2009 Hyundai Elantra MPG
The 2009 Hyundai Elantra gets 24–25 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway (27–28 combined), across the 2 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive and is rated 27 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2008 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra | 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular · 317 g CO₂/mi |
| Elantra | 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 27 | Regular · 329 g CO₂/mi |
2009 Hyundai Elantra fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2009 Hyundai Elantra costs about $2,330 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (28 mpg combined), or roughly 16 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (27 mpg combined) comes to about $2,420 a year, $90 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2009 Hyundai Elantra specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra: a 2.0 L 4-cyl. It came with automatic and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. The EPA classes it as a midsize car.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L | 4 | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2009 Hyundai Elantra problems
Owners have filed 254 complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Elantra with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Steering is the most-reported area (42% of component mentions), followed by air bags (13%) and electrical system (7%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 14 complaints a year: fewer than the 2008 (16 a year) and the 2010 (22 a year).
It has the fewest complaints per year on sale of any Hyundai Elantra model year from 2008 to 2024.
Of the 254, 28 mention a crash, 11 a fire and 20 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 135 | 42% |
| Air bags | 42 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 18 | 6% |
| Engine | 13 | 4% |
| Structure | 11 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 11 | 3% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 10 | 3% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 9 | 3% |
| Power train | 8 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | <1% |
| Tires | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | <1% |
| Wheels | 3 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 2 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 2 | <1% |
| Suspension | 2 | <1% |
| Visibility | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated during the failure. …
I backed into my driveway, placed the vehicle in park and as I was setting the parking break the drivers side airbag deployed. The vehicle was still running.
February, 2024 - brakes "soft" at times, seems not catching unless stepped on almost to the floor. I brought it to the dealership same day. …
2009 Hyundai Elantra recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra.
The most recent, campaign 20V061000 from February 2020, concerns hydraulic service brakes.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Elantra years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V061000 | February 4, 2020 | Hydraulic service brakes | 2008–2010 |
| 15V100000 | February 23, 2015 | Steering | 2008–2010 |
| 13V113000 | April 1, 2013 | Exterior lighting | 2008–2010 |
| 11V143000 | March 15, 2011 | Air bags | 2008–2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Hyundai Elantras can be compared fairly. Among other 2009 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2009 Nissan Sentra (29 mpg), 2009 Chevy Malibu (26 mpg) and 2009 Nissan Altima (26 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 28 | 314 | 16 | 7 |
| 2009 | 28 | 254 | 14 | 4 |
| 2010 | 29 | 380 | 22 | 3 |
| 2011 | 32 | 433 | 27 | 5 |
| 2012 | 32 | 654 | 43 | 4 |
Every Hyundai Elantra model year compared →
Similar 2009 models
FAQ
Is the 2009 Elantra a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2009 Hyundai Elantra has 14 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (the fewest of its 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns and up to 28 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2009 Elantra problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are steering (135), air bags (42) and electrical system (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2009 Elantra have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Elantra get?
The EPA rates the versions at 27–28 mpg combined (24–25 city, 33 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Elantra per year?
About $2,330 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,420 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).