Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 9% | 4,000 miles |
| 2024 | 4 | 7% | 42,000 miles |
| 2023 | 9 | 9% | 17,000 miles |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% | — |
| 2021 | 8 | 6% | 52,000 miles |
| 2020 | 14 | 5% | 65,000 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2018 | 19 | 6% | 22,000 miles |
| 2017 | 51 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2016 | 16 | 5% | 34,000 miles |
| 2015 | 55 | 21% | 58,000 miles |
| 2014 | 90 | 23% | 67,000 miles |
| 2013 | 290 | 22% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 99 | 15% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 44 | 10% | 69,000 miles |
| 2010 | 39 | 10% | 72,000 miles |
| 2009 | 27 | 11% | 47,000 miles |
| 2008 | 52 | 17% | 68,000 miles |
| 2007 | 38 | 14% | 99,000 miles |
| 2006 | 32 | 21% | 86,000 miles |
| 2005 | 11 | 8% | 50,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% | 31,000 miles |
| 2003 | 27 | 12% | 41,000 miles |
| 2002 | 34 | 10% | 18,000 miles |
| 2001 | 30 | 10% | 42,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 8% | 23,000 miles |
| 1998 | 5 | 9% | — |
| 1997 | 11 | 10% | — |
| 1996 | 6 | 6% | — |
| 1995 | 13 | 12% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, excessive force was needed to bring the vehicle to a stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, and it was confirmed that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
When I am using cruise control, my car will just randomly slam on its breaks. I have taken my car into the dealer multiple times, and they have written it off everytime. They have said it's "direct sunlight" yet I can prove it's not happening in the sunlight. It happened again today when it was cloudy. It's also happened before the sun came up in the morning. I have even filed a case with Hyundai directly, and they said if they can't get it to mimic it, then they can't do anything about it. But it's so random, sometimes it happens 50 miles from home, other times it's 300 miles from home. Always willing to let anyone inspect my vehicle to help solve this issue. I've been taking it to my dealer for a full year until I found out I needed to come put it here. It's random, it won't happen in the same spot twice. But every time it's done it, there is never a vehicle in front of me. …
I have been encountering a series of troubling and erratic issues with my vehicle. These problems occur under various driving conditions, including acceleration, steady-state driving, and braking. However, the most prevalent and problematic occurrences seem to transpire during acceleration and braking. During acceleration, I've observed inconsistent behavior. Sometimes, the car shifts smoothly, with minimal torque drop between gears. On other occasions, the vehicle accelerates initially but then abruptly loses all power between gears, resembling the sensation of someone engaging the clutch in a manual vehicle and shifting slowly. This results in a temporary power loss lasting 1-2 seconds, followed by an over-revving and clutch slip, leading to an unintended surge in acceleration. …
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the rear cross track warning light was illuminated, and applied the brakes independently, causing the vehicle to independently steer to the right. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated he had experienced the failure a total of 5 times. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer and to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete brake assist failure, including the emergency brake. I was unable to stop the vehicle, which directly resulted in a collision. Prior to the crash, the car showed no warning lights. After the accident, I had the vehicle inspected at the Hyundai dealership. The dealership stated they could not reproduce the failure and "found no issues," which contradicts the symptoms. Since the crash, I discovered two Hyundai Technical Service Bulletins that directly match the failure I experienced: TSB 23-01-036H-1 (Relates to HECU/Electronic Parking Brake failure) TSB addressing DTC C1620 (Relates to FCA Sensor/Automatic Braking malfunction) These TSBs relate to brake assist malfunction, emergency brake concerns, and similar stopping failures. …
Braking system failed to brake properly. It feels like even though the brakes were pressed all the way down, the car did not brake as it should. Also, the automatic collision avoidance system did not respond.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 2 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle collided with a median and another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained stomach chest and arm injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, a loud squeaking noise was present coming from the vehicle. Also, while driving up a slight incline or down an incline the vehicle would shake and vibrate while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, no fault was found. The contact was informed that the sound was normal. The manufacturer was not notified. In addition, the contact discovered that the passenger's side floorboard was soaked with water. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that rain had not fallen. The failure mileage was 300.
Related recalls (6)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Hydraulic
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake booster may fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
Remedy: Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake system booster assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
Remedy: Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes, install brake tube clips, and apply anti-corrosion material to the rear brake tubes. Owner notification began January 22, 2004.
Show 1 more recall
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear brake tubes pass behind the front suspension crossmember. Two steering gearbox mounting brackets are welded to the crossmember. On vehicles equipped with an antilock brake system (ABS), the rear brake tubes could contact both steering gearbox mounting brackets.
Remedy: Dealers will reposition the rear brake tubes so they do not contact the mounting brackets, install brake tube clips to control the location of the rear brake tubes, and apply anti-corrosion material to the tubes in the…
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Elantra years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (290), 2012 (99), 2014 (90), 2015 (55) and 2008 (52) model years. Brake complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Elantra brake problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 23V-651 (control unit/module, Sep 22, 2023); 20V-061 (control unit/module, Feb 4, 2020); 17V-769 (pedals and linkages, Nov 30, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Elantra brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (23 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (17).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.