CarBrief

Owners filed 235 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Genesis, and brakes are the largest complaint group[1][2]. Three recalls apply, and all three have free repairs[3][4][5].

235owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 235 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 15 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 3 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports.

The largest groups are:

Component group Complaints
Brakes[2] 125
Electrical system[8] 29
Exterior lighting[9] 24
Unknown or other[10] 22
Steering[11] 21
Speed control[12] 16
Engine[13] 15
Power train[14] 10

Brakes. The 125 brake complaints include 7 crashes, and the median mileage at failure is 70,000[2]. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 10 describe a brake pedal that sinks to the floor or goes soft, sometimes only now and then[2].

Brake lights. In a sample of 12 exterior lighting complaints, 10 describe brake lights that stopped working, and several say the driver got no warning[9]. Several say the same part was replaced more than once. Three say the lights failed again after the recall repair[9]. Brake light failure also shows up in 4 of 12 electrical complaints we read[8].

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints, 3 describe a car that pulls to one side, and 2 of them say alignment work did not fix it[11]. Another 3 describe a loss of power steering help[11]. Two say the tilt wheel would not move up[11].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 2 describe a sudden loss of throttle power with warning lights on[8]. Electrical complaints include 2 fires[8].

The power train group is small, with 10 complaints[14]. It does not stand out in this data.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this car, newest first. All three have a free remedy.

Ask a Hyundai dealer whether the work on a specific car was done. Some owners in our sample say brake lights failed again after recall work[9].

Fuel economy

EPA lists two engines, both with an automatic 6-speed and rear-wheel drive[7][15].

Engine City / highway / combined MPG Fuel Annual fuel cost
3.8L 6-cyl[7] 18 / 27 / 21 Regular $3,200
4.6L 8-cyl[15] 17 / 25 / 19 Premium $4,350

The 4.6L uses premium fuel and has the higher annual fuel cost[15].

Safety ratings

The NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 4-door rear-wheel-drive Genesis as not rated[16].

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 3.8L 6-cylinder and a 4.6L 8-cylinder[7][15]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications.

Body Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4-door sedan[17] 196 in 74 in 58 in 116 in 3,821 lb
2-door coupe[18] 182 in 73 in 54 in 111 in 3,439 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

2009: 235 complaints, 3 recalls23520092010: 156 complaints, 5 recalls20102011: 146 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 271 complaints, 5 recalls20122013: 200 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 44 complaints, 3 recalls20142015: 306 complaints, 10 recalls20152016: 104 complaints, 6 recalls2016
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Genesis model year. The 2009 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20092353
20101565
20111466
20122715
20132004
2014443
201530610
20161046

NHTSA data for the Genesis covers eight model years[6]. The 2009 model year has 235 complaints[6]. Only 2015 (306) and 2012 (271) have more[6]. The 2014 model year has the fewest at 44[6].

For recalls, 2009 has 3[6]. That ties 2014 for the fewest. Every other year has 4 or more, and 2015 has 10[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2009 Genesis?

Brakes account for 125 of 235 complaints, and 7 of those mention a crash[1][2]. Check with a Hyundai dealer that all three recalls were done, since the repairs are free[3][4][5]. Because owners in our sample describe repeat brake light failures and a soft brake pedal, have a mechanic test both before you buy[2][9]. Fuel costs are higher with the 4.6L, which uses premium fuel[7][15]. The data here cannot tell you about reliability beyond complaints and recalls.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Hyundai Genesis?
Brakes have the most complaints at 125 of 235[1][2]. Owners in a sample of complaints we read describe a sinking brake pedal and brake lights that fail[2][9].
Does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis have any recalls?
Yes, three: 14V713, 13V489 and 13V113. Each has a free dealer remedy[3][4][5].
What gas mileage does the 2009 Hyundai Genesis get?
The 3.8L is rated 18 city, 27 highway and 21 combined MPG[7]. The 4.6L is rated 17, 25 and 19[15].
Is the 2009 Hyundai Genesis a good year compared with others?
It has the third highest complaint count of eight years at 235, and ties 2014 for the fewest recalls at 3[6].
What is the safety rating of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis?
NHTSA lists the 4-door rear-wheel-drive model as not rated[16].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 235 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis (15 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 125 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 14V713, filed November 7, 2014: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 13V489, filed October 29, 2013: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 13V113, filed April 1, 2013: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Genesis model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Genesis, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 29 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 24 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,889). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 22 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,120). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 21 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 16 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,785). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 15 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 10 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,495). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Genesis, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GENESIS 4DR SEDAN RWD 3.8/4.6: length 196 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 3,821 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GENESIS 2DR COUPE RWD 2.0T/3.8: length 182 in, width 73 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,439 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.