Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Hyundai Azera, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 19% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 19% |
| Engine | 2 | 8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
| Structure | 1 | 4% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | 4% |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Good afternoon, my name is [XXX] . I purchased my 2009 Hyundai Azera limited edition in 2019 used with 98385 miles after I had the car for 9mths the car stopped running and the company I purchased the car from uses a rep
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DEFECTIVE ENGINE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON ALTERNATOR AND DESTROYED IT. SAME CONDITION AS RECENT HYUNDAI VERA CRUZ RECALL. I BELIEVE ENGINES ARE THE SAME BUT AZERA NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI AZERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START UP, THE CONTACT HAD TO USE A CABLE JUMPER TO START THE ENGINE UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AN
NHTSA complaint: Engine
EXTREME FIRE HAZARD WARNING - HYUNDAI - INSUFFICIENT WIRING INSULATION. 2009 AZERA STALLED AND DIED GOING 45 MPH DURING LIGHT RAIN 12/9/19. TOW TRUCK DRIVER TESTED BATTERY AND FOUND LOW ALTERNATOR OUTPUT. REPLACED ALT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS. WE WERE TOLD BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT THE ENGINE SMOLDERED FOR HOURS AND BROKE THROUGH THE FIRE BARRIER INTO THE CAR AND IGNITED THE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
ON HIGHWAY HEADING TO HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY FROM THROGS NECK BRIDGE IN THE BRONX AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL. WE WERE IN HEAVY TRUCK AND CAR TRAFFIC BUT WERE ABLE ,BY LUCK TO GE
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
WHEN TURNING THE BLINKERS DO NOT MAKE AND AUDIBLE SOUND WITH BLINKER WORKING AND BLINKER INDICATING ON DASH. DEALER CONFIRMS THAT FAULTY PART IS IN INSTRUMENT CONSOLE AT COST OF APPROX $2500. THIS PART SHOULD BE CONSID
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, THERE ARE FREQUENTLY ERROR CODES REAPPEARING WITH RELATED RELATION TO THIS VITAL SAFETY FEATURE. WHILE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE SEV
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2009 Hyundai Azera. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall beg
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 Tiburo
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 trans
Fix: 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
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 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois,
Risk: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 1-800-633-5151. Hyun
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 AZERA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2008. THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR MAY SUSTAIN DAMAGE AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE SEAT BELT. IF THE SEAT BELT TENSION SENSOR WIRING BEC
Risk: THE SEAT OCCUPANT IS AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY SHOULD THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Fix: HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 5 of them (19%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.