RoadVitals

2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 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.
14
Latest Feb 12, 2026
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.
27%
of 51 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

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 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 12, 2026
Crash reported3 injuries reported

We pulled up at Hillgreen circle Cockysville MD To drop my boyfriend off at his apartment. I went to pull in the parking spot.I went to put the car into park and it had no brakes. I was slamming them and pumping them. It excellerated and took off. Jumped the curb,went down the hill and into the apartment building. A red light had came on the dash, right before it took off. Seemed like it was changing to gas or the electric mode,or the other way around. The airbag on the passenger side came out deflated,and filled with smoke going into the car. He was the belted front passenger and his elbow went in to the front window. You can tell by looking at it,the hole and spidered around it. He broke his right elbow. It is available anytime at the moment. It's at Hyundaii in Glen burnie. I need to get it to state farms lot,to get the Kelly blue book value. We look forward to hearing from you

NHTSA ID
11717654
Incident
Sep 14, 2025
BrakesEngine
Filed Apr 10, 2025
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The contact stated that upon pulling into an apartment complex parking lot, the contact noticed that there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately parked and exited the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the hood, the contact noticed a small fire and was able to extinguish the fire with a water bottle. The contact was able to push the vehicle into a parking space with the assistance of her son. There was no injury sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that a fluid leak from an unknown hose had caused the fire, and there was a hole in the engine block. The contact also stated that there was a puddle of fluid on the ground. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which the contact related to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,395.

NHTSA ID
11653864
Incident
Apr 7, 2025
Mileage
115,395 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started overheating, and smelled an abnormal electrical burning odor inside the cabin. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle and inspected under the hood. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which he related to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11584561
Incident
Apr 22, 2023
BrakesTransmission
Filed Apr 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Turn off the Engine Immediately" was displayed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Later, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who then diagnosed failures with the ABS and transmission. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11583377
Incident
Apr 16, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. A person stated the wrong email address is listed, never filed a complaint.

NHTSA ID
11564585
Incident
Jan 10, 2024
Brakes
Filed Nov 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11556958
Incident
Nov 27, 2023
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while stopped in traffic, the vehicle independently jolted with a message indicating a Hybrid System safety failure. Additionally, there was a message to stop driving the vehicle with an alarm sounding. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) the following day; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was test-driven; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the earliest availability was on December 23, 2023. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11556073
Incident
Nov 13, 2023
Mileage
97,500 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURES RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM CLICK MAZDA AUTO MALL (877-888-2760, LOCATED AT 700 W AUTO MALL DR, TUCSON, AZ 85705), BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
11229352
Incident
Jun 2, 2019
BrakesFuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2019

I HAD TWO CASE NUMBERS WITH HYUNDAI RELATED TO MY BRAKES AND FUEL EFFICIENCY; THE FIRST WAS HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS CASE#: 12894630 AND THE SECOND WAS HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS CASE#: 15512885. BOTH CASES WERE CLOSED PRIOR TO ME HAVING ANY SAY IN THE DECISION (EMAIL/PHONE RECORDS SHOW THIS). AFTER MY BRAKING UNIT FAILS FOR THE SECOND TIME AND I NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT DROP OFF IN FUEL PERFORMANCE (MPG), I ASKED FOR ANOTHER HYUNDAI REP TO TEST MY FUEL CONSUMPTION. WHEN THE RESULTS PROVED TO BE BETTER THAN I HAD EVER SEEN MY CAR PERFORM, EVER, I ASKED FOR THE REST SPECKS. THIS WAS ESCALATED TO HYUNDAI CORPORATE, WHO RESPONDED 'UNFORTUNATELY YOUR CASE MANAGER CANNOT PROVIDE ANY TSB'S BECAUSE IT IS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. AS FAR AS WARRANTY EXTENSION, REGRETTABLY THAT IS NOT AN OPTION. HOWEVER, IF YOU WERE TO HAVE BRAKE CONCERNS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, HYUNDAI WILL REVIEW FOR GOODWILL IF THE PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.' THIS ANSWER FAILED TO CONSIDER THE MILEAGE I WAS ALREADY LOSING IN MY HYBRID WHICH PERFORMED WORSE THAN A NON-HYBRID MODEL WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE FAILING. I MADE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO REPORT MY PROBLEMS IN THE HOPE HYUNDAI WOULD RESOLVE THEM.

NHTSA ID
11202604
Incident
Mar 21, 2019
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2018

WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE STARTED A RINGING NOISE AND AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON SCREEN "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING! SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE." AFTER THAT, "CHECK BRAKE ." APPEARED AND THE TWO MESSAGES KEPT SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BY ITSELF AND THE BREAK PUSHED DOWN TO THE FLOOR BY ITSELF. THE BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING, ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ALLOW ME TO SAFELY STOP, IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR A SHOULDER CLOSE ENOUGH TO COAST TO IT, A MAJOR ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I WAS AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME AND IN ORDER TO GET HOME I HAD TO KEEP PULLING OVER, CUTTING OFF VEHICLE, WAIT A FEW SECONDS, DRIVE AGAIN, PULL OVER, AND WAIT. I WAS ALMOST IN THREE ACCIDENTS. WHEN I GOT HOME, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND MORE HYUNDAI OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I TRIED DRIVING IT BUT ONCE AGAIN, IT DID THE SAME THING, IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY $2700. SINCE THIS IS HAPPENING WITH OTHER VEHICLES, AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I FEEL HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX IT. I HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE A FEW MONTHS AGO WHERE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45 MILES, IN TRAFFIC, WITH ERROR MESSAGE,HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING! SAFELY STOP AND DO NOT DRIVE." THE VEHICLE DOES NOT LET YOU SAFELY STOP, IT JUST STOPS. THAT ISSUE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I CALLED HYUNDAI OF AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BUY IT BACK OR HELP ME OUT AND THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS VERY RUDE AND SAID NO. HYUNDAI DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUMER, JUST THE MONEY. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID
11129176
Incident
Sep 8, 2018
Mileage
77,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 14, 2016

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAVE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES QUICKLY, WHICH HAS REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND THE CAR TO SKID. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND THAT THE BRAKES ARE ACTING NORMALLY.

NHTSA ID
10895722
Incident
Aug 10, 2016
Mileage
10,700 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 2016

I'VE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH ABS SYSTEMS. MY CURRENT CAR CLAIMS TO HAVE ABS, BUT IF I SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK. THAT IS NOT ABS. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THE DEALER CLAIMED IT MET THEIR ABS STANDARDS. THE BRAKES DON'T MEET MY ABS STANDARDS. I HAVE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SOMETIMES GOING AS SLOWLY AS 20 MPH AND THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE CAR SKIDDED.

NHTSA ID
10894938
Incident
Feb 2, 2016
Mileage
9,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 26, 2016

BREAK PEDAL UNUSUAL SOUND: WHEN STANDING STILL AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, UNUSUAL NOISE CAN BE CLEARLY HEARD. I BELIEVE THIS NOISE SHOULD NOT BE PRESENT. SOUND IS REAPPEARING MORE THAN ONCE THROUGHOUT ALL BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FROM UPPER POSITION TO ITS LOWEST POSITION. SOUND IS IF SOME METAL PART WAS RUBBING AGAINST EITHER ANOTHER METAL OR PLASTIC SURFACE.

NHTSA ID
10861568
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
Mileage
7 mi
Brakes
Filed May 28, 2015

STOPPED AT A INTERSECTION, BRAKE LIGHT WARNING CAME ON, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALER, HYDRAULIC BOOSTER HAD SHORT, HYDRAULIC BOOSTER REPLACED. WONDERING WHY THE ELECTRONICS DO NOT HAVE A DUAL CHANNEL OPERATION TO ALLEVIATE THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRANDED IN AN UNDESIRABLE OR DANGEROUS LOCATION.

NHTSA ID
10722100
Incident
May 23, 2015
Mileage
700 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.

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