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2009 Hyundai Sonata

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sonata years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata are substantially higher than the model-year median of 161.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

375 reports with mileage · 85 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports11 fire reports20 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

48 reports
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40,000 miles · Jan 3, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT THE USED CAR IN THE SPRING, IT CURRENTLY HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLD, IT BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY AT 20 MPH WHEN I DECELERATE. WHEN I SLOW THE VEHICLE IT FEELS AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT ME FROM BEHIND. WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL SWITCH GEARS AND LURCH ME INTO ONCOMIN…

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I BOUGHT THE USED CAR IN THE SPRING, IT CURRENTLY HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE WEATHER GOT COLD, IT BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY AT 20 MPH WHEN I DECELERATE. WHEN I SLOW THE VEHICLE IT FEELS AS IF SOMEONE HAS HIT ME FROM BEHIND. WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL SWITCH GEARS AND LURCH ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ITEMS ON MY SEAT THAT ARE NOT SECURE ARE PROPELLED TO THE FLOOR. I WILL NOT LET ANYONE ELSE OPERATE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I FEEL THAT IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE DECELERATION. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORPORATION- MISTAKENLY TOLD ME IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN RECANTED WHEN THEY REALIZED I WAS A SECOND OWNER WHICH ONLY COVERS 5 YEARS OR 60,000. HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE STATES THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, THAT THERE ARE NO TECHNICAL BULLETINS APPLYING TO MY AUTOMOBILE. REFUSES TO FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE DESPITE THERE BEING COUNTLESS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE ON THE NHTSA SITE.

NHTSA ODI #11165591

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2018
Unknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION SHIFT DOWN

NHTSA ODI #11163819

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR STARTING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COMES UP BUT THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. PREVIOUSLY I HAD TO GET A NEW STARTER ON 10/29/2015 WITH 40524 MILES ON THE CAR AT THIS TIME; THE 2009 SONATA WAS THEN ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD; I PAID $100 AS IT WAS JUST SLIGHT…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR STARTING INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COMES UP BUT THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. PREVIOUSLY I HAD TO GET A NEW STARTER ON 10/29/2015 WITH 40524 MILES ON THE CAR AT THIS TIME; THE 2009 SONATA WAS THEN ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD; I PAID $100 AS IT WAS JUST SLIGHTLY OVER 5 YEAR AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD PRORATE IT. I HAVE BEEN HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AGAIN SINCE JANUARY 2018 WITH THE CAR STARTING/TURNING OVER INTERMITTENTLY; LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD COMES UP BUT CAR DOES NOT TURN OVER. I TOOK TO DEALER TODAY AND THE CAR HAD 60925 MILES ON IT, THE DEALERSHIP PERSON STATED THEY WERE 90-95% SURE IT WAS THE STARTER BUT NOT 100% AND ESTIMATED THE COST FOR THE NEW STARTER TO BE OVER $500. THE DEALERSHIP PERSON SAID THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE STARTER PUT IN ON 10/29/2015 WAS 12 MONTHS/12000, AND THEREFORE NO COST ADJUSTMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11132145

85,000 miles · Dec 5, 2017
Unknown Or Other

2009 HUYNDAI SONATA STARTER INSTALLED IN JUNE 2017 BY DEALER AFTER DIAGNOSING A DEFECTIVE STARTER WAS THE REASON FOR A STRANGE SOUND WHEN STARTING THE CAR. IN DECEMBER 2017, THE SAME DEALER STATES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS SENDING A SIGNAL AT THE WRONG TIME AND AS A RESULT, THE SAME SOUND OCCURS. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE SAME S…

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2009 HUYNDAI SONATA STARTER INSTALLED IN JUNE 2017 BY DEALER AFTER DIAGNOSING A DEFECTIVE STARTER WAS THE REASON FOR A STRANGE SOUND WHEN STARTING THE CAR. IN DECEMBER 2017, THE SAME DEALER STATES THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IS SENDING A SIGNAL AT THE WRONG TIME AND AS A RESULT, THE SAME SOUND OCCURS. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE SAME SOUND IS NOT A RESULT OF THE STARTER, BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI #11052652

69,156 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING (THE CAR WAS IN MOTION) THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS A PROPENSITY TO DROP, BLOCKING THE VISION FROM THE DRIVER. THE SUN VISOR NOW DOES NOT STAY IN AN UP-RIGHT POSITION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE SUN VISOR BLOCKS YOUR VISION.

NHTSA ODI #10980188

95 miles · Mar 13, 2017
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND HAS BEEN FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. MY BOYFRIEND'S FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR, SAME YEAR AND HIS IS WORSE THAN MINE. MY CONCERN IS THIS IS WHERE AIRBAG IS LOCATED.

NHTSA ODI #10960384

45,000 miles · Nov 6, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR LOST SPEED GRADUALLY FROM 60 MPH TO 10 MPH. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR AN EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT AND STOP AT A HOTEL PARKING LOT. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE SINCE OTHER CARS WERE SPEEDING AROUND ME AT 70+ MPH, THEN CUTTING IN FRONT OF ME TO EXI…

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I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR LOST SPEED GRADUALLY FROM 60 MPH TO 10 MPH. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR AN EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT AND STOP AT A HOTEL PARKING LOT. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE SINCE OTHER CARS WERE SPEEDING AROUND ME AT 70+ MPH, THEN CUTTING IN FRONT OF ME TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO OTHER RESULT. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND SO I'M WITHOUT A CAR FOR THE WEEKEND AND WILL HAVE TO MISS WORK TOMORROW. UNKNOWN CAUSE. I'M NOT ABLE TO SCAN DOCUMENTS.

NHTSA ODI #10924512

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2016
Unknown Or Other

SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NOTHING HIT THE CAR AND I DID NOT CROSS UNDER AN OVER-PATH. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SOUNDS OF WIND OR AIR ENTERING THE SUNROOF. CHUNKS OF GLASS FEW OFF THE CAR AND COULD HAVE DAMAGED OTHER VEHICLE OR COULD HAVE CAUSED A WRECK. IT RAINED OVERNIGHT AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND MY CLOTH S…

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SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. NOTHING HIT THE CAR AND I DID NOT CROSS UNDER AN OVER-PATH. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SOUNDS OF WIND OR AIR ENTERING THE SUNROOF. CHUNKS OF GLASS FEW OFF THE CAR AND COULD HAVE DAMAGED OTHER VEHICLE OR COULD HAVE CAUSED A WRECK. IT RAINED OVERNIGHT AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND MY CLOTH SEATS WERE SOAKED. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE SUNROOF REPAIRED A FEW DAYS LATER.

NHTSA ODI #10914845

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SUN VISOR THAT WAS UP BROKE AND SWUNG DOWN ALMOST HITTING ME IN THE FACE. IT NO LONGER WILL STAY UP AS IT'S INTENDED AND SWINGS DOWN BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING. IT'S A HAZARD AND ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE MANY OTHERS HAVE AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10870931

65,000 miles · Mar 11, 2016
Unknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR WILL JERK LIKE IT IS SHIFTING ROUGH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAKES GRABBING BUT WHEN I GOOGLED IT I READ THAT IT COULD BE ECM AND TCM SOFTWARE PROBLEM. IT JERKS SOMETIMES SO BADLY THAT IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BUMPED INTO SOMETHING. CALLED DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. WAS ALSO…

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WHEN DRIVING MY CAR WILL JERK LIKE IT IS SHIFTING ROUGH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAKES GRABBING BUT WHEN I GOOGLED IT I READ THAT IT COULD BE ECM AND TCM SOFTWARE PROBLEM. IT JERKS SOMETIMES SO BADLY THAT IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BUMPED INTO SOMETHING. CALLED DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT IS PROBABLY AN UPDATE NEEDED TO THE ECM AND TCM SOFTWARE AND IT COULD COST $200. IF THAT IS THE CASE IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT HYUNDAI COVERS.

NHTSA ODI #10846072

Official recalls

2

13V354000 · Suspension:rear

Aug 12, 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 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.

13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 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, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

PE13007 · Rear Control Arm Failure

Opened Mar 25, 2013 · Closed Aug 20, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear

In a letter dated August 9, 2013, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, Inc. (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that Hyundaiis conducting a safety recall (13V-354) involving approximately 239,000 vehicles involving model year (MY) 2006 through 2010 Hyundai Sonata vehicles (approximately 215,000)produced beginning on March 1, 2005 through January 21, 2010 and model year (MY) 2006 through 2011 Hyundai Azera vehicles (approximately 24,000) produced beginning on September 27, 2005 through November 22, 2010 that are registered in and operated or originally sold in the following 20 salt belt states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.Hyundai will also inform dealers to inspect/repair vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere. Hyundai is conducting the recall to remedy a defect involving internal corrosion of the rear sub frame that may lead to separation of the rear upper/lower control arm(s) at their respective mounting points and/or separation of the axle from the transaxle where they meet.This could result in a loss of vehicle control and/or vehicle disablement which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.In response to NHTSA?s Information Request (IR) letter, Hyundai stated the Azera vehicles utilizes the identical cross member and upper/lower rear control arm components as the subject (Sonata) vehicles.In analysis of both Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and consumer complaint data submitted to Hyundai, ODI identified 19 non-duplicative reports alleging excessive corrosion of the rear sub frame. All of the complaint vehicles were either originally sold or registered at the time of the incident in one of the salt belt states.Of these 19 reports, 9 alleged either a suspension component separation or a fracture of the vehicle's rear cross member assembly.Similarly, ODI identified 8 warranty claims of rear sub frame replacement in data submitted by Hyundai due to excessive corrosion, all of which involved vehicles originally sold or operated in a salt belt state. Based on Hyundai's decision to conduct a safety recall, (13V-354) this investigation is closed.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10535115, 10534110, 10525976, 10524726, 10521520, 10508368, 10505463, 10490073, 10486752, 10486435, 1048354, 10473922, and 10437887.