2012 Hyundai Genesis: soft or spongy brake pedal

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Brakes · CA

Brake pedal has been intermittently low/spongy and has progressively gotten worse. During these events, the brake pedal goes nearly to the floorboard, and braking power is weak but will typically function after pumping the pedal repeatedly. Stopping or slowing in an emergency situation may not be possible. There is no manual emergency brake. No trouble codes found, and no warning lamps illuminated related to the braking system. Dealer diagnosed faulty antilock braking system (ABS) hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU). This exact defect is addressed in Warranty Extension TXXP: Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) [XXX] Hyundai rejected this under the warranty coverage because the vehicle build date is approximately 2 weeks beyond the date range in the TSB. Subsequent web searches revealed replacement parts were available for production in late XXX. The TSB's affected date range ends on XXX. This vehicle was produced on XXX and was not included in the recall notifications. It is not known if a complete stock purge was performed on the production line or if parts were continued to be installed until old stock was depleted. Other vehicles outside of the TSB stated production date range may also have this latent critical safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Brakes · FL

I am submitting this letter as a formal safety defect complaint regarding my 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 sedan, which is experiencing braking system behavior that directly mirrors the defect described in Hyundai Recall Campaign 114 (the federal safety agency Campaign 13V489000), despite my vehicle not being included by VIN. Although excluded by VIN, the functional failure mode matches recalled vehicles, indicating the defect population may extend beyond the original VIN range. The vehicle exhibits the following symptoms: 1.Excessive and inconsistent brake pedal travel 2. Soft and spongy brake pedal feel 3. Highly variable brake biting point 4. Requirement to pump the brake pedal to obtain normal braking 5. Unpredictable brake engagement during normal driving These symptoms are intermittent and occur without warning, significantly increasing stopping distance and reducing driver confidence. The behavior is consistent with internal hydraulic or HECU malfunction, which the original recall attributes to corrosion caused by improper brake fluid formulation. I am particularly concerned because I am a disabled driver, and any reduction in braking reliability presents an elevated safety risk. Unpredictable brake response materially affects my ability to operate the vehicle safely and to respond to emergency conditions. While Hyundai has limited the recall to certain VIN ranges, Model Years Affected: 2009–2012 Hyundai Genesis sedans built April 30, 2008 – March 28, 2012. The braking behavior is functionally identical to recalled vehicles. This suggests the defect may not be limited to the originally identified production range and warrants further investigation. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency: 1. Review this complaint in the context of the existing recall 2. Evaluate whether the defect population should be expanded 3. Initiate further inquiry into VIN-excluded vehicles exhibiting identical symptoms 4. This issue represents a clear safety concern with potential for serious injury

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Brakes · TN

Brakes are spongy/soft - My car has been inspected by a Hyundai dealership and an ABS control module replacement has been recommended at cost of $2901. A safety recall campaign was issued in 2012 to include "certain 2009-2012MY Genesis (BH) produced from April 30, 2008 to March 28, 2012 (Recall #114). On May 9, 2022, TSB #22-BR-001H-1 was issued. My car's VIN indicates that my car was produced March 30, 2012 and the repair under the "extended warranty" has been denied because my car was produced two days later and therefore not included in the safety recall. I have reached out to Hyundai and I have a case manager assigned to me.

Filed Sep 1, 2022 · Brakes, Transmission · 25,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V489000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, days later the contact stated that while driving the brake pedal was depressed and felt spongy while the vehicle was coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the brake rotors were replaced on the vehicle. The contact stated that failure reoccurred approximately 25,000 miles later; however, the vehicle was not taken back to dealer for diagnosis to be repaired. The contact stated that at 35,666 miles, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was informed that the front brakes needed to be replaced. Additionally, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission and front brakes were replaced. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle after picking it up from the dealer, he heard a popping sound. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where he was informed to reinstall the old transmission. The transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified and case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Brakes · 79,000 miles · MN

On october 23rd, 2019, the brakes on my 2012 hyundai genesis r-spec sedan suddenly failed with the brake pedal going all the way to the floor before the vehicle eventually stopped luckily avoiding an accident. I was driving on the highway. The vehicle has 79k miles. I then took the car to the hyundai dealer in st. Louis park, mn and they determined that the brake master cylinder was faulty and replaced. The diagnosis and repair did not fix the issue as the brake pedal was still spongy and going to the floor intermittently. I will be taking the car back to the dealer to have them fix it correctly. While researching the issue, I have found that multiple other owners of the same car have experienced this issue and the dealer had to replace the ABS hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) as it contained corrosion within the unit due to bad design which causes hydraulic braking failure to occur at any time. This campaign/recall below outlines the issue which I am going to present to the dealer to fix correctly as I am still under warranty. To me, this is a life or death type failure and could result in injuries. Hyundai should be responsible for replacing all ABS hecu before lives are lost for all 2009-2012 hyundai genesis, not just some vins that they deemed troublesome. They should take responsibility for all cars and immediately contact their owners. Hyundai recall - campaign 12-01-052 tsb: bh genesis sedan hecu inspection and brake fluid replacement (recall 114) original recall from the federal safety agency manufacturer's report date october 29, 2013 the federal safety agency action number pe13033 potential number of units affected 43,500

Filed Jan 15, 2017 · 65,500 miles · PA

Intermittent brake failures. Seems there has been a recall for bad brake fluid on this model year hyundai genesis sedan. Hyundai would not cover this vehicle under the recall when contacted. The vehicle has an intermittent soft brake pedal which goes all the way to the floor under hard and soft braking conditions, whether moving fast or slow and in all weather conditions. The brake pads and all 4 rotors are in good repair. There is no air in the brake lines. It appears to be the ABS module that is failing and causing unsafe braking conditions without warning. There are numerous online forum complaints about this module which seems to be a fault in design by hyundai. My hope is that the federal safety agency can inform other owners of this model year that unsafe braking conditions can happen at any time from failure of this ABS module.