2012 Hyundai Genesis Brakes Problems

Brake pedal has been intermittently low/spongy and has progressively gotten worse. During these events, the brake pedal goes nearly to the floorboard, and braking power is weak but will typically function after pumping the pedal repeatedly. Stopping or slowing in an emergency situation may not be possible. There is no manual emergency brake. No trouble codes found, and no warning lamps illuminated related to the braking system. Dealer diagnosed faulty antilock braking system (ABS) hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU). This exact defect is addressed in Warranty Extension TXXP: Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) [XXX] Hyundai rejected this under the warranty coverage because the vehicle build date is approximately 2 weeks beyond the date range in the TSB. Subsequent web searches revealed replacement parts were available for production in late XXX. The TSB's affected date range ends on XXX. This vehicle was produced on XXX and was not included in the recall notifications. It is not known if a complete stock purge was performed on the production line or if parts were continued to be installed until old stock was depleted. Other vehicles outside of the TSB stated production date range may also have this latent critical safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11749208

Incident

May 1, 2026

I am submitting this letter as a formal safety defect complaint regarding my 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 sedan, which is experiencing braking system behavior that directly mirrors the defect described in Hyundai Recall Campaign 114 (NHTSA Campaign 13V489000), despite my vehicle not being included by VIN. Although excluded by VIN, the functional failure mode matches recalled vehicles, indicating the defect population may extend beyond the original VIN range. The vehicle exhibits the following symptoms: 1.Excessive and inconsistent brake pedal travel 2. Soft and spongy brake pedal feel 3. Highly variable brake biting point 4. Requirement to pump the brake pedal to obtain normal braking 5. Unpredictable brake engagement during normal driving These symptoms are intermittent and occur without warning, significantly increasing stopping distance and reducing driver confidence. The behavior is consistent with internal hydraulic or HECU malfunction, which the original recall attributes to corrosion caused by improper brake fluid formulation. I am particularly concerned because I am a disabled driver, and any reduction in braking reliability presents an elevated safety risk. Unpredictable brake response materially affects my ability to operate the vehicle safely and to respond to emergency conditions. While Hyundai has limited the recall to certain VIN ranges, Model Years Affected: 2009–2012 Hyundai Genesis sedans built April 30, 2008 – March 28, 2012. The braking behavior is functionally identical to recalled vehicles. This suggests the defect may not be limited to the originally identified production range and warrants further investigation. I respectfully request that NHTSA: 1. Review this complaint in the context of the existing recall 2. Evaluate whether the defect population should be expanded 3. Initiate further inquiry into VIN-excluded vehicles exhibiting identical symptoms 4. This issue represents a clear safety concern with potential for serious injury

NHTSA ID

11716198

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Brake line on driver rear rusted and leaking above brake hose. Cannot drive vehicle safely with this leak. Would leak brake fluid each time I step on brake pedal. Problem magnified when car is on and brake booster is working. Vehicle not at dealer or mechanic yet, but link to video of driver rear brake line leaking on 1-31-2026: [XXX] Service Campaign 991 [XXX] ) was completed less than two years ago on Feb 19, 2024 (today is 1/31/2026). See note about "dealer will apply an anti-corrosion treatment to certain parts, and *replace the brake lines if necessary*" Not told about any rust, nor any parts replaced. Link to service campaign quote: [XXX] No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of the problem. Assumed wheel liner covered brake line from salt. Vehicle is located in [XXX] and I suspect other brake lines are also rusted out. Would like manufacturer to replace all brake lines under warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11714723

Incident

Jan 31, 2026

recall from 2014 under Hyundai genesis BH over brake corrosion and leading to HECU /electrical / wheel stability/electrical wire problems /fire Also immobilizer and safety I now have no dash or steering wheel controls Believe car was broken into shows signs of elapsed time/fob and controls inside no longer work Two fuses inside driver side panel spark even when car is not on Took to Springfield Hyundai They not only lied and stated my car isn’t under any recall but they stated online they did a safety inspection which is not true I just replaced rear brakes and after barely driving 1,000 miles the brakes are making a wearing metal noise and sound like they are bad again I even stated I had information for the immobilizer since Hyundai didn’t install on any of their vehicles until 2022 Now I enter my vin and it comes up under the 2 door coupe not the sedan (BH) Also found archived article from car and driver about the FBI suing Hyundai in 2014 over the exact model and make 2012 Hyundai Genesis BH over brake corrosion accidents and HECU issues causing accidents and other electrical issues Now I am scared worried and I am being ignored an neglected Driving a car that clearly is not safe and putting my life in danger if I have a tampered VIN from theft of no immobilizer this is Hyundai negligence and now my VIN isn’t showing correctly for my make and model I NEED help I have videos of fuses sparking and printed recall Info for my make and model under NHTSA safety investigations I have NEVER received one recall notice from Hyundai in the mail since I am the owner since 2019 I also show DMV records of many registration transactions for years I owned vehicle I only get one registration per year Some shows 2 & 3 prior owner of vehicle worked for a car dealership in Woodbury Even Vehicle History reports aren’t correct

NHTSA ID

11576484

Incident

Feb 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake booster and brake master cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V489000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) but the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 22,000.

NHTSA ID

11567975

Incident

Dec 27, 2023

Mileage

22,000 mi

Brakes are spongy/soft - My car has been inspected by a Hyundai dealership and an ABS control module replacement has been recommended at cost of $2901. A safety recall campaign was issued in 2012 to include "certain 2009-2012MY Genesis (BH) produced from April 30, 2008 to March 28, 2012 (Recall #114). On May 9, 2022, TSB #22-BR-001H-1 was issued. My car's VIN indicates that my car was produced March 30, 2012 and the repair under the "extended warranty" has been denied because my car was produced two days later and therefore not included in the safety recall. I have reached out to Hyundai and I have a case manager assigned to me.

NHTSA ID

11541373

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V489000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

NHTSA ID

11514213

Incident

Mar 27, 2023

Mileage

181,000 mi

2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 13V-489. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE. WHILE BRAKING. ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE MADE A WHINE NOISE AT COLD STARTS. TRANSMISSION ASSMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11485385

Incident

Sep 20, 2022

ECBM Electronic Control Brake Module malfunctioned at 78,500 miles and dealer could not fix because computer would not read anything. Cold have caused a serious accident if it had happened when driving.

NHTSA ID

11484208

Incident

Apr 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V489000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, days later the contact stated that while driving the brake pedal was depressed and felt spongy while the vehicle was coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the brake rotors were replaced on the vehicle. The contact stated that failure reoccurred approximately 25,000 miles later; however, the vehicle was not taken back to dealer for diagnosis to be repaired. The contact stated that at 35,666 miles, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was informed that the front brakes needed to be replaced. Additionally, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission and front brakes were replaced. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle after picking it up from the dealer, he heard a popping sound. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was informed to reinstall the old transmission. The transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified and case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11482397

Incident

Jan 3, 2012

Mileage

25,000 mi

Brake system failure. Brake pedal and goes all the way to the floor. Hyundai dealership explained that the HECU has failed. In 2014 there was a recall on this car for this issue, Hyundai Recall 114. This recall was for "GENESIS SEDAN HECU INSPECTION AND BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT". The known issue is that the part breaks down over time and just changing the brake fluid doesn’t stop the corrosion process. The HECU part should have been replaced and not allowed to degrade further as it has now done on my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11439084

Incident

Oct 30, 2021

if the brakes are hit hard and ABS engages, the pedal immediately goes soft and stays soft braking is impared bu 50% until the ABS module resets itself randomly but only after parking the car for a while. this has happened 2X to my car and there are multiple reports on the genesis forums about the exact same issue

NHTSA ID

11432094

Incident

Sep 7, 2021

WHILE IN ROUTE TO THE DEALER FOR ONE ISSUE, MY SMART CRUISE LIGHT CAME ON. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER UPON ARRIVAL AND THEY IGNORED. THEY REPAIRED ONE ITEM UNDER WARRANTY IN WHICH I THOUGH TOOK CARE OF BOTH. BY TIME I LEFT, ALLOWED THE CAR TO WARM UP; THE SMART CRUISE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP & ASKED THEM WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS 2ND ISSUE. THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND I WAS INFORMED BY THAT TIME AND VISIT; THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY $4200 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THAT THEY NOW SEE. I HAD ALSO BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT MY ABS/ESC/AUTO HOLD LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY FLASHING, NOW THEY REMAIN SOLID. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN IN REVERSE. I HAVE READ ABOUT SEVERAL RECALLS REGARDING ISSUE. THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND I WAS TOLD IT IS NOW LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOW GIVEN ME A PRICE TOTALING $7000 TO REPAIR OR PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THIS IS MONEY I CANNOT PAY AND I KNOW MY VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED WHEN THE PROBLEMS/ RECALLS STARTED. THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL DATES.

NHTSA ID

11416665

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

APPROACHED AN EXIT FROM A PARKING LOT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GET THE BRAKES TO WORK. THE PEDAL NOW IS ABOUT HALF OF WHAT IT USED TO BE AND REQUIRES PUMPING EACH TIME THE BRAKES ARE USED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. PEDAL IS ERRATIC; SOMETIMES I HAVE ABOUT HALF PEDAL BEFORE A FIRM BRAKE PEDAL. OTHER TIMES IT IS EVEN LOWER. I HAVE NO PICTURES OR DOCUMENTATION TO INCLUDE THAT WOULD BE RELEVANT TO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11408370

Incident

Jul 7, 2020

Mileage

83,386 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V489000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT ALL STAR HYUNDAI (3950 CENTURY CT, PITTSBURG, CA 94565). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE DAY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DICK HANNAH VW OF PORTLAND (12345 E BURNSIDE ST, PORTLAND, OR 97233) WHERE THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

NHTSA ID

11391081

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

Mileage

46,000 mi

BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE PUMPED TO COMPLETELY DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND STOP THE CAR. THIS ISSUE PERSISTS THROUGHOUT USE OF THE VEHICLE AND NO MATTER WHETHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IN TOWN. THE ISSUE BEGAN SUDDENLY AND HAS BEEN CONSISTENT WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THAT POINT. THE BRAKES NOT BEING FULLY FUNCTIONAL RENDER THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND CRUISE CONTROL IS FEQUENTLY UNAVAILABLE ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11383664

Incident

Oct 2, 2020

Mileage

71,000 mi

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOORBOARD -- CAN PUMP AND GET PARTIAL BRAKE - AFRAID TO DRIVE AT HIGHER SPEEDS -- HAVE HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED AND BRAKE SYSTEM BLED- DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ID

11337875

Incident

Jun 6, 2020

Mileage

83,300 mi

THE BRAKE PEDAL OF MY CAR IS SOFT AND DEEP, AND THE BRAKING IS NOT DONE PROPERLY. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF, THE SYMPTOMS APPEARED AND I CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS. EVERY DAY DRIVING IS A CONTINUATION OF TENSION. I WENT TO THE DESIGNATED SERVICE CENTER AND INSPECTED IT. DURING THE RE-RUN, THE SAME PHENOMENON CONTINUED, AND AFTER A WEEK AGAIN, I HAD TO CHANGE THE ABS MODULE. HOW MUCH OF AN ABS MODULE DOES IT HAVE GROUNDED LIKE A BRAKE PAD? I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT. I LOOKED AT THE INTERNET AND THE MODEL I WAS RIDING WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11288981

Incident

Oct 27, 2019

I OWN A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS AND EXPERIENCE A VERY LOW GRIP ON MY BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS JUST BEEN CONFIRMED FROM A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT THE HECU IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (11/20/19). HYUNDAI HAS RECALLED CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 GENESIS SEDANS UNDER RECALL 114 OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V489 FOR THE HECU. I HAVE BEEN TOLD, HOWEVER, THAT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE SAFETY REPAIR. I FIND IT HIGHLY UNUSUAL THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM THAT SO MANY OTHER GENESIS SEDANS HAVE FACED, YET AM BEING DENIED THE NECESSARY REPAIR. I AM ASKING THAT MY VIN BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AT THIS POINT. KEEPING IN MIND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AS WELL, ALL GENESIS SEDANS MADE DURING 2009 AND 2012 SHOULD BE RE-LOOKED AT AGAIN. IT IS A $3000 FIX AND I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW UNFAIR IT IS TO KNOW THAT OTHER HYUNDAI GENESIS OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR HECU'S REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. WHY IS THEIR SAFETY MORE IMPORTANT THAN MINE?

NHTSA ID

11281561

Incident

Nov 20, 2019

ON OCTOBER 23RD, 2019, THE BRAKES ON MY 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS R-SPEC SEDAN SUDDENLY FAILED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED LUCKILY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS 79K MILES. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN ST. LOUIS PARK, MN AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED. THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL SPONGY AND GOING TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY. I WILL BE TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIX IT CORRECTLY. WHILE RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND THAT MULTIPLE OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE AND THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU) AS IT CONTAINED CORROSION WITHIN THE UNIT DUE TO BAD DESIGN WHICH CAUSES HYDRAULIC BRAKING FAILURE TO OCCUR AT ANY TIME. THIS CAMPAIGN/RECALL BELOW OUTLINES THE ISSUE WHICH I AM GOING TO PRESENT TO THE DEALER TO FIX CORRECTLY AS I AM STILL UNDER WARRANTY. TO ME, THIS IS A LIFE OR DEATH TYPE FAILURE AND COULD RESULT IN INJURIES. HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING ALL ABS HECU BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST FOR ALL 2009-2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS, NOT JUST SOME VINS THAT THEY DEEMED TROUBLESOME. THEY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL CARS AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THEIR OWNERS. HYUNDAI RECALL - CAMPAIGN 12-01-052 TSB: BH GENESIS SEDAN HECU INSPECTION AND BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT (RECALL 114) ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE OCTOBER 29, 2013 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE13033 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 43,500

NHTSA ID

11271565

Incident

Oct 23, 2019

Mileage

79,000 mi

HAVING ISSUES WITH BRAKES GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED AND AFTER A FEW MONTHS PROBLEM RETURNS. WAS THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED AS PART OF RECALL 114 NHTSA RECALL 13V489000.

NHTSA ID

11252671

Incident

Jun 20, 2019

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TODAY 08/23/19, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, BARELY ESCAPING REAR ENDS OF SEVERAL VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THERE IS THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. HAVING ENTERED MY VIN # INTO THIS SITE HAS PROVIDED NO RECALLS. ALTHOUGH READING EVERYTHING ABOUT NO.114, THAT I HAVE SOUNDS LIKE IT SHOULD BE AND IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. SOME PEOPLE, WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM, SAID THAT THE BRAKE FLUID USED WAS CAUSING FAILURE IN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER VALVES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER ERROR, AND HYUNDAI SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. I HAVE UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR DUE TO THIS SAFETY HAZARD OVER HOUR AND A HALF FROM HOME. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED/FIXED QUICKLY.

NHTSA ID

11246144

Incident

Aug 23, 2019

Mileage

73,000 mi

DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT MY ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WENT OUT. I LOST ALL CONTROL TO USE THE BRAKES TO STOP AND ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I NOTICE A RECALL ISSUE WITH THE HECU BUT LOOKS LIKE MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHY IS THAT?

NHTSA ID

11244329

Incident

Aug 15, 2019

Mileage

135,000 mi

SOFT BRAKING, INTERMITTENT. PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND MUST BE PUMPED TO STOP. I TOOK IT TO MY GO-TO GUY WHO SPECIALIZES IN BRAKES AND HE COULDN'T RECREATE IT. HE TOOK LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND COULDN'T FIND ISSUE IN THE BRAKES THEMSELVES. RECENTLY HAPPENED AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11234320

Incident

Jun 11, 2019

Mileage

109,321 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. NAPLETON'S NORTH PALM HYUNDAI (3703 NORTHLAKE BLVD, LAKE PARK, FL 33403, 1-888-691-9402) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V489000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11233044

Incident

Jun 5, 2019

Mileage

45,000 mi