repaired · 2017 Q1
Brake lights: switch
Risk. Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
2009 Hyundai AccentProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 101 owner complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Accent, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-566 the manufacturer reports only 38% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 10, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Hyundai Accent has problems
101 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
27Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
13Visibility/wiper1 crash/fire/injury
12Service brakes
11Exterior lighting
9Power train
9Electrical system
6Engine
5Visibility
5Structure
249 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 27 | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper | 13 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 12 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | 0 |
| Power train | 9 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 24 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2009 Hyundai Accent recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Brake lights: switch
Risk. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
79kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 25 air bags complaints. 80% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles20under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other Accent year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Accent median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Hyundai Accent safety ratings
2009 Hyundai Accent 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Accent owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED.*JS
WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND WON'T TURN OFF. RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STILL STAYS ON. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I NEVER REPORTED IS BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS WON'T STAY UP. I REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE, BUT THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING TO A DRIVER…
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T SHUT OFF. CAME ON IN MORNING JUST STARTING THE CAR AND HAS NOT TURNED OFF. I HAVE UNHOOKED BATTERY AND CHECKED FUSES BUT STILL ON.
Own a 2009 Accent?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.