HyundaiSonata2009Overview/hyundai/sonata/2009/base/

2009 Hyundai Sonata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Sonata.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Categorized as a passenger car, the 2009 Hyundai Sonata maintains a 4.5 qt engine oil capacity requiring 5W-20 / 5W-30 API viscosity. Ownership data records 460 total owner complaints for this specific year, with Service Brakes identified as the top complaint area alongside 2 recalls. Within the model's complaint history covering 1990-2026, this volume places the 2009 variant significantly below the 2011 high of 3368 complaints while remaining above the 2026 low of 2 complaints. This trajectory marks the 2009 model year as a lower-complaint entry within the broader model history, distinct from the model's peak issues.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire size225-50R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3254 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sonata of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–8.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2009 SE V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009SE V6 3.3L V66.90 sec15.30 sec249 hpFWD
2009SE 2.4L I-48.70 sec16.70 sec175 hpFWD
2009Limited 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.80 sec175 hpFWD
2006LX V6 3.3L V66.60 sec15.30 sec235 hpFWD
2006GLS V6 3.3L V66.80 sec15.20 sec235 hpFWD
2006LX V6 3.3L V67.00 sec15.50 sec235 hpFWD
2006LX V6 3.3L V67.30 sec15.60 sec235 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0-32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.5
Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts210-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolt 11-14 ft-lbs, nut: 23-30 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM8 nut: 18-22 ft-lbs, M10 nut: 25-30 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0-32.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-206 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.52-.72 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6895-7105 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.26 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.73-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test12-16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief12-16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature179 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)54.3-55.8 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)54.3-55.8 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle45-55 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.016; Rear: 0.012 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts8–9 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9216 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1tighten bolts in sequence 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 8, 72.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace)
Every 37,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata sits in a comparatively quiet period of this generation's federal record. After 2006's high-water mark of 1,047 complaints, 11 recalls, and 5 investigations, volumes fell steadily through 2007 (696 complaints, 7 recalls) and 2008 (425 complaints, 5 recalls), with 2009 posting 460 complaints, 2 recalls, and 3 investigations—slightly more complaints than 2008 but fewer recalls and investigations. That downward trend continued into 2010 (345 complaints, 2 recalls) before a sharp reversal in 2011, which jumped to 3,368 complaints and 14 recalls. Within 2009 itself, the leading complaint categories were Service Brakes (41), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (30), Structure (28), and Unknown or Other (26), with 21 crash-related and 11 fire-related complaints; the data does not specify root causes. Relative to the surrounding years, 2009 represents a low-activity year before the 2011 spike. For a used-car buyer, the 2009 model is one of the more favorable years in this record, showing lower recall and investigation activity than both the preceding 2006–2008 period and the following 2011 surge, though prospective owners should still inspect brake and structural systems carefully given their prominence in complaints.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
61
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
460
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 11 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 460 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes41
Service Brakes, Hydraulic30
Structure28
Unknown Or Other26
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)26
Engine25
Electrical System23
Power Train20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V113000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 01/04/2013

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… 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…

13V354000Suspension:RearReported 12/08/2013

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 61 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sonata. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Sonata take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Sonata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.