2009 Hyundai Sonata Lights Problems
8 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Lights Recalls (1)
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 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Owner Complaints (8)
Your brake light warning indicator came back on after the dealer completed a recall repair for the stop lamp switch in February 2022. The problem reappeared at around 146,000 miles, even though the manufacturer was notified but didn't offer assistance. The fix will likely involve inspecting or replacing the stop lamp switch again.
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MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THEM AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES PER YEAR. AFTER THE MOST RECENT CHANGE THEY BLEW BACK IN WITHIN TWO WEEKS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON AT ALL TIMES.
WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF I HAVE REPLACED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES. 3 TIMES ON THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND 3 ON THE LEFT. MY MECHANIC CAN NOT TELL ME WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. HE SAID IT LOOKS LIKE A GROUNDING PROBLEM. HAVE YOU HAD ANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM OR IS THIS AN ISOLATED PROBLEM? THE COST OF THESE BULBS ARE GETTING TOO MUCH TO BEAR. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE BECAUSE I REPLACED THE LEFT LIGHT LAST WEEK AND THE RIGHT LIGHT TODAY (12-8-14). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DECK STOP LIGHT WIRING AND FRAME DETACHED FROM THE SOCKET. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING THE BULB FROM THE SOCKET, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BULB AND WIRING FELL INTO THE TRUNK AND BURNED ITEMS WITHIN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT BULB IS NOT EASILY CHANGEABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE STOP LAMP FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. *TR
THE LIGHT EMITTED BY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IS SO FOCUSED AS TO CREATE A TUNNEL EFFECT. THIS NON-DIFFUSED LIGHT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ANY ILLUMINATION OTHER THAN STRAIGHT AHEAD AND NO HIGHER THAN THE LEVEL OF THE HEADLAMP. IN CONDITIONS OF TOTAL DARKNESS, IT IS AS IF YOUR ARE WEARING A LONG BRIMMED CAP WITH BLINDERS. AS YOU DRIVE UP OR DOWN A HILL, THE LIGHT SHINES "INTO" THE RISE OR DIP IN THE ROAD. WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER, THE LIGHT DOES NOT "LEAD" THE VEHICLE AROUND THE BEND, IT "LAGS" BEHIND CREATING A DARK ZONE AS THE CAR GOES AROUND THE BEND. WHEN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON, THE TUNNEL EFFECT DISAPPEARS. HYUNDAI HAS SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LAMPS OR WITH THEIR DESIGN. THEY CONTEND THAT IT IS A DESIGN FEATURE OF THE PARTICULAR LAMPS AND THAT THEY ARE EFFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. *TR