2013 Hyundai Sonata: brake failure

Filed Nov 12, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 128,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and hesitated. The brake and the hybrid system warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the right side of the road and waited for her husband to arrive. The contact turned off the vehicle and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the hybrid ECU needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer checked the error on the brake failure light that was illuminated, but had not yet gotten a response back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone where it was diagnosed, and determined that the hybrid ECU needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions for the past three years. The engine was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and informed the contact that they have not heard from the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Brakes · MO

Sudden brake failure while driving at speeds around 40 mph, where both the accelerator and brakes became unresponsive, forcing me to coast before regaining limited braking ability after repeated pumping or having to "restart" the car completely. During these events, loud grinding or dragging noises and vibrations were present. Despite adequate brake fluid levels and pad condition, the brake pedal went to the floor. Could be a potential hydraulic or booster failure. It is available for inspection upon request. I was in the car with a significant other at the time of the incident, this happened around 9 times on a very busy highway during a rush. I have been able to reproduce the problem on my own but has now been inspected by a dealer or independent service center. Online resources indicate others with the same symptoms under same conditions have. The component has not been manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. But I have very recently (around 4 months ago) passed a vehicle inspection. There were no warnings or other symptoms prior to failure, it's very sudden and having no idea when and where it would happen makes the car inoperable.

Filed Jan 29, 2024 · Brakes · GA

On [XXX], my brakes failed on my 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid on a busy interstate in Atlanta, GA. I had it towed to Ed Voyles Hyundai in Smyrna, GA and after "looking at it" they were not able to diagnose the issue. I informed them my brakes went out, they ran a diagnostic test and found where the message came across the dash, but stated it was fine and to bring it back if it happened again. On [XXX], it happened again. My brakes failed and the same alert was sounding off in my vehicle. I took it to Ed Voyles again and they were finally able to determine it was the ABS module on my vehicle. This was due to an electrical short in the brake system. I found out it is the same part as the recall. I emailed the service manager and he agreed. However, Hyundai Motor America will not allow them to remedy the issue because they haven't "come up with a remedy". The recall is listed as severe! Not only will it catch on fire, but the brakes also fail! There is a burning smell that comes from under my car and I am not sure how there is no remedy for a recall that could cost HMA way more than to replace some ABS modules. I don't feel safe driving my vehicle and I am not sure how to get more attention to this matter. It is immensely unsafe to allow millions of people to drive in a potential failing brake fire hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Brakes · WA

The left front brake caliper fell off and rubbed on the wheel’s rim. When I drove in reverse and hit the brakes the wheel would lock up and I couldn’t move. The dealer replaced the caliper. I had the brakes inspected by the local tire and brake specialists, Les Schwab. They wrote the inspection as the brakes locking bolt(the bolt that holds the caliper in place) was missing and the caliper was rubbing against the wheel. There wasn’t a warning. But, I did hear a loud clunk right before the brakes failed then the brakes made a rumbling sound as if I had a rock stuck in the brake pad. I asked the dealer to save the broken unit so I could document it but the service department manager for Korum Hyundai of Puyallup tried to pass off a different unit. I took pictures of both my unit (on the car) and the unit the manager was trying to pass off.

Filed Jul 25, 2023 · Brakes · TX

The active hydraulic booster(AHB) failed while I was driving. While driving 70 mph down the highway the car began to beep and immediately the breaks began to lock up and brake pedal went all the way to the floor. All I could hear was grinding and it was hard to stop. A car came close to hitting me because the deceleration was so abrupt. I towed it to hyundai dealership and they confirmed the issue is the AHB. After further research, I learn that this happens more often then expect on this vehicle and at first was very hard to diagnose.

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · CA

hyundai sonata 2013 acceleration stopped working while on freeway. Lagging Noise when pressing on gas to accelerate. Noticed engine light flashing. Red oil light was on as well as EPS light on . Got off freeway to off ramp in turn lane. Luckily stopped by itself. brakes stopped working couldn't press down and not able to use gas. Car was still on only thing I could do was turn steering wheel. After 10 min was able to turn off car and turn back on with only engine light on and could move off the off ramp to chevron gas station. Later I was able to follow my husband to our home with car. Engine was still on and flashing .

Filed Oct 29, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · KS

*** Normal driving, brakes went out while driving. *** Car was recently repaired by dealer related to hybrid power relay system failure - fuse and precharge relay failed and forced car to pull over while at highway speeds to side of road then left driver stranded on side of road. This was repaired supposedly. Now just a couple weeks later under normal street driving condition brakes totally went out. Stop light then let off brake and car started beeping and making noises - check engine light, brake light, LCD displayed BRAKE warning and flashed "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive". The car was unresponsive to acceleration pedal and only slowly moved then puttered a little bit but I managed to get it out of the intersection and into a parking lot under its own power. Brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I used Emergency Brake to stop and park then had it towed. Could have been disaster if I was on highway - which I was at stop light to turn onto when the failure occurred. I am scared of this car now. 2 times in a month it has forced driver to pull over and then become unresponsive. No brakes is the last straw. This is a dangerous car now.

Filed Feb 3, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 93,052 miles · FL

Brake pedal went to the floor. Horrible grinding sound from all the wheels. Chiming. Hybrid system warning. Was driving and had to pull to the side of the street. Found out that the the hydraulic power unit is at fault and had to be replaced. My car is out of warranty and I had to pay over 2000 out of pocket. Complained to hyundai costumer service and also to the bbb and they all told me to file a report with you. This is an ongoing issue with the sonata hybrid since 2019. The information is found in hyundai forum website. Https://www.hyundai-forums.com/threads/brakes-failure-on-sonata-hybrid.155580/page-5 this issue should please be investigated for recall purposes.

Filed Jan 28, 2021 · Brakes · 93,051 miles · FL

Brake pedal went to the floor. Horrible grinding sound from all the wheels. Chiming. Hybrid system warning.

Filed Sep 11, 2020 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · CA

I am getting a error - flashing blue lights saying ' hybrid system warning do not drive ' check brakes. The car will not drive, and the brake pedal goes all the way to the floor.

Filed Aug 10, 2020 · Fuel system · 95,000 miles · FL

Full engine shutdown while going 70 on the highway., no brakes, gas, steering wheel, but surprisingly I was able to roll safely to a stop without coming in contact with anything/one. Hyundai agreed the engine had seized so they replaced it but not the initial issue of the fuel feed line.(which I got a recall in the mail the next day for a fuel line) hyundai has not given me an estimated time frame in when this recall will be fixed. Kinda scary to drive around in....

Filed Sep 8, 2019 · Transmission · 74,111 miles · VA

Very similar to htsa id number: 10607383. Car refuses to accelerate reliably . In addition on braking the car will lurch forward for 1-2 seconds. No loss of brake pedal feel but could cause accident in close circumstances.