2012 Hyundai Sonata: brake failure

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · MO · fire · 1 injury

I was driving I seen smoke then full flames on my windshield and I tried to stop and put my car in park to get out but my brakes stopped working and I couldn’t get the gear in park so I opened the driver door and had to jump out of the car .I had an engine replacement a year before for it being recalled and police and firefighters were on scene after incident

Filed Jun 19, 2024 · Brakes · CT

The car has been meticulously maintained — I am glad to provide all records of regular service upon request — and lovingly cared for. It came to us in great shape. Until, that is, I drove it for the first time and the brakes failed. I rolled into an intersection. Luckily, there was no traffic and no one was harmed. But I had a very helpless feeling, and I feel incredibly grateful no one was hurt. After taking the vehicle to two mechanics, they independently confirmed that a sensor in the ABS module was failing, leading to a sudden loss of braking. After a cursory internet search, I found that many owners of this model and year of vehicle have encountered this dangerous problem.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · IL

•brake failure •this has happened at indiscriminate times including the highway, suddenly the car tells me to stop driving and the brakes don’t work as they should, no telling this would happen until it occurs. When pressing brakes, a loud noise rumbles through the car and I am no longer able to drive at any speed higher than 5 mph (an issue for being on the road) risk of possible collision as this happens suddenly and gives short time to take action •UKNOWN •was inspected by local dealer, they said it was the primary pressure sensor which is a part of the Hydraulic brake booster pump. They wanted to replace the entire hydraulic unit even though it was only the sensor that was faulty and it would cost me $3,503.61 which is an ABSURD price for an electrical issue that I did not see coming at all and it is a robbery of regular people who need their cars to get to the places they need to be (work and family) this is NOT a luxury, I need my car •no warning signs or lights until the issue actually occurred. The only light that showed was the ABS lights, maybe it’s linked to the recall about the brake fluid leaking causing fires?

Filed Jan 26, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · LA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Hybrid Warning System: Safely Stop and Do Not Drive. Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I lost complete control of braking when the alarm went off, the brake pedal went to the floor, made a grinding sound, was driving at a slow speed and able to pull over and stop the car. Turned car of and turned back on alert went away, slowing started driving and alert returned and loss of brake Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Car is currently at a Hyundai dealership being evaluated, they are unable to reproduce error as of today 1/26/2024 Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not as of today. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? 1/24/2024 this was the 1st time this error occured.

Filed Jan 24, 2024 · Brakes · 93,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond intermittently. The contact was unaware if any warning lights had been illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

While driving on the freeway, the Hybrid system warning, safely stop and do not drive will alternately flash with check brake and continuously the alarm sound with the park brake red light. The car would loose acceleration, and the brake pedal goes to the floor when applied. Once stopped, I restarted the car and the same things happen. The car can accelerate on and off for about 5mph. Brake pedal still goes to the floor. After restarting the car for 30-minutes- 1 hour, there are no warning lights or alarm. The car can be driven again. I brought to independent mechanic and found the code C1604 and there’s a recall 251 on ABS brake system- recommended to bring to dealer. Brought to dealer, they say that recall 251 had no fix yet. They diagnosed that the safety plug relay needs to be replaced. Dealer replaced it and said that the car is fixed. Pick up the car from the dealer. After 20 miles of driving the same problem occurred- Hybrid system warning, safely stop and do not drive will alternately flash with check brake and continuously the alarm sound with the park brake red light. Had the car towed back to the dealer. After 2 days, the dealer says it’s possibly a transmission issue. I asked how come it wasn’t diagnosed the first time around? No clear response.issue occurred 4 times already.

Filed May 4, 2021 · Brakes · 118,225 miles · TX

Brake pedal went to the floor with grinding noise. Car would not accelerate.

Filed Jan 9, 2020 · Brakes · 57,000 miles · UT

Upon starting the vehicle I received a loud chime and a warning on the small screen on the instrument cluster indicating a brake failure, and that I should not drive the car. The brake pedal went to the floor and there was a very loud grinding and chattering sound coming from the front of the car. There was almost no braking action. I turned the car off and attempted to restart it. The same symptoms occurred. I then checked outside of the car for leaking fluid. There was none. I opened the hood and inspected the brake fluid reservoir and found it approximately 3/4 full of brake fluid. I wiggled the electrical connections to the master cylinder and the fluid connections also. I got back in the car and attempted a restart. The car started without a problem.

Filed Sep 23, 2019 · Brakes · 94,000 miles · AZ

I have a 2012 sonata hybrid 94,000 miles. I was pulling into a parking lot on 09/21/2019 when I had a complete brake failure. Thank god, I was only going about 10 MPH. Brake pedal went to the floor. Horrible grinding sound from all the wheels. Chiming alarm. "hybrid system warning. Check brakes". Parked the car. Got out and looked all around. No leaks. Checked the brake fluid level, and it was ok. Turned the car back on and no brake dash warnings or chiming. Backed car up and no grinding sound. Called dealer. Hybrid mechanic happened to be near phone. I was told to check brake fluid level and turn car off and on to see if it happened again. Already did that with no problems. Had to drive the car home which was 180 miles away. It makes no sense that everything is working fine now. Had a local brake shop check for leaks, etc. No problems. They plugged into the car's computer, and there were no error codes. Reluctant to take it to the dealer when no current problem exists. Don't want them to just start replacing parts which are very expensive and as much as $3,000 total installed. Found identical issues reported at https://www.hyundai-forums.com/threads/brakes-failure-on-sonata-hybrid.155580/page-4 along with shared concern about what happens when you're traveling down a steep hill at 75 MPH and the same thing happens?

Filed Feb 9, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 78,534 miles · IL · crash

The driver experienced a stalled engine while driving. The brakes failed to respond and the steering wheel locked up. The car coasted, despite repeated braking attempts, and jumped a curb and stopped when it ran over onto a person's lawn. The driver attempted to steer and stop multiple times. As a consequence, the two driver side tires blew out. The car will be towed to a dealer. A police report was issued.

Filed Jan 17, 2018 · Electrical · 91 miles · CA

My brake tail light has a short no brakes lights on one side

Filed Jul 14, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 104,022 miles · CA

I was driving with my daughter and took a wrong turn ending up on a dead end street on a hill in sonora. When I put it in reverse turned around then started going forward my entire car and brakes failed without warning. I quickly through on the emergency brake that stopped me from hitting a tree. Thank god it happened there as the next morning I would have been on a 2 lane mountain highway with all 3 of my daughters on a holiday weekend and it could have been fatal. My car has had all services and had just been serviced recently there were no issues and no recalls