Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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
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] 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. …
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. …
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. …
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. …
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, [redacted]
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
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.
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
Brake complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, 13% of the model year's 425 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Sonata brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Sonata brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.