2013 Hyundai Sonata: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · RI

To Whom It May Concern: I am submitting this complaint to report ongoing safety concerns involving my 2013 Hyundai Sonata. I purchased this vehicle in 2022 through financing and paid it off in 2025. Since acquiring the vehicle, I have experienced persistent mechanical issues that I believe may pose a safety risk to myself, my child, and others on the road. The most concerning issue involves the braking system. I have had the brakes replaced and serviced multiple times, yet the brakes begin grinding again within a very short period, including an instance where the grinding returned approximately one month after replacement. Despite spending money on repairs, the problem continues to reoccur. I am concerned that there may be an underlying defect affecting the braking system that is not being properly identified or corrected through normal maintenance. In addition, the vehicle consumes an excessive amount of oil, requiring frequent monitoring and replacement between oil changes. I am concerned that this issue could potentially lead to engine failure or other dangerous mechanical problems while the vehicle is being operated. As a single mother, I rely on this vehicle daily for transportation to and from work and for caring for my family. I have experienced significant financial hardship attempting to keep the vehicle operational and safe. Despite my efforts to maintain the vehicle, these issues continue to occur. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review this complaint and determine whether these issues may be related to known defects, recalls, investigations, or patterns reported by other owners of 2013 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. I am willing to provide maintenance records, repair invoices, mileage information, and any additional documentation that may assist in evaluating this matter. Thank you for your attention to this complaint and for your commitment to vehicle safety.

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 Dec 7, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · OK

After starting, got a warning stating check hybrid braking, do not drive. When going forward, brake pedal went to floor, heard heavy grinding noise and vehicle stopped accelerating. Had to use the emergency brakes to avoid an accident. Hyundai says they can’t find a problem. Now I can’t even drive it back to the dealer! Did an internet search and many other hybrid owners have reported the same issue. I just want to have Hyundai buy the car back at this point. It only has a little over 50,000 miles on it.

Filed Dec 1, 2024 · Steering · VA

My car suddenly stopped while in drive, with a forceful jerk like someone hit me from behind. This nearly caused a 3 car crash. It grinds when you put it in park but the car doesn't move in drive nor reverse.

Filed Oct 14, 2024 · Lights, Steering · MI

The steering wheel makes clicking and grinding noise. Steering wheel coupling may be broken. And sometimes head and interior lights turn on and off when I make turns

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · Brakes · MS

Around mid-April of 2023, I was driving and i attempted to LIGHTLY apply my brakes and an alarm starts going off. Then the brakes VIOLENTLY start grinding. I went from 50mph to an immediate 10mph. The dealership said they replaced the fuse that SHOULD solve the problem. It did not. My car has been sitting at the dealership for a whole year now. They have not been able to update me on when it will be fixed. They have made ZERO attempts to provide me with a reasonable accommodation for my ONLY form of transportation being their lawn ornament for a year. I lost my job. I lost my place to live. And they are doing nothing. Now they say they're going to be replacing fuses to fix the issue but they already tried that and it did nothing. Every time I call to ask about an update, they put me on hold for over 10 minutes and then say there's nothing they can do at this time. The only thing they have tried to do is attempt to get me to buy a whole new car, which is out of the question because mine is completely paid off. This has seriously affected mine and my child's life. I don't even have a vehicle to go grocery shopping or make it to dr appointments or shoot functions because I have no way to get there.

Filed Oct 20, 2023 · Engine · 125,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and rattling sound and failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and the sound had become louder. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TN

When activating gas pedal, there is a rattling and grinding when in motion and then it subsides. When stopped at light or intersection, when giving gas again, the rattling and grinding resumes. Car seemed to be running a little louder than it's ever been since purchasing a few years ago. At no time has there been any dashboard lights or warnings prompting any problems with engine, low oil or anything else which is what the dealer service center is now telling me is an issue with engine needing to be replaced. Current issues have not been occuring very long which causes me to give the service center a call for an appointment in the first place. Vehicle was dropped off a week ago today, Friday, 9/22/2023, waiting for parts. Currently no work has been done to my vehicle and is sitting on the service center's lot. Was told it will take quite a while to get parts. I've had a rental since Monday of this week and I'm scheduled to return it this evening. Rental is and was expensive and I don't have a spare vehicle to get back and forth to work. Service center hasn't offered a loaner vehicle or suggested a rental company that will provide reasonable rates and collaboration with them. I just want my vehicle fixed and not have to repair cost that would be equal to me just getting another vehicle which is what the quoted cost to repair my vehicle is equivalent to.

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 Aug 3, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · IL

My 2013 Hyundai Sonata Gt was a part of the Class action lawsuit in which the engine was replace. Within a year, I've had the vehicle checked and serviced at two different auto repairs shops for an extremely rough ride, loud rumbling-thumping and also a squeaking noise. The vehicle still drifts after having two separate wheel alignments. The steering wheel rattles and shakes with the slightest bump in the road. It feels like the underneath is falling apart and I'm going to lose control of the vehicle. With the sounds it makes and how it drives, it feels like I'm now driving a military tank instead of a car. I've spent over $2,000 for replacement-repairs of the: Tie Rods, U-Joints, Bushing, Brakes, two alignments and four new tires. I called the Ofallon IL Hyundai dealer who said there were no recalls or warranty left on these parts. After not getting any assistance from Auffenberg Hyundai, I researched online and found hundreds of complaints involving the suspension, Steering coupler, defective coil springs puncturing tires and causing motor vehicle accidents and serious injury. There were no warning messages prior to any of these symptoms. I feel that these mentioned parts contribute to maintaining control of the vehicle. I'm sure this could lead to a serious accident which could cause fatalities to eveyone involved! .........

Filed Sep 23, 2021 · Fuel system · 96,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her son was in traffic, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact’s son was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle home. When the contact drove the vehicle, she stated that an abnormal grinding sound was coming from the vehicle while driving up an incline. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated on the vehicle during the failure. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer to have the vehicle serviced for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V121000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer then called the contact and informed her that a diagnostic test needed to be performed on the vehicle prior to the recall repair. The contact refused to pay for a diagnostic test and instructed the dealer to only repair the recall on the vehicle. Since that call, the contact had called the dealer on multiple occasions but had yet to receive a response. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. The VIN was not available.

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.