Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 35% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 6% | 140,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% | 11,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% | 153,000 miles |
| 2018 | 17 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 22 | 3% | 21,000 miles |
| 2016 | 47 | 6% | 32,000 miles |
| 2015 | 79 | 7% | 45,000 miles |
| 2014 | 60 | 8% | 46,000 miles |
| 2013 | 149 | 8% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 158 | 10% | 71,000 miles |
| 2011 | 175 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 2010 | 30 | 9% | 65,000 miles |
| 2009 | 98 | 21% | 50,000 miles |
| 2008 | 55 | 13% | 31,000 miles |
| 2007 | 103 | 15% | 35,000 miles |
| 2006 | 85 | 8% | 72,000 miles |
| 2005 | 12 | 7% | 40,000 miles |
| 2004 | 16 | 8% | 95,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% | 38,000 miles |
| 2002 | 26 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 2001 | 24 | 12% | 42,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% | 53,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 6% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1996 | 3 | 13% | — |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I recently purchased a 2025 Hyundai Sonata. I'm writing to raise a concern regarding the height of the brake pedal in this vehicle. Both my wife and I have observed that the brake pedal seems noticeably higher than the gas pedal. This positioning requires extra effort to lift the foot during normal driving, and we are concerned that it may delay reaction time when moving from the accelerator to the brake - especially in emergency situations. I contacted the service department at the dealership to inquire if this pedal height is standard and whether any adjustment is possible. However, I have not received a response. I would appreciate it if you could confirm: Is the brake pedal height in the 2025 Hyundai Sonata within your design standards? If any manufacturer-recommended adjustments or modifications could improve pedal accessibility and response time. …
the car has two issues. brake issue (gas pedal is soft and sinks) and engine power ( gas pedal is soft and not responsive) Brakes are soft and spongy some times and sometimes hard. even you push the brake pedal twice or three time it takes long distance to stop. some times the brake looks good but for short period of time. the brakes inconsistent. I took to the dealer where I bought it hey refuse to repair it. then i took it to another dealer. first time they said no issue with car then second time they they replace the vacuum pump and they found out one of the piston is not firing. they replace the ignition coil. the car still has issue and not fixed. I filed case with the manufacturer but the manufacturer closed the case. After that I file lemon law case.
Since I have had the car, I would have to check my invoices for exact mileages, I have changed my brakes 4 times now. I only have 40k miles on the vehicle. This is very bizarre to me since I have owned a 2020 Hyundai sonata SEL convenience prior to this and never once changed the brakes. I have also changed my rotors once, resurfaced them another then, and I am in the process of changing them again. Now to this day, my calibers are shot. They will take 2 months on back order to come in from Korea. Maybe Hyundai needs to look into N lines in specific as I have read many people complaining about the same thing. It's 40k miles and I am just now needing to change my rear brakes, seems pretty reasonable. Something is very wrong with this car.
The brake rotors are faulty and become warped at 9k mile I now have 27k and are extremely warped causing braking issues at higher speeds. I have been waiting over two months for new rotors from the dealer with no word as to when they will arrive. If the vehicle is left un-driven for a couple days the rotors will become rusted. Even the brand new vehicles in the Hyundia showroom are covered in rust. The suspension of the rear shock are extremely weak and bottoms out on the smallest rut. Cornering I'm the vehicle is subject to enormous amounts of whee hop which could result in an accident.
I was driving down the street and I hit a car because I felt that I lost the control of the car momentarily and it happened as it is described on this recall - 22V746000: The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power. As a result the car crashed into another vehicle. Have the car since 24th of March. Have been feeling at times that I fight to be the driver with the car. Spoke to friends about the issue and they were concerned about that too.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, while driving 70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the contact would receive a callback. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after driving out of the garage and parking in the driveway with the engine idling and remote smart parking assist feature activated, 6 minutes later the vehicle suddenly began to slowly roll forward into the garage area making contact with a second vehicle that was parked in the garage before crashing into the back of the garage wall and stopping. During the incident, no injuries were reported, and no police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable the duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,400.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the brakes independently activated. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
Related recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water 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.
Parking brake › Indicator light
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sonata vehicles manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 1, 2010. The affected vehicles may experience a brake fluid leak from the two brake lines that connect the brake system's master cylinder to the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) due…
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake hoses with a revised service part, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, through June 16, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, one or both of the front brake calipers may fracture.
Remedy: Hyundai contacted the affected owners on June 19, 2014 and instructed them not to drive their vehicles. Hyundai dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2014.
NHTSA investigations
Electronic Parking Brake
The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on September 3, 2016 based on four reports alleging the rear brakes locked or applied while driving without brake pedal application. One of the reports alleged a fire in the right rear wheel area.The vehicles subject to the investigation are equipped with an optional Electronic Parking Brake (EPB).
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Sonata years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (175), 2012 (158), 2013 (149), 2007 (103) and 2009 (98) model years. Brake complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Sonata brake problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 18V-026 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Jan 9, 2018); 17V-359 (indicator light, Jun 5, 2017); 14V-433 (service brakes, hydraulic, Jul 18, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Sonata brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › rotor (25 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (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.