RoadVitals

2001 Hyundai Sonata 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.
24
Latest Oct 2, 2015
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.
12%
of 205 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.
6
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 2001 Hyundai Sonata submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 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

Brakes
Filed Oct 2, 2015

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND LEAKED OUT FLUID THROUGH A STEEL RUSTED BRAKE LINE ON DRIVER SIDE , I HAD THE STEEL LINE REPLACED, A MONTH LATER SAME INCIDENT THANK GOD IT HAPPENED AGAIN ONLY THE OPPOSITE SIDE THE BRAKE LINE LEAKED . IF THIS HAPPENED IN AN EMERGENCY STOP I MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHARE THIS .

NHTSA ID
10779253
Incident
Aug 12, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 1, 2013

HYUNDAI SONATA 2011 PUSH BUTTON START. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. YESTERDAY I WENT INTO MY CAR AND PROCEEDED TO START MY CAR. I HAD TO PUSH THE START BUTTON THREE TIMES BEFORE ACTUALLY STARTED UP. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 2 HOURS. 5 DAYS PRIOR MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL ON THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. AN EXISTING RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V113000) INDICATES THAT FOR THE 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA THE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THEY ,THE DEALERSHIP, PERFORMED THE SERVICE AND REPLACED THE STOPLAMP SWITCH. AS RESULT MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT SWITCH POINT CONTACT WITH THE PUSH-BUTTON START FEATURE. THIS IS CRAZY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554273
Incident
Nov 30, 2013
Mileage
28,159 mi
Body & structureBrakesFuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED FIFTY PERCENT OF THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE UNDER BODY RUST, BOTH THE BRAKE LINES AND THE FUEL LINES WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE UNDER BODY, BRAKE AND FUEL LINES. THE MANUFACTURER ASSISTED WITH THE REPAIR OF THE UNDER BODY ONLY AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE BRAKES AND FUEL LINES. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA ID
10442171
Incident
Jan 3, 2012
Mileage
162,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Oct 6, 2009

COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION OF BRAKE LINES. THE 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA LINES CAME APART DUE TO RUST. REPORTED INCIDENT TO HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL NOTICE DATED: 4-14-09 ID# 09V124000 ACTION# EA08016, WHICH INCLUDED QUALITY ISSUES WITH CARS SUSPENSION DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. WAS NOTIFIED BY DEALER TODAY THAT HYUNDAI WAS NOT COVERING THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINES, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY CALLED OUT IN THE RECALL. FORTUNATELY, MY SON AND I WERE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I'M NOT SURE OF THE SCOPE OF THIS DEFECTIVE, BUT OBVIOUSLY HAD WE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE OR DEATH EXPERIENCE. THANKFULLY GOD WAS WATCHING OVER US. PLEASE INVESTIGATE SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE. ALSO IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP US RESOLVE THIS MATTER WE HYUNDAI IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10286505
Incident
Sep 29, 2009
Mileage
136,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jul 17, 2009

I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC TODAY TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND HE FOUND A CORRODED HOLE IN THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY. HE MENTIONED THIS WAS RECALLED BY HYUNDAI LAST YEAR BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF SUCH A RECALL AND I'M UPSET AS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WHY WAS I NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FIRST OF ALL, AND WHAT IS HYUNDAI GOING TO DO TO FIX MY CAR? *TR

NHTSA ID
10277183
Incident
Jul 17, 2009
Mileage
91,200 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Apr 22, 2006

MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA WAS BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND AS SOON AS I HIT THE 60,000 MILE MARK (THE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY ENDED AT THIS POINT), THE CAR CONSTANTLY HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. THE AIRBAGS WERE FIXED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE BRAKES HAD A LOUD SQUEAK AND DEALER REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME). THE SIDE FRONT WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN FIXED TWICE AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR IS BROKEN AND I HAD TO PUT TAPE ON IT SO THAT IT WILL STAY UP. THE TIMING BELT WENT OUT AFTER THE WARRANTY. SOME KIND OF COIL BROKE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS TURNING ON. I STOPPED TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THE CAR BROKE DOWN, HAD IT TOWED, DEALER IN LAUREL, MD CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED IT, CHARGED ME $768, PICKED UP CAR, SAME PROBLEM, ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON AND TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. DEALER SAID THERE WAS YET ANOTHER PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND THEY CHARGED ME OVER $500. STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS CHARGED $45 FOR THE REPAIR. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. I JUST SPENT $435 ON ANOTHER REPAIR. NOW, AFTER EACH REPAIR, I JUST WAIT FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON AGAIN FOR THE NEXT EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND YET I'M STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. ABSOLUTE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER HAD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155865
Incident
Apr 8, 2006
Brakes
Filed Dec 18, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE TRAVELING AT 30/35 MPH APPROACHING AND INTERSECTION WHERE THE LIGHT WAS RED I APPLIED THE BRAKES I DID NOT STOP AND WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A ONGOING VEHICLE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED, NO INJURIES IN OTHER CAR, I WAS INJURED, CAR IS TOTALED. WHY WON'T THE CAR STOP? HELP, I GOT A TICKET, THE CAR FAILED ME I DIDN'T FAIL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10104054
Incident
Dec 14, 2004
Mileage
25,460 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 28, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THR VEHICLE JERKED TO A STOP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SPEED SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURE WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. *AK THE BRAKES HAD WORN AWAY, ONE BRAKE PAD WAS MISSING, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO SHIFT WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND IT NESSASARY TO REPLACE THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR AND FOUND THAT THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR WAS FAULTY. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10089661
Incident
Aug 20, 2004
Mileage
28,000 mi
BrakesVisibility
Filed Aug 31, 2004

IN THREE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS IN MY CAR, THE WINDOWS WHEN PUT DOWN HAVE BEEN STUCK AND NOT ABLE TO TO REMAIN IN THE UP STATUS. THE FIRST WINDOW (DRIVERS SIDE DOOR) HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO AND WAS FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND BACK WINDOWS HAVE HAPPENED WITH IN 3 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. THE BELT IN THE WINDOW IS WRAPPING AROUND THE ROTOR AND CAUSING PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10088884
Incident
Aug 25, 2004
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance+1 more
Filed Jun 28, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

I HEARD A REPETITIVE CLICKING SOUND AND TURNED MY RADIO OFF TO LISTEN. THE NOISE DIDN'T CHANGE WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AND I RESUMED MY NORMAL SPEED OF 60 MPH. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR SLOWLY & GRADUALLY BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND WAS MOVING INTO THE SHOULDER AND MEDIAN BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS. I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES BUT THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING. I HAD NO STEERING OR BRAKES AND WAS HEADING TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT 60 MPH. I HIT THE END OF A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! WE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM W/IT HESITATING WHEN IT TRIED TO SWITCH GEARS & THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIX. AND THE DRIVER WINDOW WOULD NOT STAY IN THE TRACK AND SHUT PROPERLY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10078935
Incident
Jun 15, 2004
Mileage
63,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 17, 2004

MY BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING LOUDLY AND GRINDING TERRIBLY HOWEVER EVERY TIME I GO TO THE DEALEAR FOR THIS THEY CAN NEVER SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I KEEP TAKING IN TO COVER MYSELF FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT IF MY FRONT END FALLS TO THE GROUND AS THE VEHICLE SOUNDS AS IF THOUGH IT WILL I CAN HAVE DOCUMENTS FROM THE DEALER THAT NEVER SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHAT OTHER STEPS CAN I TAKE IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT'S NORMAL FOR A HYUNDAI I LOVE MY CAR OTHER THAN THAT I'M PAYING FOR A 2001 IT SHOULD NOT SOUND AS IF I'M DRIVING A HOOPTIE EVERYTIME I PULL UP TO A STOP SIGN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072788
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Brakes
Filed May 3, 2004
Crash reported

2001 SONATA/HYUNDAI JUMPS FORWARD WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE. HIT A CAR LAST WEEK TWICE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, SO THEY CANT FIX IT. DANGEROUS VEHICLE. ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE VEHI CLE, BUT THEY CAN'T FIX IT. WHAT SHALL I DO??? HELP...MARIE PIERCE THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10068244
Incident
Apr 15, 2004
Mileage
60,105 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 30, 2004
Crash reported

MY CONFIRMATION # IS 10064158 MY PHONE # DID NOT COME OUT ON THE FORM IT IS 1- 413- 9673813 AND THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10064200
Incident
Feb 4, 2004
Mileage
41,806 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 30, 2004
Crash reported

'M ASKING FOR A LETTER STATING THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WILL BE ACTIVATED NO MATTER IF ONE, TWO, THREE,OR ALL FOUR WHEELS GO THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE. IT DOES NOT SAY IT IN THE MANUAL. THE REASON I'M ASKING IS MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ,WHICH THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES PASSED THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE. THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WAS THEN ACTIVATED. THE ROAD WAS DRY EXCEPT FOR THIS SMALL PUDDLE.MY SON TRAVELING BEHIND ANOTHER CAR , WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM WAS TAKING A RIGHT. MY SON THEN PROCEEDED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES BUT HE COULD NOT STOP. A SMALL PUDDLE FROM MELTING SNOW AND ICE HAD ACCUMMILATED THE NIGHT BEFORE,CAUSED ME TO SLIDE. FEARING THAT HE MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM , HE TRIED TO GO OVER THE CURB. THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. MY SON SLID INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR ANYWAY. THE PUDDLE CAUSED HIM TO KEEP MOVING AND THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM CREATED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES SO HE COULD NOT PRESS THEM DOWN ALL THE WAY. THE NEXT DAY I WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE ON PURPOSE TO SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME AND IT DID. IT CAUSES YOU NOT TO HAVE FULL CONTROL. YOU DON"T EXPECT IT WHEN THE REST OF THE ROAD IS DRY. I'M LOOKING FOR A LETTER STATING THAT THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WILL BE ACTIVATED NO MATTER IF ONE, TWO, THREE ,OR FOUR WHEELS PASS THROUGH A PUDDLE. IT IS NOT MENTIONED IN THE MANUAL THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID
10064158
Incident
Feb 4, 2004
Mileage
41,806 mi
BrakesEngineTires & wheels
Filed Aug 29, 2003

I BOUGHT MY 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH WINDOW MOTORS, FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, TIMING BELT AND ALL TIRES. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A BRAND NEW CAR WOULD BE TROUBLE-FREE (THAT'S WHY I CHOSE HYUNDAI, BECAUSE OF THE GREAT WARRANTY) HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT IS NOT THE CASE. MY CAR RECENTLY BROKE DOWN ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, HAD TO BE TOWED AND WAS IN FOR REPAIR FOR A WEEK (TIMING BELT), WHICH WAS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE FOR ME. I AM NOW LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE TRADE-IN FOR MY HYUNDAI AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ONE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10036859
Incident
Aug 19, 2003
Mileage
54,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 30, 2003

FRONT BRAKE VIBRATION. ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED 5 TIMES AND REPLACED ONCE . VIBRATION REOCCURS EVERY 7-10000 MILES

NHTSA ID
10016773
Incident
May 25, 2001
Mileage
10,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 11, 2003

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS WHICH WERE WARPED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10015732
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Mileage
4,500 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Feb 25, 2003

THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY PULL. *JB THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT HIGH SPEEDS(DUE TO WARPED ROTORS), A TAP NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TIMING BELT, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DIE AT THE SPEED OF 60 MPH. THE TIMING BELT, THE BROKEN COUNTER BALANCE, AND THE MISSING TIMING BELT TEETH WERE REPLACED. *SCC

NHTSA ID
10009262
Incident
Feb 23, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2003

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE WAS A NOISE DUE TO A FAULTY CALIPER. DEALER HAS INSPECTED ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS, CHANGE ROTORS PADS BUT UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA ID
10002528
Incident
Jan 10, 2003
Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2002

THE ROTRS ON THE VEHICLE WARPED PREMATURELY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *MR *NLM

NHTSA ID
8022783
Mileage
40,000 mi
BrakesElectricalTires & wheels+1 more
Filed Sep 16, 2002

CONSUMER SAYS THAT HE AND HIS WIFE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING VERY LOUD. CONSUMER SAYS THERE WAS SOMEWHAT A KNOCKING OR SOMETHING LOOSE WITHIN. ALSO THE CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT TWO DAYS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. *SCC

NHTSA ID
567471
Incident
May 1, 2001
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 21, 2002
Crash reported

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES FOR A STOP LIGHT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WAS FORCE VEHICLE INTO AN INTERSECTION, AND GET INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN ONGONG VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACUERER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8012351
Incident
Jun 17, 2002
AirbagsBrakesInterior & seats
Filed Dec 1, 2001

DEALERSHIP STATES BRAKES ARE NORMAL. THEY SAID ALL HYUNDAI CAR BRAKES MAKES NOISE; WORKED ON AIR BAG LIGHT - STATED IT WAS ON DUE TO SOMEONE GIVING A JUMP IN MY CAR, LIGHT CAME BACK ON 3 DAYS LATER; CHANGED A SWITCH WHICH WAS CAUSING NO ACCERALATION, CAR STILL NOT GETTING THE ACCERATION IT SHOULD. NOW I'M GETTING SOME HUMMING NOISE FROM THE DASHBOARD SOMEWHERE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 8 MONTH. IT IS A LEMON AND JACOBS TWIN CONTINUES TO PUT A BAND-AID ON A PATIENT BLEEDING TO DEATH.*AK

NHTSA ID
755148
Incident
Sep 20, 2001
BrakesEngineVisibility
Filed Jun 25, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DURING NORMAL OPERATION VEHICLE FAILS TO START, PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. DEALER HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, AND FAILED TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN VEHICLE BEGAN HAVINB PROBLEMS WITH NO POWER, STALLING, AND MAKING NOISES, DEALER REPLACED THE PURGE CONTROL VALVE, HOWEVER PROBLEM TILL CONTINUES. BRAKES FEEL LOW TO THE FLOOR. CENTER AC VENTS AND RIGHT PASSENGER VENT BROKE, DEALER REPLACED. DEALER ADJUSTED DRIVE BELTS DUE TO BEING NOISY. *SLC

NHTSA ID
891071
Incident
Feb 1, 2001

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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .