RoadVitals

2006 Hyundai Elantra Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
34
Latest Oct 13, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 155 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

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 2006 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.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words

BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Oct 13, 2020

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BUT MY FUSES ARE NOT BLOWN.

NHTSA ID
11364051
Incident
Oct 13, 2020
Mileage
103,072 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Nov 6, 2019

AIR BAG LIGHT ON BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER CAR OFF AND FOOT NOT PUSHING THEM ON

NHTSA ID
11278401
Incident
Sep 2, 2019
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2018

MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING ALL OF A SUDDEN. I REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND NOTHING CHANGED. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION AND DESCRIBES IN DETAIL THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR BUT MY VIN DOES NOT APPEAR TO QUALIFY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA ID
11160620
Incident
Dec 9, 2018
Mileage
89,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Feb 24, 2018

MY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR NO LONGER DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER, SO MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ALWAYS ON, WHEN THE SEAT IS BOTH OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED. ALSO, MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NO LONGER WORKS, SO MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES OCCUR INCESSANTLY.

NHTSA ID
11074662
Incident
Nov 20, 2017
Mileage
155,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jul 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON CONDUCTING RESEARCH, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AS A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

NHTSA ID
11010562
Incident
Jul 23, 2017
Mileage
118,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 2017

ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK TODAY REVEALED ALL OF THE BREAK LIGHTING WAS NOT WORKING ON OUR 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CHECKED FUSE AND BULB AND ALL ARE WORKING. SEARCHED THIS WEBSITE AND FOUND RECALLS FOR MANY MODELS AND YEARS OF HYUNDAI, BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL. I NOTICED ALSO THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THESE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED WITH THE INSTALATION OF A NEW SWITCH

NHTSA ID
11002024
Incident
Jun 27, 2017
Mileage
85,558 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed May 24, 2017

MY CAR HAS HAD ENGINE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF FOR YEARS ON THEIR OWN, WINDOWS THAT YOU USE ONE SWITCH FOR THAT MAKE A DIFFERENT WINDOW GO DOWN AND THEN SOMETIMES THEY DON'T GO UP, MY BRAKES HAVEN'T RELEASED THE CRUISE CONTROL AT TIMES AND NOW MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF SO I CAN'T PASS INSPECTION. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH AND WANT IT FIXED, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ID
10991428
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2016

2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. CALLED HYUNDAI (800.633.5151) SINCE THIS MODEL AND YEAR WAS UNDER HYUNDAI RECALL# 092 (HTSA 09V280000). PROVIDED VIN NUMBER AND REPRESENTATIVE (KAYLA) TOLD ME THAT THAT SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT ELIGIBLE AND THAT I COULD SEND A POSTAGE LETTER TO A PO BOX FOR APPEAL. OBVIOUSLY I AM GOING TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC TO REPAIR TO AVOID ANY INJURY.

NHTSA ID
10915003
Incident
Oct 9, 2016
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Aug 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. ALSO, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,468.

NHTSA ID
10896978
Incident
Aug 17, 2016
Mileage
163,468 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN OPERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V280000(EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,354.

NHTSA ID
10818162
Incident
Jan 3, 2016
Mileage
153,354 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 19, 2015

I HAVE A BAD BRAKE SWITCH, AND NOTICED THAT THE ONLY RECALL IS IN PUERTO RICO. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI AMERICA SHOULD BE RECALLING ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. I HAVE NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW AND MAKE HYUNDAI FIX THIS "SAFETY "ISSUE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
10735035
Incident
Jul 19, 2015
Mileage
114,071 mi
Brakes
Filed May 12, 2015

BRAKE SWITCH BAD, NO BRAKE LIGHTS. OCCASIONALLY, IT WOULD KEEP THE CAR FROM STARTING. HAD TO REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE AS HYUNDAI SAID MY CAR WAS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLS FOR THE BAD BRAKE SWITCH.

NHTSA ID
10716088
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
76,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A CRASH WAS PREVENTED DUE TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10670603
Incident
Oct 7, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 2014

UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT REAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE BRAKE SERVICE PROVIDER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRUM COULD NOT BE REMOVED DUE THE FACT THAT THE SHOES WERE EXTENDED TO FAR. THERE WAS NO WAY TO MANUALLY ADJUST THEM IN AS THERE WAS NO ACCESS HOLE ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE DRUM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT TO ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THEM UNDER THE CONDITIONS CREATED THERE WOULD BE DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION OF PARTS INVOLVED. PROVIDER WAS ABLE TO VISIBLY INSPECT THE BRAKE SHOES AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS PLENTY OF MATERIAL REMAINING. WHY WOULD THERE BE NO ACCESS TO ADJUST? *TR

NHTSA ID
10664103
Incident
Oct 22, 2014
Mileage
90,888 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 31, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PARKING, THE BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10651693
Incident
Oct 29, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 30, 2014

ON THIS DATE I EXPERIENCED THE 4TH OF 5 INCIDENCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN THE 8 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING IN DAYTONA BEACH APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THERE WAS A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE ACCELERATION REVVED THE ENGINE. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE KEY TO STOP THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT AS HAD BEEN SUGGESTED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THE LAST TIME I HAD TAKEN IT IN FOR THIS ISSUE. I DROVE IT HOME SAFELY, BUT THE NEXT MORNING IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP, AGAIN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD ALMOST HITTING A BMW. I AGAIN DROVE IT HOME SAFELY, PARKED IT AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. I MADE ARRANGEMENT TO TAKE IT IN ON JULY 7TH TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN. OUT OF FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY KEPT IT FOR 2 DAYS, DROVE IT 240 MILES AND ONCE AGAIN COULD FIND NO ISSUE. THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY OUT OF FEAR OF KILLING SOMEONE OR DAMAGING PROPERTY. WHEN I TOLD THEM I HAD FOUND MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING WITH HYUNDAIS ONLINE, THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH A THING. ONE ARTICLE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN 2012. WHILE I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS ONE, AND WOULD NOT WANT TO SELL IT TO ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES I HAVE EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA ID
10618543
Incident
Jun 30, 2014
Mileage
68,500 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jun 4, 2014

WHILE DRIVING WHEN I GO TO BRAKE MY BRAKES DON'T TURN ON. ALL THREE OF THEM STAY TURNED OFF. I WAS PULLED OVER FOR THIS TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR. THE FIRST TIME MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN WASN'T AFFECTED IN THE RECALL. THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN WHEN I REPLACED MY BATTERY BUT WHO KNOWS FOR HOW LONG. I WAS JUST PULLED OVER AGAIN ON MONDAY FOR THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10596224
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Sep 9, 2013

BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO WORK ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. DEALER TECHNICIANS IDENTIFIED AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WHICH THEY REPLACED AT A COST OF $145. I LATER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LIMITED RECALL IN JULY 2009 AT NHTSA CAMPAIGN #09V280000 FOR 2005-2007 ELANTRAS IN PUERTO RICO, AND THEN IN APRIL 2013, AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A PENDING RECALL OF MODEL YEARS 2007-2013. IT APPEARS THAT HYUNDAI HAS DETERMINED THAT THEY NO LONGER NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE 2006 MODEL YEAR EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ORIGINALLY IDENTIFIED AS EARLY AS JULY 2009. *TR

NHTSA ID
10542681
Incident
Apr 18, 2013
Mileage
83,450 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Aug 27, 2013

HYUNDAI RECENTLY HAD A RECALL ON BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. UNFORTUNATELY THIS APPLIES TO THE 2007 ELANTRA AND I HAVE THE 2006. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE COMPLETELY OUT. AFTER CHECKING THE FUSES AND THE BULBS I REALIZED IT WAS THE RECENTLY RECALLED FAULTY BRAKE LIKE SWITCH TO BLAME. $155 LATER IT'S REPAIRED. THEY REALLY NEED TO INCLUDE OTHER YEARS AND MODELS ON THIS RECALL, AND SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER CONSUMERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. SOMEONE COULD HAVE REAR ENDED ME AND I COULD HAVE DIED HAD SOMEONE NOT TOLD ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10537576
Incident
Aug 25, 2013
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 15, 2013

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE. I EXPERIENCED THIS AS THE CAR "LURCHING" FORWARD WHEN BRAKING, AS THE ENGINE IS TRYING TO BRING THE CAR BACK UP TO THE PRE-SET SPEED. THIS HAPPENED, MOST RECENTLY, WHILE ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE SUDDEN LURCH WAS FRIGHTENING SINCE IT WAS UNEXPECTED. THE LURCH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO MAKE CONTACT WITH CAR AHEAD OF ME. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. EVEN WITH MULTIPLE PRESSES OF THE BRAKE THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. IT WAS ONLY BY USING THE HAND CONTROLS WAS I ABLE TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 TIMES, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM SYSTEMATICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10512243
Incident
May 15, 2013
Mileage
105,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Mar 6, 2013

BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ILLUMINATING ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, FOR THE PAST WEEK THEY ONLY WORK FOR A MINUTE OR NOT WORK AT ALL.WENT 2 TIMES TO THE DEALER BEFORE, TWICE THEY WERE WORKING WHEN I ARRIVED, SINCE LAST WEEK THEY ARE NOT WORKING EXCEPT FOR A MINUTE. I HAVE 2 MONTHS WITH THE PROBLEM I WORK 7 DAYS A WEEK AND CANNOT KEEP TAKING TIME OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT MY SPECIFIC MODEL YEAR ELANTRA 2006 IS NOT COVER BY THE RECALL, JUST TO INSPECT THEM COST $ 120, IF A PROBLEM IS FOUND PARTS AND LABOR. HYUNDAI DOESN'T ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR HAS 50'000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501895
Incident
Jan 7, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 27, 2012

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION RESULTED IN BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE. PART NUMBER 93810-3K000. THIS PART HAS BEEN RECALLED IN PUERTO RICO ONLY, BUT FAILURE OF THIS PART MAY INDICATE A MORE GEOGRAPHICALLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN HAWAII. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490254
Incident
Dec 27, 2012
Mileage
105,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Dec 23, 2012

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CAUSE WAS A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY TSB 09-01-018. *TR

NHTSA ID
10489582
Incident
Dec 23, 2012
Mileage
52,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 11, 2012

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION HAD CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. HAVE NOT USED CRUISE CONTROL SINCE BUT BRAKE LIGHTS STILL DON'T WORK AND IT IS AFFECTING CARS REMOTE START THAT THE DEALER INSTALLED. CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF BUY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. AND AFTER TURNING KEY TO ON POSITION AND THEN OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487973
Incident
Jul 20, 2012
Mileage
58,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Sep 13, 2012

MY WIFE NOTICED HER BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I LOOKED INTO AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH FOR HER MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. THE RECALL IS NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V122000. WE CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GAVE THEM HER VIN, AND THEY SAID HER VEHICLE HAD NO RECALLS. WE TOOK HER CAR TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC TO GET REPAIRED. IT TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH THAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WAS REPLACED. IT COST US $70 TO HAVE FIXED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE COULD NOT BELIEVE OUR VEHICLE WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE HE HAS HAD ALOT OF VEHICLES WITH THAT SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE REVIEWED FURTHER AND I WOULD LIKE HYUNDAI TO COVER OUR REPAIR COST FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10475264
Incident
Sep 5, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .