2008 Hyundai Sonata Brakes Problems

On November 4, 2024 while coming to a stop in traffic, the brake pedal went to the floor without any warning. Just prior to using the brakes, there was no feeling of softness in the pedal, and no indication a low pedal situation, and there was no indicator of pending brake failure. The brake light indicator only lit when the brake pedal went to the floor. I was fortunate that I did not rear end the vehicle ahead, or more seriously had there been a jay walker, because i quickly pumped the brake pedal with what little braking I had while shifting the automatic transmission to second gear. I was able to slowly drive ten miles home in second gear while using the hand brakes. eom

NHTSA ID

11627044

Incident

Nov 4, 2024

Hello, I recently purchased a 2008 Hyundai Sonata in Germany and entered the VIN on your website. I noticed that there is an outstanding recall, Manufacturer Recall Number 110 and NHTSA Recall Number 13V113000. I contacted the local dealership in Frankfurt and they informed me that I needed to coordinate with Hyundai North America because my vehicle had U.S. specifications. I contacted [email protected] in July 2021 and provided all of the information/documentation requested. Hyundai assigned a Consumer Affairs Case number: 18365036 and assured me that they would send the part to the dealership in Frankfurt ad that they would notify me once the part arrived so that they could take care of the recall. I never heard back or received any further updates. In December 2021, while I was in the U.S., I called Hyundai and requested to speak to someone at their Executive Office that handled complaints. I spoke with "Momo" who informed me that my case had been closed. I provided my contact information, including email, and asked that she look at the numerous email strings related to my case, including one that confirmed that the issue would be resolved. "Momo" assured me that she would escalate the matter and that someone would contact me to resolve the issue. I have not heard from Hyundai since my conversation with "Momo" and have sent a couple of emails requesting an update but haven't received a response. I would respectfully request that a formal investigation be initiated by your office to look into the negligent and unresponsive attitude by Hyundai towards recalls. My experience has reinforced the concern that I had that Hyundai is not committed to the safety of the American consumer and a complete disregard to your office's authority. Hyundai has al of the information that they need to take fix the issue with their vehicle but choose to ignore it. I have bent over backwards to provide everything requested and Hyundai has the string of emails to confirm.

NHTSA ID

11447581

Incident

Jul 6, 2021

I put the car in reverse while parked in a parking lot, when I put the car in reverse, the car took off at a high rate of speed striking one vehicle and continued at a high speed in reverse about 20 or 30 feet also hitting a return cart station, knocking it over and the car still proceeded to crash into a large parked pickup truck causing significant damage to the truck and also my vehicle. The brakes would not stop the car. The car finally stopped after the hard impact with the truck. My car has been deemed a total by my insurance.

NHTSA ID

11442023

Incident

Nov 17, 2021

THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS CAME OFF AND SO HAS THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS CAME OFF AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS TOTALLY INOPERABLE. THIS S A TOTAL SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A CAR CRASH GOD FORBID OR EVEN THE CAR CATCHING FIRE. GETTING TO SAFETY WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT. I CANT AFFORD TO CONTINUING FIXING AN ISSUE THAT IS DEFECTED TO BEGIN WITH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS DOESN'T ILLUMINATE ALL TIME WHEN ENGAGED AND MY AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ON AND MY CAR SWAYS IN THE BACK DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM BEING RUSTED

NHTSA ID

11383271

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

TODAY MY ABS LIGHT WENT ON AND THE BRAKES BECAME ROCK HARD COULD NOT PRESS DOWN ON THEM. THEN I PARKED THE CAR CHECKED ALL FLUIDS AND BELTS, TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN THE ABS LIGHT TURNED OFF. STARTED TO DRIVE TRIED ACCELERATING FROM 25MPH TO 30MPH THEN ESC LIGHT WENT ON LOCKED MY BRAKES TRIED DRIVING TO PARK IN A SAFE PLACE AS SOON AS I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF A BAD SMELL AND LOTS OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF MY FRONT TIRES AND REAR TIRES. GOT CAR TOWED BREAKS ARE OK MY MECHANIC PRESSED THE ESC BUTTON OFF AND NOW BREAKS ARE SOFT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MALFUNCTION THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THAT WILL CAUSE A RECALL. ALSO TPMS LIGHT RANDOMLY GOES ON AND OFF. TIRE PRESSURE AGAIN IS FINE. PLEASE CONSIDER LOOKING INTO THIS. IT?S THE ONLY CAR WE?VE HAD FOR ABOUT 9 YEARS AND NOW MY DAUGHTER DRIVES IT TO SCHOOL. SAFETY PLEASE!! THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11244305

Incident

Aug 15, 2019

Mileage

130,789 mi

AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED, THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2008 SONATA RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. REPAIR COSTS NEAR $600. SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT "EVERY ONE OF THESE CARS WILL BE IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM" DUE TO THE DESIGN. THE TWO BRAKE LINES AND TWO FUEL LINES WHICH RUN FROM FRONT TO REAR ON THE VEHICLE (UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT) ARE HELD IN PLACE WITH CLIPS AND THEN THE ENTIRE LENGTH IS COVERED WITH A RECTANGULAR PLASTIC COVER (OR RACEWAY). WHILE THIS MIGHT WORK WELL IN OTHER CLIMATES, HERE IN THE NORTHEAST "SALT BELT", THIS COVER TRAPS THE ROAD SALT WHICH COLLECTS AT THE CLIPS AND ROTS THROUGH THE STEEL BRAKE LINES. FUEL LINES ARE NOT STEEL AND ARE NOT AFFECTED. AT THE VERY LEAST, HYUNDAI SHOULD REQUIRE CUSTOMERS TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THE COVER REMOVED AND DISCARDED, AND THE LINES WASHED OFF AND INSPECTED. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THEY SHOULD REPAIR THE DAMAGE. DUE TO THE WAY THE LINES ARE ROUTED, THE POSITION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THE REPAIR IS COSTLY - BUT IS ALL LABOR. IT IS ABOUT $50 IN PARTS AND $500 IN LABOR.

NHTSA ID

10983443

Incident

May 2, 2017

Mileage

73,250 mi

WE RETURNED TO THE CHICAGO AIRPORT FROM A VACATION AND WERE GOING TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME, 200 MILES TO GREEN BAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TO DEPRESS FURTHER THAN NORMAL RIGHT AWAY BUT WE FIGURED IT WAS DUE TO THE CAR SITTING FOR A WEEK. WE PROCEEDED WITH OUR DIVE BUT AFTER ABOUT 100 MILES NEEDED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING AS THEY SHOULD. WE PUT BRAKE FLUID IN THE VEHICLE BUT STILL THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. AT ONE POINT I HAD DEPRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING. I FOUND A MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ISSUE RIGHT AWAY AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER GETTING A LOANER TO GET HOME, I HAD TO DRIVE BACK THE NEXT DAY AND RETRIEVE MY CAR. THIS WAS AT A COST OF $750.00. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE HAD WE CONTINUED OUR DRIVE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED. I HAVE REVIEWED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE OF BRAKES FAILING ON THIS VEHICLE, YET A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THE BRAKE LINES. THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATION OR WARNING LIGHT THAT WENT ON IN THE CAR, ONLY THE PRESENCE OF MIND THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I HAVE THE INVOICE FROM THE REPAIR THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT BOTH BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. I HAVE ASKED THE MECHANIC IF HE COULD SALVAGE THE PARTS FOR ME TO KEEP IN CASE WE NEED THEM. I HAVE NOTIFIED HYUNDAI AS WELL VIA E-MAIL.

NHTSA ID

10969196

Incident

Mar 27, 2017

Mileage

117,000 mi

BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE IN PARKING LOT IN TYSONS CORNER, VIRGINIA. HAD TO PUMP BRAKES TO STOP HITTING THE EXIT GATE. BRAKE LINE RUSTED, BROKE, AND ALL BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. CAR HAD 102127 MILES. NEVER HAD A CAR WITH A BRAKE LINE THAT RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANICS FIXED BY REPLACING SECTION OF STEEL BRAKE LINE UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF BODY SUBFRAME THAT HAD RUSTED AND SPLIT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10938676

Incident

Jan 16, 2016

Mileage

102,127 mi

THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF! A LIGHT SAYS ESC OFF, WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF , LATER THE LIGHT IS OUT BUT I STILL DO NOT HAVE FUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHTS THEY JUST STAY ON WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

10937210

Incident

Dec 22, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF AND USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE TRUNK FLEW UP SO QUICKLY THAT THE HYDRAULIC HINGE SUPPORT, THAT PROPS IT OPEN, BROKE OFF AT THE TOP. THE ABS & ESC LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. SOMETIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING THOSE 2 WARNING LIGHTS WILL FLASH OFF, THEN BACK ON A FEW SECONDS LATER. WHEN THAT HAPPENS MY BRAKES DON'T WORK CORRECTLY, AND MAKE A RUBBING SOUND THAT I CAN FEEL THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE AUTOMOTIVE INSTRUCTOR AT THE COLLEGE I WORK AT LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND IT'S THE CALIPERS STICKING. THE DASHBOARD SRS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE PASSENGER SAFETY BELT LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE TPMS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR IS THE MOST RECENT WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. SEEMS LIKE HYUNDAI PRODUCED NOTHING BUT LEMONS FOR QUITE A STRETCH AND NOT MUCH IS BEING DONE TO HELP THE CONSUMER'

NHTSA ID

10854912

Incident

Dec 5, 2015

Mileage

145,000 mi

I BOUGHT A USED 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH APPROX 50,000 MILES ON IT IN 2012. SINCE PURCHASING IS ALL IT HAS BEEN WAS ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED THIS WEEK (WHICH IS ANOTHER STORY) AND SINCE MY INSPECTION WAS DUE I ASKED THEM TO INSPECT THE CAR ALSO AT A CERTIFIED DEALER. AND AGAIN MY CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE AS LAST YEAR. CALIPER SEIZED AND NEEDS NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS AGAIN. I HAD A MECHANIC DO THE WORK LAST TIME SINCE IT WAS APPROX $200 CHEAPER THAN THE DEALER AND I GUESS PLAN ON IT AGAIN AT $500.00. IM THINKING IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA TO GET RID OF THIS AWFUL CAR PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING AGAIN OR ANYTHING ELSE. WOULDN'T RECOMMEND A HYUNDAI TO MY WORST ENEMY. I AM A GRANDPARENT AND WOULD HATE FOR THE CALIPERS TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING WITH MY GRANDSON, THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IS A CONCERN

NHTSA ID

10846078

Incident

Feb 22, 2016

Mileage

94,000 mi

I'VE HAD THE BREAKS GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BREAKS WHEN DRIVING AND USE BRAKING. IT SEEMS THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS COMING LOOSE AND NEED TO GET IT FIXED WITH A WORKSHOP NEARBY

NHTSA ID

10822639

Incident

Jan 6, 2015

Mileage

66,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING 1/2 MILE OR SO THE ESC LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE IT WOULD ALWAYS RESET AND GO OFF BUT IT WOULD COME BACK ON AFTER A MILE OR SO OF DRIVING. SOMETIMES IT STAYS OFF FOR A PROL;ONGED PERIOD OF A MONTH OR SO THEN THE CONDITION STARTS UP ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR 6 YEARS. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED/REPLACED AS REQUIRED. SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SENSOR? THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10724263

Incident

Nov 1, 2010

Mileage

55,000 mi

PEDAL TO THE METAL RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE CLOSE TO $1,000 TO REPAIR

NHTSA ID

10619631

Incident

Aug 6, 2014

Mileage

31,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I25 IN COLORADO NEAR DENVER. THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I SAW A BUS A COUPLE OF HUNDRED YARDS AWAY. THE BUS WAS EITHER STOPPED OR GOING VERY SLOWLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND MY 2008 SONATA WOULD NOT GO OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL. I TRIED CANCELING CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKING AND CAR REMAINED IN CRUISE CONTROL. AT THE LAST MOMENT, I TRIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS I CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE BUS GOING ABOUT 55 MPH. I NEARLY DIED. I COULDN'T BREATHE FOR 20 SECONDS. I HAVE FRACTURED RIBS AND FRACTURED BONES IN MY BACK. THE CAR IS TOTALED. IT LOOKS LIKE A SQUASHED ACCORDION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10610963

Incident

Jul 2, 2014

Mileage

60,000 mi

REAR DRIVER SIZE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACE WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 14K MILES. REAR PADS AND ROTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 5-6 MONTHS. THE BRAKES WERE BURNING AND SMOKING. DEALER SAYS ITS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED EVERY 5-6 MONTHS, THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND IF NOT REPAIRED IT COULD CAUSE THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10559566

Incident

Jan 10, 2011

Mileage

14,000 mi

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR PARK AND FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH . *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER SON DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SCHOOL, AND WHEN HE TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. HER SON HAD TO GET ASSISTANCE, TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, SO HE COULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE. HER SON WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY, AND WHILE DRIVING, IT BECAME APPARENT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT RESPONDING NORMALLY BY DISENGAGING WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES. HE IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO AN AUTO CENTER. THE AUTO CENTER DETERMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED IT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BOWER/FAN SWITCH, WHICH WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER, THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE FAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2011. ON OR ABOUT JULY 2012, SHE AGAIN BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE BLOWER/FAN OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER OFFERED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY ONE WEEK. UPDATED 11/25/13

NHTSA ID

10550200

Incident

Aug 14, 2013

GRINDING NOISE ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKES--DISCOVERED MISSING BOLT ON CALIPER FRAME, BRAKE PADS BADLY WORN. ALL OTHER BRAKE PADS IN GREAT SHAPE, SHOWING LITTLE WEAR. CAR IS DRIVEN IN RURAL AREA, WITH VERY LITTLE CITY DRIVING. WHEN I WENT TO HYUNDAI TO BUY A NEW BOLT THE PARTS GUY SAID "THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME" I THINK THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG HERE. ALSO CHECKED ON LINE FINDING I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS ON THE REAR WHEELS. *JS

NHTSA ID

10538401

Incident

Jan 9, 2013

Mileage

43,000 mi

THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10511367

Incident

May 10, 2013

Mileage

89,993 mi

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EMAIL THAT I SENT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT I RECENTLY WENT TO FOR RECURRING BRAKE/CALIPER ISSUES ON THIS VEHICLE. AS YOU KNOW I WAS IN YESTERDAY (BUERKLE HYUNDAI WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN @ 8:48 AM INVOICE 183543) WITH MY 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH LEFT REAR BRAKE ISSUES. IT SEEMED LIKE THE LEFT REAR CALIPER MAY BE STICKING. AS I EXPLAINED WHEN THE CAR WAS DROPPED OFF YESTERDAY (2/5/13), WE HAD JUST REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND THE CAR ONLY HAD 29,975 MILES WHEN THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON 12/22/2012. I BROUGHT IN THE PREVIOUS BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR FOR YOUR INSPECTION FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE THAT IS CURRENTLY HAVING ISSUES. IT CLEARLY SHOWED THE BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND THE ROTOR WAS SCRAPED AND RUINED. THIS WAS SHOWN TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR HELPING ME, BRIAN COYLE. I HAVE ATTACHED, JUST A FEW OUT OF SEVERAL, WEBSITES FOR YOUR REVIEW TO SHOW THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS RECEIVED MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2008/HYUNDAI/SONATA/SERVICE_BRAKES_HYDRAULIC/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.SONATABRAKEDEFECT.COM/INDEX.PHP/SONATADEFECT/SONATACOMMENTS.HTML HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/SONATA/BRAKE-DISC-CALIPER-PROBLEMS.PHP HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/HYUNDAI/SONATA/HYDRAULIC+BRAKE AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS ISSUE, DEFINITELY, NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI AS WELL THE HYUNDAI CERTIFIED SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOCATIONS. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR AND PAYMENT OF A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ONE TIME, LET ALONE OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE. NOT TO MENTION, BRAKE ISSUES LIKE THESE AND TO THIS EXTENT OF NEEDED REPAIR AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I REALLY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR A REPAIR OR FOR LUBRICATION TO BRAKES, ETC, WHEN THE SAME THING WAS DONE TO THESE BRAKES A FEW WEEKS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10496691

Incident

Dec 22, 2012

Mileage

29,975 mi

MY REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WERE FROZEN/ CORRODED INTO THE PADS. THE REAR BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. THIS COULD HAVE EFFECTED THE ABILITY OF THE CAR TO STOP EFFECTIVELY. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE UNLESS THE CALIPER WAS LEAKING. IT WAS CORRODED AT ONLY 39,000 MILES AND 3YRS AFTER BOUGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10474155

Incident

Sep 6, 2012

Mileage

39,000 mi

LAST WEEK WE NOTICED THAT THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT WAS ON. TONIGHT ON 5/24/2012 WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I HAD TO JUST BARELY PLUG IN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WIRE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO WORK AGAIN. THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH EARLIER SONATAS THE RECALL WAS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09003. MY 2008 EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE ESC LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10459603

Incident

May 14, 2012

Mileage

105,922 mi

THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS POORLY ENGINEERED AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO THE CAR OWNER. AFTER 16,000 MILES, MY REAR BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BACK BRAKES ARE STICKING ON AND GRINDING OFF AGAINST THE ROTOR. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED, WITH MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS THE ONLY CHOICE. IN THE FOUR YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE GONE THRU 5 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND 4 ROTORS, WITH NO END IN SIGHT AS LONG AS I KEEP THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10449634

Incident

Oct 8, 2009

Mileage

16,000 mi

REAR BRAKES ON MY SONATA STARTED GRINDING AT 25000 MILES. CONTACTED HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS BY EMAIL AND THEY STATED THE BRAKES WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED BY THEM TO TAKE IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER. SINCE THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT THIS MILEAGE I HAD TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO IS STATE CERTIFIED. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE KEPT THE EMAIL RESPONSE THAT HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS SENT TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10443979

Incident

Nov 15, 2010

Mileage

25,000 mi

PURCHASED DEMONSTRATOR CAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 2,500 MILES FOR NORMAL USE. REAR DISK BRAKE NOISE AT 15,976 MILES REQUIRED BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN AT 33,356 MILES, AGAIN REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF PADS AND TURNING OF ROTORS (THIS TIME IT WAS NOT COVERED - CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR ITEMS). ONCE AGAIN, AT APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES, LOUD GRINDING FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKE REVEALED THAT BOTH INNER AND OUTER PADS HAD BEEN TOTALLY SCRUBBED OFF WITH LIGHT METAL TO METAL CONTACT, WHILE THE RIGHT REAR PADS STILL HAD GREATER THAN 50% OF ORIGINAL PAD THICKNESS. THE CALIPER SLIDES OPERATED SMOOTHLY AND WERE WELL LUBRICATED AND SEALED, AND THE PAD SLIDES WERE DIRTY WITH BRAKE DUST, BUT NOT CORRODED OR BLOCKED WITH DIRT. THE PADS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT. I REPLACED THE PADS TO FINISH MY TRIP AND UPON RETURN IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE NEW PADS HAD BEEN DRAGGING AS EVIDENCED BY A STRONG SMELL AND GLAZED APPEARANCE. IT DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL FOR THIS CONDITION TO HAPPEN - THERE WAS NO GRINDING OR ABNORMAL NOISE OBSERVED DURING THE MOST RECENT EVENT, UNTIL PULLING INTO OUR DESTINATION, WHEN IT WAS VERY LOUD. APPEARS THAT THE CALIPER OR CALIPER PISTON IS STICKING TO KEEP THE PADS IN CONTACT WITH THE DISK, THUS OVERHEATING AND CHALLENGING THE BRAKE PAD LIFE. THIS SEEMS TO BE ONLY ON THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) CALIPER. HYUNDAI DISCUSSION FORUMS HAVE INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI IS NOT FORMALLY ADDRESSING. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK, BUT WANTED TO REGISTER WITH NHTSA SINCE IT IS A BRAKE ISSUE WITH SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10442038

Incident

Apr 6, 2009

Mileage

15,968 mi