Hyundai Genesis spongy pedal problems

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 Dec 15, 2025 · Brakes · IL

2013 Hyundai Genesis sedan (BH) is experiencing the intermittent soft brake pedal and reduced braking pressure that matches the TSB 22-BR-001H for the HECU on 2009-2012 Genesis sedans. I took it to the local dealership but their mechanic said they could not recreate the condition. The ABS and ESC lights have both come on at times but I was told there are no stored codes. The tech noted that the rear driver brake pads appeared to have some additional wear indicating additional ABS activity or sticking brake pads. I paid to have a brake service performed and the brake fluid flush/replacement performed to eliminate the concern of any air entrapment or sticking brake pads. However, this work did not resolve the problem. The shop said there are no open recalls nor brake related TSBs for the 2013. They have not fully tested the master cylinder, booster, nor the HECU. With no support for the model year, despite the MANY issues reported for this problem on the 2013 and Hyundai's knowledge of these problems form 2009-2020 model years, this TSB should be expanded for additional model years and likely should be considered as a recall repair due to the safety risk of brake pressure loss.

Filed Mar 15, 2024 · Brakes · OH

Soft brake pedal on application...and continues to floor before any active braking. No warning or lights active on dash. This results in extended braking distance and possible collision with vehicles ahead. Issue is known to manufacturer and dealers. Dealers delay avoid repairs stating no parts (58920-3m3a6) available. Hyundai tsb 21-br-001h-1 issued for hyundai genesis 2009thru 2012 manufacture date, however braking failures continue for later model years due same part #. Dealer diagnosed issue.

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 Sep 28, 2021 · Brakes · VA

While attempting to brake on exit ramp off an interstate highway, the brake pedal was depressed almost to the floorboard with minimal slowing. The brakes were pumped several times with slowing vehicle speed. Fortunately, the exit ramp was long enough to allow a safe stop. Pedal remains soft and spongy. No warning lights are on. Brakes functioned normally until this incident at 138,200 miles. However, master cylinder was replaced at 102,000 miles for a similar problem at an independent auto shop. I am awaiting a dealer repair time. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Feb 6, 2021 · 100,000 miles · GA

After the traction control light comes on when using the vehicle. The brake pedal is hard to push and causes the car to pull and fails to slow down as normal. You then have to come to a complete stop and pump the brake pedal down to the floor two or three times and the brakes function as normal again until the traction control light comes on again. Seems to be a common issue based on several forums that I read. It is a safety concern, because you don't know when it will happen to your car's brakes unless you see the traction controll light come on and if you don't know the ABS light went on it surprises you and you can easily not be able to stop in the normal distance or the pulling to one side almost causes the car to veer into on coming traffic.

Filed Jun 22, 2020 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · GA

Ibrake failure! Hydraulic module assy failure was driving the vehicle and during the drive, my brake all of a sudden became soft and required me to push all the way to the floor to stop the car. I believe it's referred to as spongy brakes. I took the car to an independent mechanic shop and they diagnosed a faulty hydraulic module assembly. I also called the dealer and they mentioned there was a recall on the brake fluid due to its potential to cause corrosion in the brake system. The dealer is now quoting me ~$3,400 to repair and replace the hydraulic module assy. Wow!! I called hyundai USA and they said since the car was out of warranty they would not cover the repair, I informed them of the recall on fluid and they said it does not cover the parts that were damaged by the bad fluid. This is unfair and excessive behavior on the part hyundai. Clearly they recognized the fluid was damaging brake components but are unwilling to cover related repairs. The brakes on this car are an accident waiting to happening since the brakes are failing. I would not buy another hyundai vehicle knowing they won't cover critical safety components. Others have voiced the same issue with no support from hyundai.

Filed Oct 29, 2019 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · CA

Spongy brake, pedal sink to the floor.