Hyundai Sonata Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 312 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Hyundai Sonata across 25 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (62). The words owners use most often: “rear brakes” (19% of reports).
- 312service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 31mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $620typical repair cost reported by owners
- 22%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear brakes: mentioned in 58 of 312 complaints (19%)
- Brake pads: mentioned in 53 of 312 complaints (17%)
- Grinding noise: mentioned in 23 of 312 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Hyundai Sonata at $620, and half of them between $370 and $770.
Based on 14 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 243 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 312 complaints, 31 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 10 an injury.
Hyundai Sonata service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Sonata | 1 | 1% | 140,000 |
| 2020 Sonata | 1 | 1% | 11,000 |
| 2018 Sonata | 3 | 1% | 30,000 |
| 2017 Sonata | 2 | 0% | 94,750 |
| 2016 Sonata | 3 | 0% | 149,000 |
| 2015 Sonata | 2 | 0% | 48,500 |
| 2014 Sonata | 3 | 0% | 80,000 |
| 2013 Sonata | 7 | 0% | 41,000 |
| 2012 Sonata | 7 | 0% | 26,993 |
| 2011 Sonata | 27 | 1% | 17,200 |
| 2009 Sonata | 34 | 7% | 27,020 |
| 2008 Sonata | 30 | 7% | 25,948 |
| 2007 Sonata | 62 | 9% | 25,580 |
| 2006 Sonata | 33 | 3% | 45,000 |
| 2005 Sonata | 6 | 4% | 30,350 |
| 2004 Sonata | 8 | 4% | 15,692 |
| 2003 Sonata | 11 | 6% | 13,873 |
| 2002 Sonata | 21 | 7% | 16,500 |
| 2001 Sonata | 20 | 10% | 40,903 |
| 2000 Sonata | 10 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 1999 Sonata | 6 | 5% | 52,500 |
| 1998 Sonata | 3 | 6% | — |
| 1997 Sonata | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1996 Sonata | 3 | 13% | — |
| 1995 Sonata | 8 | 12% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Model years: 2006
Problem: 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 .
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: 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 on February 19, 2018. Owners may call Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 172.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Model years: 2011
Problem: 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 to insufficient seal between the inner brake hose and metal brake line fitting.
Risk: If the brake lines leak brake sufficient fluid, the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate and longer stopping distance will be required, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 122.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliperDo not drive
Model years: 2015
Problem: 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.
Risk: If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 120.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power, an alarm sounded for the braking system, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. After originally paying out-of-pocket for an ABS module at the dealer and was…
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check brake and "Hybrid System Warning Safely Stop - Do Not Drive" messages were displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and the contact…
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the failure was due to an unrepaired recall. The contact received…
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact engaged the hybrid function on the vehicle and the vehicle unexpectedly stopped. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle took several minutes…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Sonatas have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 312 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Hyundai Sonata. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Sonata service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners report a typical cost of $620 (half paid between $370 and $770), from 14 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
The most frequent phrase is “rear brakes”, in 58 of 312 complaints, followed by “brake pads” (53).
Other Hyundai Sonata problems
- Engine problems (4,698)
- Steering problems (2,363)
- Air Bags problems (2,044)
- Electrical System problems (1,974)
- Structure problems (1,066)
- Power Train problems (1,050)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,013)
- Service Brakes problems (900)
See all Hyundai Sonata problems.