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

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 ConsumerAffairs@hmausa.com 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. *TR

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

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

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

REAR BRAKES WORE OUT. FRONT BRAKES 'LIKE NEW'. SHOULDN'T FRONT BRAKES WEAR OUT FIRST AS THAT IS WHERE THE ENGINE WEIGHT IS? *TR

WHEN I BOUGHT A NEW 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA, I SOON EXPERIENCED A SQUEALING SOUND FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE BRAKES. THEY SAID IT WAS THE SHIMS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO SEIZE AND KEEP FROM SLIDING PROPERLY. WITHIN 30,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE WORN OUT. I NOW HAVE 54,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS ARE WORN OUT. I DISCOVERED FROM MY MECHANIC THAT THIS MODEL IS KNOWN FOR A PREMATURE WEAR PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE PADS SEIZED IN PLACE UNABLE TO BACK OFF THE ROTOR. I'M PROMPTED TO NOTIFY YOU DUE TO THE MANY POSTINGS OF THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS A WEATHER CONCERN WITH CORROSION OR A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CALIPER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,000. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL WERE USED IN THE INITIAL PRODUCTION OR DESIGN OF THE BRAKES. UPDATED 06/22/12

I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES DUE TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MYCARSTATS.COM. OFTEN WHEN I GET THE CAR SERVICED BY THE DEALER I HAVE MENTIONED THAT THEY SHOULD CHECK THE REAR BRAKES. THIS TIME WAS THE 45000 MILE SERVICE AND I BROUGHT A PRINTOUT OF THE 26 EXISTING COMPLAINTS. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT THEY ALWAYS CHECK AND CLEAN REAR BRAKES, CALIPERS, ROTORS, ETC TO PREVENT AN EARLY FAILURE. SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE CAR, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLS ME TO SAY THAT INDEED THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED REPLACING. I TOLD HIM I THOUGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THESE SONATAS. HE SAID BRAKES ONLY HAD A 1 YEAR WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THERE WAS NO SOUND OR WARNING IN ADVANCE. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MYCARSTATS.COM WEBSITE, I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN TO KEEP ASKING. THE FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPLACED. DRIVING IS MOSTLY HIGHWAY. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS YET? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES IT PRODUCED A GRINDING NOISE. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR ANNUAL STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION AND TO HAVE "CHIRPING" NOISE FROM BRAKES CHECKED. REAR BRAKE PADS WERE AT 3/32"; MIN ALLOWED IS 2/32". FRONT PADS OK AT +7/32". REPLACED REAR PADS, MACHINED ROTORS. MILEAGE WAS 23,226; CAR PURCHASED FEB2008 AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED AT DEALER. DEALER SA ADVISED THAT PAD WEAR WAS NORMAL AND THAT 'ON THIS MODEL THE REAR BRAKES ALWAYS WEAR FASTER'. WHEN THIS WAS DISPUTED THE SA SAID THAT CORROSION ON CALIPER DID NOT ALLOW PADS TO WITHDRAW AND THAT CONSTANT CONTACT WORE OUT THE PADS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE SA SAID THAT BRAKES ARE ONLY COVERED FOR 12 MONTHS. SUBSEQUENTLY NOTED THAT ON SIDE OF CAR WITH STICKING CALIPER THAT THE PAINT ON BOTH STEEL WHEELS HAS PEELED AND WHEELS HAVE RUSTED. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED, FRONT-TO-BACK, SEVERAL TIMES SINCE NEW. POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM DRAGGING PADS OVERHEATED WHEELS AND DAMAGED PAINT. ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE HEAT TO WHEEL BEARINGS. WILL HAVE THIS CHECKED AT NEXT SERVICE, OR SOONER. THIS PREMATURE REAR PAD WEAR IS NOT NORMAL FOR HYUNDAI. ALSO, PRESENTLY DRIVING A 2001 ELANTRA THAT WENT 60K+ BEFORE NEEDING BRAKES. NEVER OWNED ANY CAR THAT HAD REAR BRAKES WEAR BEFORE FRONT. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGISTERED INDICATES THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MATERIAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS CORRECTING BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKES WERE GRINDING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORN AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKES AND PADS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,279 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 04/05/11

NO FAILURE OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BEFORE FAILURE. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AT JUST UNDER 45,600 MILES EXPECTING TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACE. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE MADE OF DEFECTIVE METAL WHICH CORRODED AND PITTED BADLY. IT DESTROYED THE OUTER PART OF THE BRAKE PADS SO THEY DID NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR. LESS THAN ONE HALF OF THE BRAKE PAD WAS PROVIDING BRAKING ABILITY. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE REAR WHEELS AS WELL AS ALL BRAKE PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THE BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT IS EXPECTED MAINTENANCE. THE REAR WHEEL ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR