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.
26
Latest Aug 25, 2017
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.
8%
of 319 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
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 2002 Hyundai Sonata submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 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 26, in the owner's own words
I HAVE A HYUNDAI SONATA. ITS 2002 WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME IT GAVE ME TROUBLE, IT WAS MAKING A GRINDING SOUND WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THE MECHANIC CHANGED MY CALIBER ON ONE SIDE OF THE CAR AND REPLACED MY HOSES. NEXT MONTH SAME SOUND STARTED AGAIN. MY MECHANIC CHANGED THE OTHER CALIBER. SIX MONTHS LATER. I STARTED HEARING THAT SAME SOUND AND THE BRAKES STARTED LOCKING. THE MECHANIC DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. TWO WEEKS LATER, I LOST MY BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC.I WAS TOLD I DAMAGED THE MASTER CYLINDER. HE PUT ALL NEW PARTS IN MY CAR (BRAKE SHOES,PADS, CALIBERS, MASTER CYLINDER, ETC.) AND TESTED IT. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING ON I-10, IT STARTED LOCKING UP AGAIN. IT HAS BAFFLED MY MECHANIC. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500.00 ON REPAIRS OF THESE BRAKES,NOT TO MENTION THE RENTAL FEES OF CARS FOR TRANSPORTATION. THERE MUST BE AN ANSWER TO WHAT IS CAUSING MY BRAKES TO NO FUNCTION PROPERLY.
NHTSA ID
11019523
Incident
Aug 23, 2017
Mileage
55 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 17, 2015
BRAKE LIGHTS DOES NOT GO OFF. BEEN REPAIRED BY HYUNDIA DEALERSHIP AND STILL DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA ID
10783074
Incident
Aug 17, 2015
Mileage
95,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 2014
I WAS GOING STRAIGHT ON A LITTLE STREET WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES... I FELT THE BRAKE PAD MOVE OUT OF PLACE... AND COULDN'T BRAKE SO I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP... BUT STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO...? *TR
NHTSA ID
10631804
Incident
Sep 8, 2014
Mileage
212,292 mi
BrakesFuel systemSteering
Filed Jan 13, 2014
WE HAD OUR VEHICLE WARRANTIED FOR THE ROTTEN FRAME ON OUR VEHICLE LAST YEAR. AT THAT POINT YOU WOULD THINK HYUNDAI WOULD HAVE WARNED US THAT OUR BRAKE LINES WERE SWISS CHEESE JUST LIKE OUR FRAME, THESE CARS ROT OUT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP. THE BRAKE LINES BROKE 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS AFTER SECTIONS WERE ALREADY REPLACED. THESE VEHICLES NEED ALL THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES REPLACED IMMEDIATELY!!! THIS IS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!! THE POWER STEERING LINE ROTTED OUT 5 YEARS AGO, THIS CAR WAS MADE OUT OF REALLY CRAPPY METAL. DANGEROUS VEHICLE. EVERYTHING ON THIS VEHICLE IS ROTTED OUT BEYOND WHAT IS NORMAL, THE WHEELS, THE BRAKE DRUMS, EVERYTHING ON THESE VEHICLES ROT TO THE POINT OF SWISS CHEESE. AFTER 10 YEARS THESE VEHICLES ARE VERY UNSAFE. OUR VEHICLE ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10559728
Incident
Oct 16, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 17, 2012
Fire reported
ALL THREE REAR BRAKES LIGHTS ON WHEN IGNITION IS SHUT OFF AND SMELL ELECTRICAL WIRE BURN. EVERY DAY NEED TO REMOVE NEGATIVE TERMINAL FROM BATTERY TO SHUT OFF THE THREE REAR BRAKES LIGHTS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10475692
Incident
Aug 21, 2011
Mileage
115,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 20, 2012
THE BRAKE LINES FROM ENGINE TO THE BACK OF THE CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE ONE OF THE ATTACHMENTS (HOLDING THE BRAKE LINES IN PLACE UNDERNEATH THE CAR) GOT RUSTED AND CORROSION. THEN IT CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO GET RUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK PRETTY BAD. IS IT NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE LINES TO GET RUSTED?? SHOULD I REPORT TO HYUNDAI? THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WENT EMPTY SO QUICKLY AND I FOUND THE LEAKING SPOT. IT SQUIRTS PRETTY BAD WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE LEAKING SPOT IS UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHERE THE BACK SEATS ARE LOCATED. I NEED SOME ADVISE BEFORE I START DOING SOMETHING. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ID
10448546
Incident
Feb 1, 2012
Mileage
86,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. UPON APPROACHING AN EXIT I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND CONSEQUENTLY I ENGAGED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO ACCIDENT ENSURED AS A RESULT. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE. REPAIRS CONSISTED OF A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKES LINES SINCE THEY WERE ALL RUSTED AND CORRODED. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT ALL THE POWER STEERING LINES REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM CURRENTLY REQUIRES REPLACEMENT DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION (SYSTEM IS LEAKING). *TR
NHTSA ID
10354625
Incident
Jun 15, 2010
Mileage
100,143 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 11, 2005
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS WE HAVE TWO 2002 HYUNDAI SONATAS, MODEL GLS 6 CYLINDER. BOTH CARS HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ROTORS WARPING AND HAVING DIFFICULTY BRAKING TO AN EMERGENCY STOP. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS ON EACH VEHICLE ONCE, AND WITHIN AN 18 MONTH PERIOD, THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS. *NM
NHTSA ID
10142489
Incident
May 12, 2004
Mileage
18,323 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2005
Crash reported
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA LX. THE BRAKE LINE WAS ATTACHED TO WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ATTACHED AND IT RUBBED AGAINST THE CV BOOT, CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE AND THE CV BOOT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT BROUGHT CAR LAST OCTOBER TO DEALER BECAUSE THE CV BOOT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, THE BRAKE LINE AND THE CV BOOT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A GARAGE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT LOOKED AS IF THE BRAKE LINE CAME LOOSE FROM WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE, AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE WITH A TEMPORARY ONE IN ORDER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DELAER CLAIMED THAT WHOEVERR REPLACED IT INSTALLED IN IMPROPERLY. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CV BOOT. SHE REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE OUT OF POCKET. HER HUSBAND FELT THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE BRAKE LINE WAS SECURELY FASTENED EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE FAILURE. TWO BOOTS AND ONE BRAKE LINE WERE REPLACED. *AK *NM
NHTSA ID
10132485
Incident
Oct 1, 2004
Brakes
Filed Aug 1, 2005
DT: ROTORS HAVE GONE BAD. THE BRAKES PUMP BACK WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED.*AK THE DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS AT 13624 MILES AND WITHIN 1000 MILES THE ROTORS WARPED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER INDICATED THAT EH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ID
10122570
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
13,624 mi
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 7, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT: CALLER GOT INTO CAR, PULLED IT OUT OF GARAGE AND GOT OUT OF IT. WHEN SHE GOT BACK INTO VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN GEAR IT MADE A SCREAMING NOISE AND ACCELERATED. SHE HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BY GOING UP A HILL INSTEAD VEHICLE HIT A HOUSE THREE DOORS AWAY. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INSURANCE CLAIMED THAT DEALER SAID THERE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK
NHTSA ID
10124454
Incident
May 23, 2005
Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2005
DURING INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF CORRODED FRONT/REAR BRAKE ROTORS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ID
10111202
Incident
Dec 4, 2004
Mileage
40,444 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 2004
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED A DRUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD IN THE REAR. THE NEXT OCCURRENCE A DRUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD WITH A GRINDING SOUND. *TC THE WAS A LOT OF CORROSION AND DIRT COLLECTED ON THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY DUE TO SALT AND SAND APPLIED TO THE ROADS IN THE WINTER. *SC *JB
NHTSA ID
10103949
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON HYUNDAI SONATA.*MR WHILE BRAKING THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FRONT HE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. OVER TIME THE NOISE PROGRESSED INTO A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT 19400 MILES AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE CORRODED AND DIRTY SURFACES THAT THE BRAKE PAD HOLDER RESTED ON. THIS SURFACE IS HORIZONTAL AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE SURFACE TO DRAIN OR CLEAN ITSELF. THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $160. FOR THE LABORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT HAVING THE BRAKE REPLACED AT 19000 MILES IS UNREASONABLE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *NM
NHTSA ID
10089364
Incident
Aug 2, 2004
Mileage
16,500 mi
Brakes
Filed May 16, 2004
HYUNDAI SONOTA 2002 HAD FRONT ROTORS REPLACED AT 10,500 MILES DUE TO WARPING. FRONT PADS WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. AT 43,500, WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP ALL 4 ROTORS WERE WARPED DURING STATE INSPECTION. SO, ONLY 33,000 MILES ON NEW FRONT ROTORS. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (VIRTIUALLY NEW). THIS DOCUMENTED ON THE CARS STATE INSPECTION REPORT DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED LOCAL HYUNDAI REP WHO REFUSED TO REPLACE ROTORS. REASON, EXCESSIVE BRAKING BY DRIVER SO NOT FAULTY MATERIALS FROM HYUNDAI. TWO REPORTS DON'T COINCIDE. EXCESSIVE BRAKING AND EXCELLENT BRAKE PASDS. LOCAL REP DID NOT COME INTO DEALERSHIP TO VIEW CONDITION OF CAR OR DO ANY INVESTIGATING INTO POTENTIAL FAULTY MANUFACTURING MATERIALS. OWNER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS. CREDIT THE DEALERSHIP FOR COMPLIMENTARY CUTTING OF ROTORS BUT HISTORY SHOWS ROTORS WILL WARP AGAIN AFTER CUTTING.*AK
NHTSA ID
10072686
Incident
May 12, 2004
Brakes
Filed Jan 20, 2004
CAR MAKES A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE BRAKES, AND SAYS THEY ARE AT 90%. DEALER HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE OF THE SCREECHING SOUND.*AK
NHTSA ID
10054492
Incident
Jan 16, 2004
Mileage
12,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 26, 2003
WHEN MOVING CONSUMER FOOT OFF BRAKE PEDAL IT WOULD PULSATE. DRIVER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
NHTSA ID
10040724
Incident
Sep 12, 2002
Brakes
Filed Aug 27, 2003
2002 HYUNDAI,SONATA HAS 28,000 MILES. HAVE HAD TO HAVE ROTORS REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE 11000 MILES. CAR SHAKES AFTER ROTORS HAVE BEEN ON CAR FOR ABOUT 4 OR 5 THOUSAND MILES. *AK
NHTSA ID
10036673
Incident
Aug 21, 2001
Mileage
9,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 1, 2003
ON COLD MORNINGS WHERE THE TEMPERATURE WOULD DROP BELOW 30, I WAS EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF BRAKE ABILITY. THIS WOULD ONLY HAPPEN THE FIRST TIME I DROVE THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND ALWAYS ON THE SECOND OR THIRD TAP OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WENT TO MY DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 AND THEY DRAINED THE BRAKE LINE AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. IT WAS NOT AND I HAD TO GO BACK. THIS LAST TIME I COULD NOT STOP IN TRAFFIC AND HAD TO ROLL THRU A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD ACTUALLY FREEZE UP OR LOCK IN THE "UP" POSITION IN THE CAR, THEREFORE NOT ALLOWING ME TO PRESS DOWN TO STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD WORK. MY DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A WEEK BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT THIS SECOND TIME. I BELIEVE HE SAID IT WAS A DEFECT IN A SPECIFIC PART. HE TOLD ME "BOOSTER VACUUM LINE CHECK VALVE FROZEN SHUT" AND HE REPLACED THE BOOSTER HOSE. IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, I AM CONCERNED OTHER SONATA OWNERS MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AND I FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS TO YOUR AGENCY.
NHTSA ID
10016836
Incident
Jan 13, 2003
Mileage
5,918 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2002
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A SQUEAKING AND LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
NHTSA ID
8024142
Incident
Oct 1, 2002
Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 2002
INTERMITTENLEY WHILE APPLYING BRAKES FROM A STOP POSITION THE VEHICLE CONTINUE ON BEFORE STOPPPING. DEALER INFORMED THAT AIR HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE LINE. TS
NHTSA ID
8023809
Incident
Nov 11, 2002
Brakes
Filed Nov 29, 2002
INTERMITTLY WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT A STOP POSITION CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL. DEALER INFORMED THAT AIR HAD TO BE REMOVED FROME BRAKE LINE. PROVIDE FUTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA ID
8023454
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering+1 more
Filed Oct 8, 2002
VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH FRONT VIBRATION. *MR THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN U-BOLT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE FROM FRONT END WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FRONT LEFT AXLE FAILURE, WHICH WAS REPLACED. BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAK AND PULSATE, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *YH
NHTSA ID
8020325
Incident
Apr 1, 2002
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2002
THE BRAKES MAKE AN EXTREMELY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND, MAINLY WHEN BREAKING. IT IS LOUD ENOUGH TO ATTRACT QUITE A BIT OF ATTENTION. IT SCARES PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES. IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO THE WARNING SOUND MADE BY WORN BRAKES. WE HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE GLAZED OUR BRAKES AND REPLACED OUR BRAKE PADS AND THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED. THEY ADVISED US THAT ALL HYUNDAIS DO THIS BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON THE CONTENT OF BRAKE PADS. I'VE ALSO CALLED THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE AND THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED- THEY CAN'T BE SAFE. IT IS VERY STRESSFUL DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH BRAKES THAT SOUND LIKE THEY COULD QUIT AT ANY TIME. MR
NHTSA ID
768047
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2002
BRAKES SQUEAL VERY LOUD EVERY TIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, DEALER CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ID
8014233
Incident
Feb 12, 2002
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