Hyundai Elantra brake failure problems

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Brakes · CT

Hyundai 2013 Elantra GT VIN# KMHD35LE0DU124468 The brake lines rusting under the vehicle going to the rear wheels ruptured and had a complete loss of brake fluid. We were on the highway the day before it happened and the next day I got in the car to go shopping I only went about 500 feet and notice the bake peddle was going down a lot more, I turn the car around and went back home slowly. Now we are looking for a repair shop to fix the leaking brake lines, maybe all of them. we were lucky that we didn't have a complete failure on the highway. There should have been better notifications about this issue with these cars. Hope that Hyundai will have a recall for this problem before people are injured or killed.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Brakes · CA

My 2017 Hyundai Elantra SE 2.0L (outside Recall 157/17V063 VIN range) has suffered 7 intermittent brake failures since 06/03/2026 (~118,563 mi), involving total loss of braking power, a rock-hard pedal, and/or resistance during pedal depression. The vehicle is at Temecula Hyundai and available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Across 7 incidents (06/03, 06/17, 06/23, 08/29, 09/19, 10/09, 10/11), the brake pedal either met strong resistance halfway down with rapid metallic ticking from the front-left/under-hood area and reduced stopping power, or became completely rock-hard with total loss of braking power for 5-10 seconds (frequently while braking downhill). On 09/19, 1-2 seconds of pedal resistance/ticking transitioned directly into a rock-hard pedal and total brake loss. On 06/03, I had to jump a curb to avoid traffic. On 06/23, 09/19, and 10/11, I had to use the emergency brake to stop. On 10/11, total brake loss approaching a stoplight forced a hard e-brake pull, locking the rear tires and spinning the car sideways in front of cross-traffic before brakes returned 8-10 seconds later. REPRODUCTION & INSPECTIONS: Inspected by Temecula Hyundai across 5 visits (96+ cumulative days in shop) and an independent shop (both verified brake pads, rotors, and calipers are good). In June 2026, a dealer technician reproduced the stiff brake pedal on a road test and replaced the brake booster under warranty (06/16), without documenting on the work order if vacuum check valve/hose or ABS HECU causes were ruled out as the root cause. Failures recurred within the same week. On 10/13, a dealer advisor confirmed a front-left growling/chirping noise on a road test, yet the dealer only suggested customer-pay brake pads (with "high confidence" it would fix the total/complete brake failures). WARNING LAMPS: Zero warning lights or codes have ever appeared before, during, or after any incident. A near-daily front-left growling and chirping noise is present (not constant during all braking).

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NV · crash

My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete brake assist failure, including the emergency brake. I was unable to stop the vehicle, which directly resulted in a collision. Prior to the crash, the car showed no warning lights. After the accident, I had the vehicle inspected at the Hyundai dealership. The dealership stated they could not reproduce the failure and “found no issues,” which contradicts the symptoms. Since the crash, I discovered two Hyundai Technical Service Bulletins that directly match the failure I experienced: TSB 23-01-036H-1 (Relates to HECU/Electronic Parking Brake failure) TSB addressing DTC C1620 (Relates to FCA Sensor/Automatic Braking malfunction) These TSBs relate to brake assist malfunction, emergency brake concerns, and similar stopping failures. The dealership did not disclose these TSBs, did not apply the corrective procedures, and cleared the car as having “no defects.” The dealership wrote “could not reproduce concern” and “no problems found,” despite the vehicle having just been in a brake-failure crash. This brake failure created a major safety risk with potential for severe injury or fatality. I am reporting this because the defect appears unresolved, the dealership denied it, and the TSBs show Hyundai is aware of brake-related issues. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this brake-system failure as part of a potential manufacturer safety defect. The vehicle is currently secured at the dealership (Lithia Hyundai, Las Vegas) and is available for inspection upon request by the federal safety agency investigators.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Brakes · IL

Under carriage steel brake line rust through at support bracket and causing a loss of brake fluid and risk of stopping condition that raise a concern of an accident and protentional risk of injury to the owner/operator and other drivers on the road. This rust condition and due to road salt condition in state that use road salt and Hyundai clearly lacks undercoating protection. This issue has been seen by other 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT owner and been clearly documented in Hyundai discussion forums. The brake light did come on and I drive it to the first repair shop to fix the issue by replacing the rusted brake line. The repair shop noted the lack of manufactures undercoating of this product cause numerous rusting concern on the under carriage of this vehicle include steel brake line, steel Fuel line and steel Evp emission lines along with safety concern associated with each issue

Filed May 30, 2025 · Brakes · ME

Brake failure. Corroded brake lines. There is a recall in Canada for this model year for the same exact issue [XXX] ). Why did the federal safety agency not force a recall for the same issue at least in cold-weather states? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 28, 2025 · Brakes · 77,300 miles · PA · crash

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that her daughter was driving the vehicle when the failure occurred. While driving on a city road at 25 MPH, a tractor-trailer crossed in front of the contact's lane. The contact stated that her daughter immediately reacted by taking a sharp left turn in order to avoid a collision. However, upon attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed to engage, therefore causing the contact to crash into a utility pole. The front passenger side of the contact's vehicle was crashed upon impact with the utility pole, and the vehicle came to a stop upon impact. No property damage was reported. The airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local body shop. The Traction Control Warning light was illuminated. A police report was filed. No injuries were reported. No one outside of the vehicle was injured. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,300.

Filed Jul 21, 2024 · Brakes · IL

I was driving my 2011 Elantra, and when I needed to brake, it didn't feel the same as usual. The brake pedal felt kind of soft. After a while, when I needed to brake at an intersection, the brakes completely failed. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor, and there was no braking. My speed was about 30 mph, and I couldn't stop. I was really lucky that there were no other cars at the intersection, and I just passed the stop sign without stopping. I was so scared. I didn't understand what happened and immediately changed my plans to drive home. Luckily, I was only a few minutes away. I used the hand brake for the rest of the drive. After I parked the car, I saw brake fluid leaking at the bottom, and when I moved the plastic cover, I saw that the brake line was completely rusty.

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · TX

I was driving down the interstate when my car completely locked up, my brakes stopped working, the steering wheel wouldn't turn, the car completely shut down, so I had to make my way off the bisy interstate luckily I didn't have an accident so I took it to a mechanic and found out the alternator went out, so it was replaced then less than a year later i had issues with the headlights not working then magically comong on while driving, and the interior lighta will work then bot work but the bulbs are new, leading to another replacement alternator, then less than about 8 months pass and I have issues with the electrical stuff again not wanting to work even when new bulbs are pit in the car, the radio turning on and off by itself and I've had to put it a third alternator in less than 3 years, it's a driving hazard and safety hazard. My driver side door handle will only open from the inside and it doesn't shut inkess the door is locked and the car has to be turned on. The belt in my 2016 hyundai elanyra looks like it's shredding and it's throwing black stuff on the inside of my hood. I've had preoffwsional mechanics look at it and the alternator is assembled correctly, and now my ball joints are all of a sudden needing to be replaced inthe front.

Filed May 16, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · MA

Since day 1. Brakes have failed. First recall took years. They “updated my software “ brakes still failed. They failed to believe me “Couldn’t find a problem “ there’s no warning lights no nothing. Out of nowhere. The Brake goes to the floor. Makes a grinding sound and your either going towards on coming traffic or a ditch. Brakes failed at numerous intersections. How I’m alive is beyond me. The best part, either the seat belt is too baggy or strangles you there’s no in between. My entire steering system is junk. wasted money on tires alignments brake pads brake censors. Dealership has another recall on these brakes with no remedy. I’ve sadly driven this car over 10 years with failing brakes. I drive with my right hand on the e brake ready to yank it at any given times. I’m honestly traumatized by this car. Engine and transmission are junk. Nightmare

Filed May 6, 2024 · Brakes · SC

On January 8, 2024, we experienced total brake failure with the brake pedal going all the way to the floor. The lack of braking occurred suddenly with no prior issues or warning. The car was transported to a Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. The dealer service department reported they could not find any issues with the braking system. The brakes apparently worked once the vehicle arrived at the dealership. Due this issue suddenly occurring without warning and a braking system recall already in effect for this vehicle, we no longer felt safe driving the vehicle and purchased a new vehicle.