The vehicle is experiencing an immediate and severe safety hazard involving the sudden, simultaneous failure of multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Specifically, both the front and side collision warning systems repeatedly trigger false visual and audible alerts when there are no physical obstacles, surrounding traffic, or adverse weather conditions present. Most critically, these false sensor alarms frequently result in severe "phantom braking" incidents. While traveling at normal cruising speeds, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system unexpectedly engages and aggressively applies the brakes without warning or cause. This unprovoked deceleration creates a critical hazard, drastically increasing the risk of a rear-end collision from trailing vehicles. A temporary mitigation requires manually changing the driver assistance settings from "Active Assist" to "Warning Only" every time the vehicle is turned on, as the system defaults back to active braking upon restart. Cleaning the windshield camera and the front radar plate does not resolve the issue, pointing to a deeper systemic electronic, hardware, or software network failure within the vehicle's safety management modules. The manufacturer needs to investigate this multi-zone sensor malfunction and the resulting unexpected automated braking actions.
Hyundai Sonata collision warning problems
25 of the 16,117 owner complaints about the Hyundai Sonata describe false forward collision warnings, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 700
By model year
- 20251
- 20243
- 20233
- 20223
- 20213
- 20203
- 20192
- 20181
- 20162
- 20154
Often reported together
Lane assist 6Jerking 4Loss of power 3Adaptive cruise 3Warning lights 2Power steering loss 2Phantom braking 2Headlights 2
What owners say
The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. In addition, the contact stated that on multiple occasions while turning into a parking lot, the vehicle's collision avoidance system would engage while in the vicinity of another vehicle as a warning chime would emit from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they initially could not diagnose or duplicate the failure. The contact was asked to come and drive the vehicle herself and she was able to duplicate the failure. The dealer eventually diagnosed the vehicle with a failed transmission and remained in the dealer's possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was later informed that they would not replace the vehicle but would replace the transmission. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the dealer's possession. The failure mileage was approximately 50.
Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning/Blind Spot Detection Forward Collision Warning Antilock Brake System/ABS Lane Departure Warning Lane keeping Assistance I bought this vehicle last month from a dealer and two days later all the warning lights start popping up on the dashboard so I contacted the dealer and told them what was going on with the car they told me to bring it in so that the technician can check to see what’s wrong with it they told me that there’s nothing wrong with the vehicle so I went back home and the same day all the warning lights came back on so now I’m concerned about my daughter’s safety because she use the vehicle to drive to and from school and you never know when the brakes might fail, again I just bought this vehicle a month ago just one month not even a year and it’s having all this problem even though it’s a pre-owned vehicle I shouldn’t have to take it to the shop after one month please help… thank you
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light intermittently illuminated with an audible chime while the driver’s and passenger's side seat belts were properly buckled. Additionally, on two separate occasions, the horn was inoperable, and the anti-collision warning light illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and two other dealers, Alexandria Hyundai (1707 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301) and Sheehy Hyundai of Waldorf (2910 Crain Hwy, Waldorf, MD 20601), who were unable to duplicate the seat belt failures. The third dealer, Sheehy Hyundai of Waldorf (2910 Crain Hwy, Waldorf, MD 20601), determined that the horn needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V796000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, and while driving at various speeds, the engine revved unintendedly, and the vehicle jerked. The ABS, traction control, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message "Front Collision Avoidance Deactivated" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a valve and gasket were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall was not completed because the part was not yet available. The contact expressed concerns due to a fire risk associated with the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
1. All safety features related to the back up camera, EPS, Traction Control, Lane Assist, Active Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Forward Collision Avoidance and more. 2. Loss of all safety features and then sudden restoration of EPS would cause swerve into oncoming lanes or into neighboring lanes and/or ditches. 3. Yes the problem has been reproduced, repeatedly in cold weather and while the dealership has had it in for repairs. 4. No, but the dealership has contacted the manufacturer for repair advice. 5. Yes, every time. I have photos of my dash with the indicating lights on. 10/2/23.
In morning dew/foggy winshield, the systems will disable easily. You get pop ups such as: Inattentive Driving Disabled, Camera Obscured. And forward collision warning disabled, camera obscured. I’ve had many vehicles in the past and the safety systems never disable this easily over slight fog or slight morning dew. Even with a lot of fog on the winshield my other cars are still fine. I also have a 2023 Elantra that has NEVER done this before. It seems to be an issue in Hyundais new driver assistance systems in 2024+ vehicles.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking system engaged abruptly while there was no other vehicle or object near the vehicle, which nearly caused another vehicle to rear-end the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The dealer was notified of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
During snow and icing conditions the forward collision radar in the logo gets covered up and becomes inoperable. This at the very time that we most need forward collision warning. It would helpful if there was electric deicing in the unit, much like the rear view side mirrors.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the Forward Collision Avoidance failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the sensor was braking prematurely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3.3 liter engines and electronic stability control (ESC), the ESC may have been programmed to be oversensitive to the onset of oversteering while driving on banked curves, causing inadvertent application of the front outside brake when ESC activation may not be needed.
- Risk
- This may cause the vehicle to slow and may affect the path that the vehicle is traveling. Brake application caused by inadvertent ESC activation may result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the ESC hydraulic electronic control unit. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 05V316000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Sonata collision warning
Which Hyundai Sonata years have false forward collision warnings problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (4 complaints), 2020 (3 complaints) and 2021 (3 complaints).
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