There are 50 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Sonatain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I was driving in the evening on 2/7/26. The red brake light came on in the dash and seconds later the car went into limp mode. An alarm went off indicating that the hybrid system was not functioning. The braking performance decreased significantly. The car slowed down immediately and could not exceed 15 mph. My safety was extremely compromised. Luckily i was not on a high speed road or interstate and was able to pull off onto a side road. If i had been on a busier road, I believe that i would have been in an accident. This could have seriously injured myself or others. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The braking pump was replaced and that rectified the problem so far. The old part has been disposed of. The problem was reproduced by the repair facility.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and hesitated. The brake and the hybrid system warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the right side of the road and waited for her husband to arrive. The contact turned off the vehicle and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the hybrid ECU needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer checked the error on the brake failure light that was illuminated, but had not yet gotten a response back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone where it was diagnosed, and determined that the hybrid ECU needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions for the past three years. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and informed the contact that they have not heard from the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
Sudden brake failure while driving at speeds around 40 mph, where both the accelerator and brakes became unresponsive, forcing me to coast before regaining limited braking ability after repeated pumping or having to "restart" the car completely. During these events, loud grinding or dragging noises and vibrations were present. Despite adequate brake fluid levels and pad condition, the brake pedal went to the floor. Could be a potential hydraulic or booster failure. It is available for inspection upon request. I was in the car with a significant other at the time of the incident, this happened around 9 times on a very busy highway during a rush. I have been able to reproduce the problem on my own but has now been inspected by a dealer or independent service center. Online resources indicate others with the same symptoms under same conditions have. The component has not been manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. But I have very recently (around 4 months ago) passed a vehicle inspection. There were no warnings or other symptoms prior to failure, it's very sudden and having no idea when and where it would happen makes the car inoperable.
Braking system failed on my Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2013. I was driving on the highway and suddenly the vehicle started a constant beeping noise and the dashboard illuminated with a message that read "Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive" as I driving 70 MPH on the highway, causing me to have to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid being rear-ended by vehicles traveling behind, this is a very dangerous issue, and Hyundai is placing safety of others on the lower rung of their priority list. I had the vehicle taken to the shop where I was initially told that the issue is contaminated braking fluid, the need to replace brakes and the brake master cylinder. Shortly after being notified of the issues that technician diagnosed I agreed to have these items replaced. However, when I went to pickup my car after being notified that services were "completed" the vehicle continued to have the same issues, the vehicle never made it off of the Hyundai car lot. The vehicle has been with Hyundai for over 2 months and suddenly I am being told that there is an ABS issue and that it will cost over 5,000 dollars to complete repairs. I scoured the internet and noticed that there are many other complaints similar to mine.
I was pulled over by law enforcement due to both brake lights being out. Further investigation while changing the bulbs for the 3rd time in 1 year found the housing was deformed and plastic around the bulb housing was melted. The left light bulb was completely black and was difficult to replace the plug back into the plastic housing. The right light bulb metal piece melted into the socket and the glass part of the bulb fell off the metal piece and would not come out of the brake light assembly as if it was now to big to fit throught the hole. This bulb broke off the metal piece and fell into the brake light assembly. After using pliers to remover the broken metal piece from the bulb socket. The new bulb was placed and still could not fit in the hole it is designed to fit. Further inspection reveals the plastic housing the bulb should fit has melted and can no longer accept the new bulb or removal of the previous bulb. This is a safety hazard as the bulb and wiring gets too hot and could heat up the plastic to the point of burning the inside of the trunk. As well as continuing replacement for the bulb of which now cannot be replaced. Potenial safety risk for an accident if the brake lights cannot be replaced due to warping or melted housing. There was no warning or safety notice provided. Until I researched and found the problem has been reported by many owners of this make and model and there is even a recall that went out in January 2024 for the exact issue. I reported this to the dealer who informed me my vehicle is not apart of the recall even though my vehicle meets all requirements of the recall and extended warranty for the recall. Year, make, model, within mileage requirements and the safety issue being present. They want to charge me just to confirm the issue and possible charge for the repair.
after 5 months Hyundai does not have a remedy for NHTSA Recall Number 23V651000 which is an acknowledged fire hazard. What is NHTSA doing ro encourage Hyundai to move more quickly?
Hyundai is taking too long to fix the Campaign 251 recall for the fire hazard associated with the ABS system. What can you do to speed up the solution and repairs?
On [XXX], my brakes failed on my 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid on a busy interstate in Atlanta, GA. I had it towed to Ed Voyles Hyundai in Smyrna, GA and after "looking at it" they were not able to diagnose the issue. I informed them my brakes went out, they ran a diagnostic test and found where the message came across the dash, but stated it was fine and to bring it back if it happened again. On [XXX], it happened again. My brakes failed and the same alert was sounding off in my vehicle. I took it to Ed Voyles again and they were finally able to determine it was the ABS module on my vehicle. This was due to an electrical short in the brake system. I found out it is the same part as the recall. I emailed the service manager and he agreed. However, Hyundai Motor America will not allow them to remedy the issue because they haven't "come up with a remedy". The recall is listed as severe! Not only will it catch on fire, but the brakes also fail! There is a burning smell that comes from under my car and I am not sure how there is no remedy for a recall that could cost HMA way more than to replace some ABS modules. I don't feel safe driving my vehicle and I am not sure how to get more attention to this matter. It is immensely unsafe to allow millions of people to drive in a potential failing brake fire hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The left front brake caliper fell off and rubbed on the wheel’s rim. When I drove in reverse and hit the brakes the wheel would lock up and I couldn’t move. The dealer replaced the caliper. I had the brakes inspected by the local tire and brake specialists, Les Schwab. They wrote the inspection as the brakes locking bolt(the bolt that holds the caliper in place) was missing and the caliper was rubbing against the wheel. There wasn’t a warning. But, I did hear a loud clunk right before the brakes failed then the brakes made a rumbling sound as if I had a rock stuck in the brake pad. I asked the dealer to save the broken unit so I could document it but the service department manager for Korum Hyundai of Puyallup tried to pass off a different unit. I took pictures of both my unit (on the car) and the unit the manager was trying to pass off.
See attached document for complaint
The fix for campaign 251 recall is taking too long.
Tail light on but brake lights not illuminating due to bulb melting on the bulb socket. Happened to a lot of vehicle owners online and now happening to me. But no recalls are posted. Was pulled over by police. I checked once I got home and saw that socket is burnt and melted.
When driving with foot on gas car starts to decrease in speed and pedal goes to floor but I lift foot off gas then put back on gas speed increases back to normal
I was driving and the brake light came on and I lost the brackes
Around mid-April of 2023, I was driving and i attempted to LIGHTLY apply my brakes and an alarm starts going off. Then the brakes VIOLENTLY start grinding. I went from 50mph to an immediate 10mph. The dealership said they replaced the fuse that SHOULD solve the problem. It did not. My car has been sitting at the dealership for a whole year now. They have not been able to update me on when it will be fixed. They have made ZERO attempts to provide me with a reasonable accommodation for my ONLY form of transportation being their lawn ornament for a year. I lost my job. I lost my place to live. And they are doing nothing. Now they say they're going to be replacing fuses to fix the issue but they already tried that and it did nothing. Every time I call to ask about an update, they put me on hold for over 10 minutes and then say there's nothing they can do at this time. The only thing they have tried to do is attempt to get me to buy a whole new car, which is out of the question because mine is completely paid off. This has seriously affected mine and my child's life. I don't even have a vehicle to go grocery shopping or make it to dr appointments or shoot functions because I have no way to get there.
Hi last week I start my hybrid sonata 2013 when the engine get hot I start running car withing 5 minutes I was driving 35mph and suddenly my break fail and car start flush warning check brake this is the 4time is very unsafe car sonata hybrid
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was mushy while depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
While driving my 2013 Hyundai Sonata, I smelled fuel fumes coming through my a/c vents for several minutes. I shut the a/c off and rolled the windows down. White smoke began billowing out of my exhaust tail pipe then from under the hood. Being in the far left lane of a five lane freeway, other motorists and I were placed in danger as I had to travel across all lanes of traffic as my vehicle billowed thick white smoke into the air limiting the clear view of other motorists and increasing the chance of causing collisions. I pulled over to the shoulder of the freeway and then lost all power steering and brakes on my vehicle. I applied the emergency brake and brought my vehicle to a stop then turned it off. I looked at the temperature gauge and it read normal range but the check engine light came on along with several other dash lights. Once I turned the vehicle off, flames and billowing smoke began coming from under my hood. Four to five minutes later the fire extended to the cabin then the vehicle was fully engulfed. The fire department arrived and extinguished the vehicle fire. Prior to this drive, I have not smelled any fuel leaks or fuel odor inside or outside of the vehicle. It appears a fuel delivery component was the cause of the issue.
ON AUGUST THE 15TH MY CAR WAS GOING DOWN SHARPE RD IN BURLINGTON NC AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH GOING TOWARDS ROSS ST. I TRIED TO STOP ON MY BRAKES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP.. AS I TRIED STOP IT I FELT MY BRAKE PEDDLE GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL MY CAR OFF THE ROAD AND SIT UNTIL I HAD A TOW TRUCK COME TOW IT HOME. I HAVE MY CAR AT CHRENSHAW HYUNDIA. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TRYING TO GET MY CAR SERVISED THROUGH THEM AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BOOKED U. THAT CAUSES A LOT OF CAR issues when you have to wait on an appointment. I really need my car fixed and I do not have the kind if funds that they are asking.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle was originally taken in for repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and exiting the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact then pushed the vehicle to a nearby parking lot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the nearby dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then towed to another dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V312000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,672.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026