Hyundai Sonata Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 901 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Hyundai Sonata across 26 model years. The 2012 model year has the most (151). The words owners use most often: “rear brake” (6% of reports).
- 901service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 91mention a crash
- 36mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $1,200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 28%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 brake: mentioned in 50 of 901 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the Hyundai Sonata at $1,200, and half of them between $590 and $3,600.
Based on 30 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2025), 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 problems happen?
Based on 551 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 901 complaints, 91 mention a crash, 38 a fire, 36 an injury.
Hyundai Sonata service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sonata | 6 | 35% | — |
| 2024 Sonata | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2023 Sonata | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Sonata | 5 | 5% | — |
| 2021 Sonata | 3 | 2% | 42,000 |
| 2020 Sonata | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2019 Sonata | 3 | 2% | 78,093 |
| 2018 Sonata | 14 | 4% | 8,896 |
| 2017 Sonata | 20 | 3% | 17,000 |
| 2016 Sonata | 42 | 6% | 12,548 |
| 2015 Sonata | 73 | 6% | 39,000 |
| 2014 Sonata | 57 | 8% | 43,000 |
| 2013 Sonata | 143 | 7% | 56,000 |
| 2012 Sonata | 151 | 10% | 71,000 |
| 2011 Sonata | 145 | 4% | 84,000 |
| 2010 Sonata | 28 | 8% | 64,475 |
| 2009 Sonata | 64 | 14% | 66,500 |
| 2008 Sonata | 21 | 5% | 81,622 |
| 2007 Sonata | 40 | 6% | 82,771 |
| 2006 Sonata | 51 | 5% | 89,400 |
| 2005 Sonata | 6 | 4% | 95,000 |
| 2004 Sonata | 7 | 3% | 98,000 |
| 2003 Sonata | 5 | 3% | 136,000 |
| 2002 Sonata | 5 | 2% | 95,000 |
| 2001 Sonata | 1 | 0% | 140,000 |
| 2000 Sonata | 1 | 0% | 197,700 |
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.
Vehicle experienced intermittent, severe powertrain defect resulting in a critical safety hazard. Between 30K and 36K miles, the vehicle underwent 3 violent highway deceleration episodes. During these events, the engine began shaking, escalating to violent shaking; with deceleration and coming to a…
Fuel system recall (NHTSA 25V796; Hyundai 286/23HYZ2 "Fuel Tank Expansion") on a 2020 Hyundai Sonata, plus the fuel-tank heat shield and rear floor pan area. On 4/21/2026 (110,423 mi.) a Hyundai dealer's recall test FAILED; no warning lamps or symptoms beforehand. The repair order says Hyundai "is…
The structural bracket/part under the driver's seat broke while operating, preventing me from safely reaching and depressing the brake and gas pedals. And also recall that I didnât authorize with dealership caused my car to have issue with speed control
While driving at highway speeds, the emergency brake system will apply and alert me. Itâs happened twice now in the last 3 weeks. Iâve experienced a random loss of power while driving on the highway with no check engine light on the dashboard. Lastly, at lower speeds the car will randomly jerk…
In 2023, my Hyundai Sonota 2013 hybrid stopped on the freeway putting myself and others at risk. It told me to stop and pull over to a safe spot but everything locked up and I couldn't move it. I had to get a fuse replaced and it cost over $2k. 3 years later, my cars EBrake light has remained on…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Sonatas have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 901 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes. 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 problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,200 (half paid between $590 and $3,600), from 30 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
The most frequent phrase is “rear brake”, in 50 of 901 complaints.
Other Hyundai Sonata problems
- Engine problems (4,702)
- Steering problems (2,363)
- Air Bags problems (2,045)
- Electrical System problems (1,975)
- Structure problems (1,066)
- Power Train problems (1,050)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,013)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (768)
See all Hyundai Sonata problems.