RoadVitals

2009 Hyundai Sonata Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Dec 20, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 460 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Hyundai Sonata submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of her father. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer then diagnosed that the gasoline needed to be pumped out. The repair was completed; however, the failure recurred. The battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for 3 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The dealer stated the car needs a new engine.

NHTSA ID
11498291
Incident
Sep 18, 2022
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Jun 3, 2019

PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF OR BROKE OFF WHILE OPENING DOOR STRONG SMELL OF GAS ONLY AFTER FILLING CAR UP WITH GAS AND SMALL PUDDLE UNDER REAR GAS TANK AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT ONLY HAPPENS IF TANK IS MORE THEN 3/4 FILLED

NHTSA ID
11217619
Incident
May 28, 2019
Mileage
72,115 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed May 12, 2019

STALLS RANDOMLY AND INTERMITTENTLY ANYTIME AND AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAPPENS WHILE CRUISING ON A FREEWAY OR STOPPED ON A LIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11207118
Incident
May 12, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Jun 9, 2018

INTERMITTENT STALLS OR ATTEMPTS TO STALL OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS. ALWAYS STALLED WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE STATIONARY; ATTEMPTS TO STALL WHILE IN MOTION OR TRYING TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE HAS ACTUALLY STALLED ON HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WHERE SUCCESSFUL, HOWEVER. NO TROUBLE CODE TO SOLVE PROBLEM BUT WORKED FINE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED ALTOGETHER. CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START WHILE TURNING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. FOUND OUT FROM MECHANIC AFTER IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN THAT IT WAS FUEL PUMP FAILURE BUT SYMPTOMS CONCLUDE FUEL PUMP DEFECT FROM YEARS PAST.

NHTSA ID
11100716
Incident
Jun 8, 2018
Mileage
101,386 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 29, 2017

WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, MY SONATA STOPPED ACCELERATING. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AS MY CAR WAS RAPIDLY DECELERATING. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND AFTER LETTING IT SET FOR A FEW MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO START UP AGAIN AND PROCEED WITHOUT TROUBLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN SINCE, BOTH ON A FREEWAY AND ONCE ON A SIDE STREET. I AM ON MY WAY TO MY DEALER TODAY TO CHECK THIS OUT. ALSO, I HAVE CHECKED THE INTERNET, AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG THESE MODELS.

NHTSA ID
11057319
Incident
Dec 8, 2017
Mileage
108,300 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 17, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS VIEWED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE THE FUEL PUMP WAS BEING REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE FUEL CONNECTOR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10874910
Incident
Jun 15, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 10, 2015

WHILE PUMPING GAS IT APPEARS TO BE FULL (WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN 3/4 FULL TANK) GASS SPILLS OR SPURTS OUT ON FLOOR AND MY FEET. VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN CABIN WHEN PROCEED TO DRIV AND CLEARS OUT AFTER MAYBE 5-10 MILES

NHTSA ID
10781213
Incident
Sep 3, 2015
Mileage
70,150 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 4, 2015

!) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR..SHOP SAID IT WAS A GAS CAP PROBLEM..BOUGHT NEW CAP, NOT FIXED..STILL ON 2) FILLING CAR UP WITH GAS....VERY DIFFICULT TO FILL...KNOB KEEPS SHUTTING OFF GAS FLOW....ONCE AGAIN SHOP HAS NO GOOD ANSWER...... *TR

NHTSA ID
10703710
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
65,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2014

2009 HYUNDAI SONATA FUEL SENDING UNIT. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTH AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE/FUMES IS STILL PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, MOSTLY AT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THERE WAS A GASOLINE SPILL, AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING, WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. IT ALL STARTED, WHEN THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT REGISTERING. THE MECHANIC CLEARED THE ENGINE LIGHT AND STATED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME, BECAUSE THE FIRST ONE WAS DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, THE GAS GAUGE STILL DIDN'T WORK. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONSUMER LEFT THE SHOP, SHE STOPPED FOR GAS AND WHILE PUMPING GAS STARTED POURING OUT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIME, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED EVER SINCE THE DEALER RE-INSTALLED THE GASKET, THE SAME FUEL SENDING UNIT CONTINUED TO LEAK GAS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10654419
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Sep 25, 2014

WENT TO PUT FUEL IN GAS TANK IT WOULDNT TAKE THE GAS IT CAME BACK OUT. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT NOW I CANT FIND IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639167
Incident
Jun 18, 2012
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2014

AFTER I START MY CAR AND DRIVE IT FOR LESS THAN ONE MILE, MY CAR WILL STALL WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I SLOW/STOP THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER STARTING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632925
Incident
Dec 2, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 10, 2014

THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE CAR FINALLY STARTED AFTER SITTING AWHILE. THIS TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED I COULD NOT HEAR THE FUEL PUMP RUN. I DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN I WENT TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP I DISCOVERED THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE PLASTIC TERMINAL PROTECTION INSIDE THE TANK WAS BURNED THROUGH AND THE TERMINAL MELTED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONDITION AS IT WAS INSIDE THE TANK EXPOSED TO THE FUEL, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632301
Incident
Sep 10, 2014
Mileage
95,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 7, 2014

WHEN FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS IT ALWAYS SPILLS OUT AS IF SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE INPUT OF GASOLINE. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A HAZARD/SAFETY ISSUE. MANY GAS STATION ATTENDANTS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY SEE WITH MOST HYUNDAI SONATAS POSSIBLY OF THE SAME YEAR? I'VE CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS. THEY WANT YOU TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10619506
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Mileage
20,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL STARTED TO SPEW OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VENT VALVE CANISTER AND FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, TWO YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10578181
Incident
Feb 8, 2012
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2013

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENED,IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO PUMP GAS. WHEN I AM PUMPING THE GAS IT BACKS UP AND SPLASHES BACK OUT THE OPENING. I HAVE TO PUMP VERY SLOWLY AND A LITTLE AT THE TIME. AT TIMES IT CAN TAKE OVER 15 MINUTES MUST TO GET 10 GALLON. I'VE RUN INTO OTHER PEOPLE AT THE PUMP THAT HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD THE EXPERIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535466
Incident
May 1, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2013

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN TRAFFIC, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS LIKE THE GAS DOESN'T WANT TO GO TO THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR DIDN'T DIE AND MOVED AT NO MORE THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST4 MONTHS AND IT REALLY HASN'T BEEN AN ISSUE BECAUSE NORMALLY YOU CAN SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT'S FINE, HOWEVER IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET YOUR VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND OUT OF HARMS WAY. IT HAS OCCURRED OVER 4 TIMES AND IT HAS RECENTLY HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND OWNERS CAN EITHER PAY TO GET THE SENSOR "BOX" CLEANED OUT, OR REPAIRED WHICH COSTS IN THE AREA OF $500.00. THEY KNOW IT IS THE SENSOR "BOX", AND THAT IS FLAWED. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532809
Incident
Mar 30, 2013
Mileage
82,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesFuel system
Filed Jul 12, 2013
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME ON THE DOOR LATCH PEELED OFF AND CAUSED LACERATIONS TO HER FINGERS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS COSMETIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILED AND THE FUEL CAP RELEASE ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524572
Incident
May 8, 2012
Mileage
73,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 29, 2013

SOME TIMES WHEN STARTING THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE RPMS GO UP TO ABOUT 1200 AND THEN DOWN TO 800 RPMS. WHEN MY FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR WANTS TO ACCELERATE AND GO ON ITS OWN OFTEN. WHILE STOPED AT A STOP SIGN OR STOPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN RELEASED, SOME TIMES SPINNING THE TIRES. IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AFTER RETURNING FROM A 5000 MILE TRIP IN JUNE, 2013. THE CAR PURCHASED NEW AND HAS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH APROX. 65000 MILES TOTAL ON THE CAR. THIS IS A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522438
Incident
Jun 12, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 4, 2013

STRANGE GAS SMELL WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON AND OFF. SPECIALLY AFTER RIDDING VEHICLE AND STOPPING CAR FOR A FEW AND RESTARTING. THE SMELL COMES THRU AIR VENTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY STATED NOTHING SHOWS UP IN THEIR COMPUTER. MPG HAS DROPPED TO AROUND 24 ON HIGHWAY AND CITY TO AROUND 16 MPG AND THIS IS A 4 CYLINDER VEHICLE. HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE LOCATED SEVERAL SITES STATING SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10507083
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
61,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 4, 2013

NOTICED THE CAR DOES NOT PULL UP THE STEEP HILL VERY WELL. TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID TRANSMISSION OIL IS DIRTY AND SMELLS BAD AND IT NEEDS TRANSMISSION FLUSH, RESETTING OF TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINTS, AND FUEL SYSTEM CLEAN . I POINTED OUT THESE ARE NOT PER SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT AND WAS CONCERNED THE CAR WAS CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS SO EARLY IN ITS USAGE . WILL TAKE IT FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH AS THAT IS WHAT DEALER INSISTS ON BEFORE THEY INFORM ME IF THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE PRESENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501316
Incident
Feb 27, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Nov 17, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS REFUELING THE VEHICLE WHEN FUEL STARTED TO ESCAPE THE FILLER TANK AND SPLASH ON THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
10436241
Incident
Nov 16, 2011
Mileage
92,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 17, 2011

THERE HAS BEEN AN ODOR OF GASOLINE ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED IT IS "WORSE" WHEN I FILL THE VEHICLE WITH GAS BUT THE PROBLEM OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THAT. I DO NOT TOP OFF THE TANK. THE PUMP SHUTS OFF WHEN FULL, AND I STOP PUMPING. THIS ODOR STARTS WHEN SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT AND STAYS IN THE CABIN UNTIL I'M MOVING AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT ONLY STARTED WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND SAT FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, HOWEVER WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME AT SLOW SPEEDS (15-25 MPH) CONTINUOUS, THE SMELL WAS CONSTANT. LATELY IT IS SO BAD I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. ONE TIME, I ALMOST PULLED OVER AT THE ROADSIDE, AND WAS GOING TO GET OUT OF MY CAR TO GET FRESH AIR, BUT THERE WAS TOO MUCH TRAFFIC. THERE ARE NO FUEL LEAKS THAT I CAN FIND. NO STANDING FUEL UNDER THE CAR AFTER I PARK. IT HAS DONE THIS MOST TIMES I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR TO MORE OR LESS DEGREES, BUT NOT EVERYTIME - MOST TIMES. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO A DEALER YET, BUT I WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED. APPARENTLY THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR WHO HAVE NOTICED THIS SAME THING BASED ON A HYUNDAI INTERNET FORUMS. BUT I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL 2010. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE GAS ODOR. NOT ONLY ARE PASSENGERS HAVING TO INHALE THESE FUMES, BUT I'M WONDERING IF IT COULD BE A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FIRE/EXPLOSION. I'M NOT SO SURE THESE ARE JUST VERY FEW, ISOLATED INCIDENTS. I SEE A PROBLEM STARTING TO EMERGE. CERTAINLY, I WILL NOT DRIVE A CAR THAT I HAVE TO SMELL GAS FUMES NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT, NOT EVEN TO MENTION THE PROFOUND SAFETY PROBLEM THIS MAY CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10436222
Incident
Nov 12, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 24, 2010

1) WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCLINE. THERE WAS A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR. 2) THE ENGINE APPEARED TO TURN OFF, HOWEVER THE ELECTRONICS NEVER TURNED OFF. POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE ONCE THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. 3) I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR, BUT IT WOULDN'T START. YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE TRYING TO START. I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT INTO A PARKING SPACE. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER I SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM OR DETECT THAT ANYTHING HAD OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10313623
Incident
Feb 18, 2010
Mileage
11,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .