2011 Hyundai Sonata: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Jul 18, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TN · fire

I was heading to work when suddenly smoke started pouring from the air conditioning vents, and the ABS and traction control warning lights came on. I hit the brakes to pull over, only to realize I had lost braking power. I managed to steer to the side of the road as carefully as possible and bring the car to a stop—despite having no brakes and a fire burning under the hood. I tried downshifting to slow the vehicle, but the transmission didn't respond, and the cabin began filling with smoke. Once I stopped, there was nothing I could do to extinguish the fire, as the car was completely consumed within seconds. It was a fire in the engine bay; I lost the brakes, and the ABS and traction control lights lit up. I assume it was a critical failure in the braking system, most likely involving the ABS module.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · AR

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 informed that the engine needed to be repaired and the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic repaired the vehicle. There was a recall for the ABS module and the contact returned to the dealer, and the dealer confirmed that the independent mechanic had correctly installed the part. The dealer performed the official recall repair and refused to reimburse the contact for the previous expenses. Three months later, the braking system failed again. The contact stated that the vehicle temporarily returned to normal after a restart, but the failure worsened and required a return trip to the dealer for another repair. In January 2026, the failure recurred for a third time with a loud squealing sound. The dealer was not notified of the third failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Brakes · 149,000 miles · VA

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 notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The repair was performed. The failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that the recall was closed. The vehicle was taken to an alternate dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed hydraulic ABS booster sensor. The contact was provided DTC: C1237/HPU. The contact was informed that the hydraulic ABS booster sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was released to the contact; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated and then went off. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle for a second inspection. The dealer declined to perform the second inspection. The contact was informed that the repair was not associated with the recall repair. In addition, the contact referenced several unknown recalls; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not related to a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Brakes · 150,728 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The brake pedal was depressed; however the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact coasted the vehicle into a parking space. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with HECU failure. The contact was informed that the failure was the result of a failed ABS fuse. The contact was informed that the HECU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact requested reimbursement for the previous repair. The request was declined by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 150,728.

Filed Jan 22, 2024 · Brakes · TX

Abs unit still in need of remedy Engine emitting smoke and harsh smell no incident has occurred yet but there may be damage occurring to my vehicle

Filed Jan 2, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · MA

This is a 'Stop Lamp Switch' issue. The car will randomly turn on the ABS light causing the ABS system to engage and not allow you to use the accelerator pedal. This is very dangerous as if you are about to merge on or off a highway the car does not allow you to correctly control your speed. This issue happens more prevalently at night time when the full beam headlights (auto or manually turn on when dark out), which is very concerning. This issue has been going on for a year now and no mechanics at Hyundai can fix or diagnose. It happened again to me this morning and came very close to causing an accident as I could not engage the accelerator pedal on a turn. Please, in the interest of safety and saving lives fix this dangerous defective part issue.

Filed Dec 6, 2023 · Brakes · CT

The ABS system has had a recall due to the potential for an engine fire. The initial recall was set on 9/22/23. Up until today (12/6/23) no action has been taken by the manufacturer but we are left without a car.

Filed Apr 3, 2023 · Engine · 50,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast into a parking lot. The engine, oil, air bag, traction control, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who informed the contact that it would be four to five weeks before being serviced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced in 2018. The manufacturer was notified and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Nov 12, 2022 · Airbags, Brakes · IL

I have had to replace my brake lights, sometimes, every few months. My third brake light only works intermittently. Recently, my brake lights and my door lights failed to shut off after I turned the engine off. Also, my abs light came on on the dash, but after turning the engine off and back on, that light went out. After re-starting my car and repeatedly, stepping on the brake, my lights finally shut off. I checked the internet for similar problems and found out that there had been a Hyundai recall for this issue. I phoned Hyundai customer support. They told me the recall had been repaired on my car by the dealer . Obviously, it had not. (The dealer also claimed to have corrected another recall regarding seat belts, but that too is a lie, since my seat belt dash light is on although I have never been involved in an accident) I believe that the dealer billed Hyundai, but failed to either deliberately or inadvertently failed to perform the recall work. The recall involved replacing the brake stopper pad which engages the brake light switch. Obviously, Hyundai considered this a safety issue since the brake lights are always on, so the driver behind my car never knows what I'm doing. This has also affected the interior overhead light which only intermittently goes off when I close the door, so I have to keep the light in the off position.

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Engine · MD

On March 5, 2020 I was entering a highway and increased my speed a little so I can get into my lane. After I made it into the highway my car lost power in the middle of the road and immediately would not go past 20 mph. I had to drive slowly and get all the way over into another lane and stopped in a nearby neighborhood. I went to not having any dashboard indicators to now a check engine light, oil light, and ABS. I checked my dip stick to see how much oil did I have in my car and I was completely empty but I was not due for an oil change yet. I had to get my car towed to my home. The next day, we tried to let my car rest so it sat. On that Morning, I drove my car maybe 8 minutes up the road to stop at an auto zone place. There weren’t any dashboard lights so I assumed my car was okay. The representative did a diagnostic on my car and he said he didn’t find any problems except I needed my brakes worked on & I didn’t have any oil. He put new oil in my car and told me I should be able to drive it up the road to my mechanic. I let my car run a little with the oil topped off and maybe drove no more than 15 minutes before those previous dashboard lights appeared on my car again and my car stopped power and wouldn’t drive any more than 20 mph. Long story short, I had to get my car towed twice since then. To my mechanic and then to the Hyundai dealership in Gaithersburg, MD. The rep. at the dealership said her mechanic recommended that I get an engine combustion cleaning, a new pcv valve and a oil change because I didn’t have any oil in my car. I told her that was weird because I had put oil in my car from the auto zone place and I believe my car must be leaking oil. Today, August 15th I am still having problems with running out of oil before my oil change mileage and date and I am not having any indicators on my dashboard to alert me. This can cause me to drive around without knowing and my engine can lock. That is a safety issue!!

Filed Jan 29, 2022 · Brakes · FL

The ABS system just stopped working while driving, loud brake warning beeps and the brakes stopped functioning making a vibrating sound then stopped working all together, I pulled over as safe as i could and found no leaks , fluid is good. started the car again and after 2 minutes did it again... was told by hyundai that a new abs modulator will be needed but it could not be reset to the computer so I would need a new ECU as well to match....are you kidding,,,thousands of dollars of work and labor ,,,,"""FOR BRAKES,""",,, I bought a money pit not a car...

Filed Feb 9, 2021 · Engine · 140,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 hyundai sonata. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was smoke and fire detected from underneath the hood. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the oil warning indicator light was flashing. A police report was not filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.