RoadVitals

2016 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.
9
Latest Apr 20, 2023
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.
7%
of 131 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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

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 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 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

BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The "Stop Car, Check Brakes" message was displayed. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle, and stated that after restarting the vehicle, the warning lights were no longer illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) and 21V749000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred intermittently. The vehicle was then taken to Homestead Hyundai (111 S Homestead Blvd, Homestead, FL 33030) where it was diagnosed that the power brake booster and rear wheel speed sensors needed to be replaced. The power brake booster was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer, and the wheel speed sensors were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11518028
Incident
Apr 7, 2023
Mileage
130,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the warning message "Stop Car, Check Brake" illuminated and the brake pedal felt rigid when depressed. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that as she restarted the vehicle, the brake pedal was no longer rigid, and responded when depressed. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake unit and the pressure source needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 114,897.

NHTSA ID
11441089
Incident
Nov 13, 2021
Mileage
114,897 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 30, 2019

DRIVING TO AIRPORT IN CAR. JUST PULLED IN TO FREEWAY AFTER STOPPING AT STORE 45 MINS INTO DRIVE. MY 3016 SONATA HYBRID LIMITED STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. MY BOYFRIEND WHO IS A MECHANIC RECOGNIZED IT IMMEDIATLY. THEN SUDDENLY ENGINE MADE LOUD NOISE AND PARTS AND OIL FLEW ALL OVER BEHIND US FROM UNDERNEATH CAR. HE MANAGED TO GET IT OFF ROAD WITHOUT US GETTING HIT.WAITED 4 HOURS FOR TOW THAT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTIES I PURCHASED. HYUNDAI TRIED TO STATE THAT ONLY 2 PEOPLE COULD RIDE IN TOW TRUCK. SO ONE PERSON (THERE WERE 2 ADULTS AND A CHILD) WOULD HAVE TO WAIT IN MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WHILE OTHER 2 WENT THE HOUR BACK HOME WITH TOW TRUCK AND THEN CAME THE HOUR BACK. THERE WASN'T A GAS STATION OR ANYTHING AROUND. THE CAR IS IN SHOP WAITING TO SEE WHAT WARRANTY SAYS ABOUT IT NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AND WAS IN HYUNDAI SHOP 5 WEEKS PRIOR WITH ABS UNIT NEEDING REPLACED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT THAT ALERTED US TO A POSSIBLE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11292204
Incident
Dec 26, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 12, 2019

AFTER THE CAR HAS SAT IDLE FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO START THE CAR I GET A WHOOOOMP SOUND. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE CAR SITS IDLE FOR AWHILE THE AIR GOES OUT OF THE BREAKING SYSTEM AND THEREFORE IT MAKES THIS SOUND AT START UP. MY QUESTION ARE WHY, AFTER TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, IS IT HAPPENING NOW? AND, WHY ISN'T THE PART ALLOWING AIR TO ESCAPE REPLACED?

NHTSA ID
11176637
Incident
Feb 12, 2019
Mileage
29,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 2018

II OWN A 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID WITH 34,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR UNTIL THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON AUG 5, 2018 WHILE DRIVING ON THREE LANE HIGHWAY 99 NORTH OF MODESTO. AT ABOUT 70MPH THE DASHBOARD LITE UP WITH BRAKE SYSTEM WARNINGS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I STRUGGLED IN TRAFFIC TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT TO THE APRON AND FOUND I HAD NO BRAKES BUT MANAGED TO STOP. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND VISUALLY INSPECTED THE CAR, ESPECIALLY THE BRAKES. SEEING NOTHING, AFTER A FEW MINUTES, TURNED IT BACK ON. THE ENGINE STARTED BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I HAD BRAKES AND SLOWLY DROVE TO AN OFF RAMP TO GET HELP. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, I STOPPED AND AGAIN TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, ALL SYSTEMS WERE GOOD. I DROVE OVER 100 MILES HOME WITHOUT PROBLEMS. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER, ALEXANDER HYUNDAI, OXNARD CA. AFTER 2 DAYS, THEY FOUND NO FAULTS BUT IN CONSULTATION WITH HYUNDAI SUPPORT, DECIDED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM AND PERFORMED THE HYUNDAI RECOMMENDED SERVICE. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR BASED ON THE SERVICE PERFORMED. I WAS NOT USING THE BRAKES AT THE TIME OF THE SHUTDOWN AND WOULDN'T EXPECT IT TO FIX ITSELF. I WOULD NOT EXPECT THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED TO CAUSE AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I RECEIVED NO ASSURANCES THAT IT WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN. THERE SHOULD BE A LIMITED NUMBER OF FAULTS THAT CREATE AN IMMEDIATE SHUTDOWN AND THE FAULT DESCRIBED SHOULD BE NOT BE ONE OF THEM. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN AND DID WHAT HYUNDAI TECHNICAL SUPPORT RECOMMENDED. THEY PROVIDED NO EVIDENCE THEIR SERVICE REVEALED ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. SINCE THEY HAVE DONE WHAT THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION PRESCRIBED, THEY FEEL NO LIABILITY OR CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY.

NHTSA ID
11124404
Incident
Aug 5, 2018
Mileage
34,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 2017

9/14 VEHICLE PARKING BREAKS ENGAGED. REPLACED PARKING BREAK SENSOR AND MOTOR AND CAR WAS AVAILABLE TO BE PICKED UP ON 9/21, BUT NOT PICKED UP UNTIL 9/24. ON 9/25 PARKING BREAK ENGAGED AGAIN DOING ROUGHLY 15MPH AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID
11025430
Incident
Sep 25, 2017
Mileage
32,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2017

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE PARKING BREAK AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED. APPROX SPEED WAS 15 MPH. REPAIRS STILL BEING WORKED AFTER 5 DAYS. UNKNOWN ROOT CAUSE. ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE MOTOR NEXT.

NHTSA ID
11024261
Incident
Sep 14, 2017
Mileage
32,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 29, 2017

THERE IS NOISE POOOOK SOUND WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT COME FROM THE BREAKING SYSTEM. MY CAR HAS ONLY 13467 MILES ON IT.THIS SOUND COMES ONCE WHEN I PRESS BRAKE PEDAL. I HEAR THE NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BETWEEN 10- 40 MILE PER HOUR SPEED. TOOK IT TO SACRAMENTO HYUNDAI FOUND THE DEFECT STILL IN GARAGE. ALSO WHEN PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SLOW RELEASE OF THE BREAK.

NHTSA ID
11002078
Incident
Jun 25, 2017
Mileage
13,460 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 2016

NEW SONATA HYBRID, OWNED 3 MONTHS, MILEAGE 6,000 MILES. RIGHT REAR BRAKES HAVE LOCKED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AT LOW SPEED WHILE NEGOTIATING A HARD LEFT TURN ON A STATE HIGHWAY. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED AT THE SAME HIGHWAY LOCATION ABOUT A MONTH APART. WHEN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES LOCKED, THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL AND AS I WAS NEGOTIATING A SHARP TURN ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, IT WAS TERRIFYING. IF THERE HAD BEEN OTHER VEHICLES COMING IN THE OPPOSING LANE, THERE VERY EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD-ON COLLISION OR WORSE (I.E CAR OVER THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN). CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10899075
Incident
Aug 25, 2016
Mileage
6,000 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

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .