sun night prior to my accident went around a curve and car started loosing control was able to regain control and headed home. Next morning was driving vehicle noticed ESC light was on and would not reset even after shutting car off.driving down another road at approx. 40-45 mph went to negotiate a slight turn to the left when car started sliding out from under me tapped brakes trying to get them to grad and car under control but had no response car did a 180 and slammed in a telephone pole on passenger side vehicle seemed to hit with more force than 40 miles an hour. Thankfully I had no passenger because they may not have made it.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

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