Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 34 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE BRAKE FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE THE OWNERS OF A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT, AND ARE THE ONLY OWNERS OF RECORD AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE MANNER. ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 2009, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH APPROACHING A LEFT TURN LIGHT, WHEN I NEEDED TO STOP SUDDENLY TO AVOID HITTING A CAR THAT STOPPED ABRUPTLY IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT, PLACING MY VEHICLE INTO THE ON-COMING TRAFFIC LANE. FORTUNATELY, MY VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR ROADSIDE OBSTACLES. AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP, I MANAGED TO NEGOTIATE THE LEFT TURN, IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF A 5-POINT INTERSECTION AND INTO A SAFER AREA. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN THE TURN, I HEARD METAL GRINDING AGAINST METAL. I PULLED THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY INTO THE FIRST AVAILABLE TURN OFF, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE A CHURCH PARKING LOT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN A SERVICEABLE CONDITION AND WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WAS SIGNIFICANTLY TORN BETWEEN THE SHOCK MOUNT AND THE BALL JOINT. THE CORROSION DAMAGE IS SIGNIFICANT ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ARM. IT LOOKS AS IF IT BLEW UP. THERE IS STILL A SMALL PORTION THAT IS STILL ATTACHED BUT IT IS COMPLETELY IMMOBILE. THE TIRE IS PUSHED UP AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF COOPERATION THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM HYUNDAI CORPORATE OFFICE RECALL DIVISION. THEY HAVE NOT AGREED TO FIX ANY DAMAGE TO THE CAR AS A RESULT OR REIMBURSE EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO THE INCIDENT. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THEY CLAIM THE REASON WE DIDN'T GET A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL IS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT EVERYONE TO COME IN AT THE SAME TIME SO THEY ARE SPACING IT OUT! IT'S COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE OF THEM TO NOT NOTIFY THE CONSUMER OF THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT! I AM 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND OFTEN DRIVE MY 2 YR OLD! *TR
BRAKE ROTORS FEEL AS IF THERE WARPED WHEN VEHICLE SITS FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS WITHOUT DRIVING. WHEN DRIVEN AFTER THAT TIME PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE, WHEN BRAKES ARE PRESS TO STOP VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE GETS A VERY NOTICEABLE PULSATING FEEL IN THE FOOT PETAL. POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO STOP. A DEFINITE STOPPING CONTROL HAZARD. *TR
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY CAR (I BOUGHT IT NEW), IT HAS A PROBLEM IN WHICH IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW ABOUT 35 DEGREES FAHR), THE BRAKES ARE VERY TIGHT AND DO NOT WORK PROPERLY FOR THE 1ST 2-3 MINUTES. AS THE CAR WARMS, BRAKE FUNCTION RETURNS TO NORMAL. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED MULTIPLE OWNERS OF HYUNDAI'S AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, AND YOUR OFFICE ISSUED A RECALL OF SATURN SKY AND PONTIAC SOLSTICE VEHICLES IN 2008 FOR AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM (RECALL NUMBER PE08016). PLEASE INVESTIGATE--IT APPEARS TO ME THAT HYUNDAI ELANTRAS SUCH AS MINE SHOULD RECEIVE A SIMILAR RECALL. *TR
DRIVING 25 MPH - APPROACHED STOP SIGN - BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, NO PEDAL, PUMPED BRAKES, NO PETAL AND NO STOPPING - NO WARNING, NO BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH - RAN THROUGH A STOP SIGN UNABLE TO STOP - NO ONE WAS COMING FORTUNATELY - PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD - HAS VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS ADVISED MY VEHICLE WAS 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REPAIRS WOULD COST $1400.00 TO REPLACE A LEAKING ABS ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE. I QUESTIONED WHY ALL BRAKES FAILED AT ONCE WITHOUT WARNING SINCE THIS IS A DUAL MASTER CYLINDER SYSTEM WHICH SHOULD SEGREGATE BRAKING FRONT FROM REAR. I ALSO QUESTIONED WHY SUCH A SERIOUS DEFECT WOULD NOT BE COVERED SINCE THIS CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES, IS 3 MONTHS BEYOND THE 5 YEAR APPLIED WARRANTY, AND REPORTEDLY HAS A 10 YEAR, 100,000 WARRANTY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER EXACT SAME YEAR AND MODEL CAR IN OUR FAMILY. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI 800 LINE FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT. THEY ADVISED ME THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND GET BACK TO ME WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS. *TR
I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED ON MARCH 3, 2007, IT PASSED INSPECTION. ON MARCH 23, 2007 LOST THE BRAKES. UPON DEALER'S INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES,THEY FOUND THE PADS CAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE SHOES. ALSO, THE WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING. THE BRAKES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE FINE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THEM BLOWING APART. NOW I AM OUT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND AM VERY THANKFUL THIS OCCURRED ON A BACK ROAD AND NOT ON A HIGHWAY. SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 60MPH IN ICY CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL WITH MINOR DAMAGE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A WRITTEN REPORT WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND YARD TO AWAIT INSPECTION FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE LATCH SYSTEM, THE SEAT BELT COVERED THE LATCH BRACKET.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THIS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE CYLINDER, TURNED THE REAR DRUMS, AND ROUNDED OUT THE LETTER. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES THE DEALERSHIP ROUNDED OUT THE LETTER AGAIN. THIS WAS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION, AND THE NOISE CAME BACK EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON MARCH 3, 2005, THE VEHICLE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V496000 ON AUGUST 10, 2005. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED THE BODY SHOP TO INSTALL AN AFTER MARKET AXLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALL REPAIRS MADE DUE TO THE AFTER-MARKET PARTS BEING INSTALLED, AND THE SENSORS WERE INSTALLED WRONGLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. *AK
ON 11/03/05 I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. I DID NOT REALIZE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT DID TELL THE POLICE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH EITHER THE BRAKES OR THE TIRES. I JUST HAD A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP! I FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WAS $1,385.00 AND I HAVE NO IDEA OF THE DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. I SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED, AFTER DUPLICATING THE INCIDENT, MY FOOT WAS ON BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. THE BRAKE PEDAL, ON THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA, IS 2.25 INCHES FROM THE ACCELERATOR. A SIMILAR INCIDENT RESULTED IN A 424,000 VEHICLE RECALL AND CORRECTION BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN THEIR CASE THE RELATIONSHIP WAS 1.95 INCHES THIS DISTANCE TO THE ACCELERATOR, ON THE ELANTRA, WAS NOT THE MAJOR ISSUE, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ONLY ONE INCH ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN FULLY BRAKING THE BRAKE IS ONE INCH BELOW THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN YOU COMBINE THE TWO THE END RESULT MAY BE DEVASTATING. I HAVE A SECOND VEHICLE, A HYUNDAI SONATA, IN THIS ONE THE BRAKE IS 3.25 INCHES FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND ALSO IS 2.25 INCHES ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR. UPON BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL REMAINS .50 INCHES ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR. NO PROBLEM! *NM
WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WAS SO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR THAT CONSUMER PRESSED BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK THE ENGINE WOULD EXCEED THE BRAKING POWER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPEED UP INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES HARDER WITH THE VEHICLE SPEEDING UP EVEN MORE. *SC THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *JB
BRAKES ENGAGE UNEVENLY CAUSING THE REAR END OF CAR TO SWING TO THE LEFT ON SNOW OR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THIS CAUSES LOST OF CONTROL. DEALER LOOKED AT CAR DURING SERVICING AND SAID THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. *JB
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECAL 03V496000 CONCERNING BRAKE WEAR/CORROSION: CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT RECALL REPAIRS. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE, BUT THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK *NM
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND VEHICLE STARTED MOVING BACK AND FORTH ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING. TWO PEOPLE WERE IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND HEAD BRUISES. VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. *AK *NM
THE BRAKES FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER CRASHED THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SINCE SALT WATER WAS INVOLVED. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE CONSUMER AND THE MANUFACTURER IS IN DENIAL OF ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM THERE WAS ALSO OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER LATER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM.*JB
ALMOST EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER HEARD THE NOISE AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED TIMES. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOUR TIMES CONCERNING BRAK PROBLEMS. *AK
BRAKES WORE OUT AT 5,568 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL PROCEDURE. *AK THE CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN RESURFACED BOTH REAR DRUMS AND ADJUSTED THE BRAKES. *NM
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. A RECALL NOTICE WAS MAILED TO CONSUMER ONE YEAR AFTER VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS KILLED. THE OWNER'S FATHER WANTED TO KNOW WHY DID IT SO LONG TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL. *AK
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, I FILED A COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE 10049365. I HAVE SEEN NO RESPONSES OF ANY TYPE. NOW TO TAKE THAT COMPLAINT A STEP FURTHER. MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS HYUNDAI DEATH TRAP,AND THE UNWILLINGNESS OF HMA TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEMS ,OR THE DEALERS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THIS WEB SITE. AS I MENTIONED IN MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, I WENT THROUGH THE LEMON LAW PROCESS IN MY STATE. THEY REQUIRE ARBITRATION WITH THE BBB AUTOLINE. THE ARBITRATION WAS A JOKE AND THE HMA REPRESENTATIVE ACCUSED MY WIFE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AND PUT ALL OF THE CAR WOES ON HER. SHE DRIVES THE CAR FOR WORK, MOSTLY HIGHWAY. ALSO, THE ARBITRATOR ACCUSED US OF HAVING A TOW HITCH ON THE CAR, WHICH IS LEGAL, BUT NOT RECOMMENDED. WELL, WE HAVE NO TRAILER OR HITCH. THE BBB AUTOLINE IS RIGGED AGAINST THE CONSUMER AND THEY SHOULD NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS WHATSOEVER. HYUNDAIS OF THIS MODEL ARE CERTAIN DEATH TRAPS AND I FEEL THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD ORDER HMA TO REPAIR EVERYONE OF THEM NOW. THE CONSUMER IS STUCK BETWEEN A GLOBAL CONGLOMERATE AND LOCAL DEALERS WHO WILL NOT REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. *LA
PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE BRAKE HOSE RECALL 03V257000 THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST. *NM
BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE DRIVER BECAME COMATOSE. ATTORNEY FELT THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AS STATED IN RECALL 03V257000. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA REAR BRAKE TUBES.*MR HYUNDAI ISSUED A RECALL AND UPON THE RECALL THE CONSUMER NEEDED A CAR FOR WORK PURPOSES SINCE IT WAS POSSIBLE THE DEALER MIGHT HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE OVER NIGHT. HYUNDAI TOLD HIM THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR. THE CONSUMER WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE. *CB *JB
FROM DAY OF PURCHASE, I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING, STARTING ABOUT 42 MPH. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES. VIBRATION THEN STARTED ABOUT 50 MPH, BACK TO THE DEALER ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES AGAIN ALONG WITH ALIGNMENT. VIBRATION ABOUT 58 MPH BACK TO DEALER AGAIN, ROTATION, FORCED BALANCING, ROTOR TURNED DOWN, STILL HAD VIBRATION. FILED UNDER LEMON LAW, FINAL ATTEMPT BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT INVOLVED HMA REGIONAL CHIEF MECHANIC TROUBLE SHOOTER. HE CLAIMED THEY LOOSENED MOTOR MOUNTS AND LET ENGINE CENTER ITSELF, CHANGED TIRES, BALANCED AND ALIGNED AGAIN. AFTER A WEEK I PICKED UP CAR WHICH HE SAID WAS FINE. VIBRATION STILL NOTICEABLE. GAVE UP ON HMA AND DROVE CAR ABOUT 20,000 MORE MILES TILL VIBRATION GOT SO BAD I HAD TO GO TO A BRAKE SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THEY CHANGED PADS, ADJUSTED BRAKES AND REBUILT RIGHT FRONT CALIPER. NO MORE VIBRATION. HYUNDAI WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIR, SO FOLLOWING THRU WITH LEMON LAW AND HOPING TO GET OUT OF THIS DEATH TRAP. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SOME DAYS, AND STAYS ON ALL DAY, SOME DAYS IT'S NOT ON. DO THE AIR BAGS WORK. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PAINT FINISH, DOOR SEALS AND SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. REAL PIECE OF JUNK AND I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANY ONE. ALSO HAD TO HAVE BRAKE DUST REMOVED FROM REAR BRAKES AT ABOUT 7000 MILES AND THE DEALER CHARGED ME 60.00$ EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND AT THE LEAST SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY HYUNDAI. *LA ABL.PCO
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE PRIOR TO BEING NOTIFIED OF BRAKE HOSE RECALL 03V257000. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *AK
KNOCKING NOISE FROM REAR BRAKES. AFTER THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS I AM NOW BEING TOLD IT IS GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND SINCE I LIVE IN MAUI IT IS NOT ABNORMAL TO HAVE DIRT ON THE BRAKE PADS AND FOR IT TO MAKE THE KNOCKING NOISE. THIS GENERAL MAINTENANCE IS AT MY COST AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. COULD END UP A MONTHLY EXPENSE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS THE PROBLEM IF SO WHY ARE MORE CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. 3/2003 FRONT PADS GLAZED BEFORE I GOT HOME THE KNOCKING 3/2003 KNOCKING NOISE AND WINDOW PILLAR AROUND WINDOWS 5/2003 FOUND -IMPROPERLY FORMED BRAKE SHOES- REPLACED 5/28-29/2003 SHOE & LINING-IMPROPERLY FORMED BRAKE SHOES 6/5-6/6/2003 BAD SEALS -REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS ORDERED 6/23/2003 REPLACED BAD SEALS -REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS ORDERED 7/14-7/18/2003 PAINTED DOOR FRAMES DUE TO WARPING OF DOOR TRIM 10/13/2003 CLEANED BRAKE PADS 10/14/2003 NOISE IS BACK *LA
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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