RoadVitals

2009 Hyundai Tucson

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
18
Latest Mar 23, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 1, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Tucson, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 37 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags626.1%
  • Driver assistance313.0%
  • Seat belts28.7%
  • Electrical28.7%
  • Body & structure28.7%
  • Steering14.3%
  • Suspension14.3%
  • Tires & wheels14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 1, 2013
1,712,336 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Hyundai Motor CompanyManufacturer number 110View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Mar 23, 2026
Crash reported

my air bag light came on and I took it to a dealer and they said they repaired it by replacing a seat belt , a couple months later my car was in a hit and run and my front end was badly damaged and my air bags never deployed. they fixed my car and I got it back with the air bags light on again, took it back to the same dealer, they had the car and say they can't fix it, they said they looked around the country and can't find any replacement parts, they say there is no way to repair my car. My car is unsafe to drive and they say it can't be fixed and I did everything I was supposed to do with the car, took got care of it and its got low mileage for the year and now i'm being told it's out of warranty and it's my problem not the dealers or hyundia's. i'm now on SSd and can't afford a $300-500 a month payment and requested a buy back do to faulty equipment and repair and now a year later i'm still waiting to get a yes or no, my car is not safe and i'm out of luck with my car, the repair didn't work when needed, someone should be responsable for repair or equipment liability to help me find something safe to drive not all on me.

NHTSA ID
11726389
Incident
Mar 12, 2025
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 16, 2026
Crash reported

my air bag light is on again , my front end was hit bad and they air bags didn't deploy and after the car was fixed the light is always on again, Hyundia can't fix it or find parts to replace it

NHTSA ID
11718340
Incident
Mar 24, 2025
Fuel system
Filed Nov 19, 2024

Received 24T013 By email regarding car tires. And also a underbody body rust. From Thh8s agency. The car was brought into dealership. On Oct 2024 was told by a custom service rep that it was to bad off and a control arm was being order and in 3 days l would Received a call. Randy called in November 18. Stated the manufacturer denied the calm due to the year of the car and the miles And l would received a email never received a denied email

NHTSA ID
11626194
Incident
Oct 24, 2024
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Dec 22, 2022

I had taken my car in to the dealership for oil change i was told by the mechanic not to drive my car unless it was absolulute necessary my whole undercarriage has rusted out i am unable to find out if there was ever a recall on this matter but dont understand why this has not been brought to my attention before this last oil change i am a retiree living on a budget and this has been so hard on me i can not afford a new car

NHTSA ID
11498518
Incident
Oct 14, 2022
Airbags
Filed Nov 3, 2019

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE LIGHT ON MEANS THE AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED AND THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS I MUST HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS DONE WHICH WILL COST ME ABOUT $125.00 IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH A MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAG LIGHT I DON'T THINK THE REPAIR SHOULD COST ME ANYTHING. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE OF A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS IN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11277755
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
85,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jun 25, 2019

CAR LOSING POWER WHEN WATER FROM RAIN SPLASHES UNDER AND HITS BELT. MECH. HAS CONFIRMED SPLASH SHIELD IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO COVER BELTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAUSING POWER STEERING AND ALL TO BE LOST. IT DOES COME BACK ON. BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A FIX FOR ISSUE. HAVE SEEN ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, DEALER IS NO HELP TO ME. HOPING THIS GETS THINGS STARTED.

NHTSA ID
11222489
Incident
Jun 15, 2019
Mileage
106,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 13, 2017

MY AIRBAG STRAP CAME UNDONE THEY SAID IT WAS TO TIGHT. HAD TO BE DONE WHEN THE CAR WAS PRODUCED. I HAVE NO AIRBAG AT THIS TIME. HAPPY HYUNDAI WANTS ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. BUT ITS A CAR DEFECT. I HAVE CALLED CORP. TALKED TO [XXX] 2 WEEKS AGO NO RESPONSE .I ALSO CALLED THE NHTSA TALKED TO [XXX] MY COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10936608 PLEASE HELP ME.I HAVE BEEN GIVING THE RUN AROUND WAY TO LONG. WITH GRATITUDE [XXX] I CAME TO ILLINOIS FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2 MONTHS I CANT LEAVE TO GO BACK TO FLORIDA BECAUSE ITS UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE THAT'S WHERE MY HOME IS I'M STAYING AT MY DAUGHTERS. I'M 68 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE DOCTORS APPTS. I HAVE HAD TO CANC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10945195
Incident
Dec 16, 2016
Airbags
Filed Dec 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CLOCK SPRING ON THE AIR BAG FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ID
10936608
Incident
Dec 15, 2016
Mileage
31,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DTN DL

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin. To date, Hyundai is aware of three people who have died while driving a Hyundai vehicle with one of these substandard replacement airbag inflators that deployed in what likely would have been a survivable crash. NHTSA has issued a public advisory urging vehicle owners and service professionals to have vehicles inspected if there is reason to believe that a non-genuine replacement airbag may have been installed. Vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, prior airbag deployments, or unknown repair histories may present a higher risk. NHTSA strongly cautions against self-inspection by vehicle owners and recommends inspection by trained technicians.

DTN DCS

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached announcement, provided by NHTSA, for more details.

25-BD-012H TSB

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.

24-BD-001H

VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY/WIPER

This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, which could lead to poor wiping performance and/or possible scratching of the windshield glass. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to properly remove the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all new wiper blades.

23-EM-005H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.

23-BD-007H

STRUCTURE:BODY

Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Tucson by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026545071.6
20252696067.7
2024904063.6
20231302058.3
20223703263.8
2021761161.1
20201751153.8
20193711255.0
20183891154.1
20171,0793260.5
20161,6155155.4
20152261251.0
20142002255.8
20132663263.5
20122543362.9
20111245257.5
2010574256.5
2009Viewing181054.8
2008431046.0
2007655156.8
20061355158.8
20051858155.9
2004000

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.