REAR BRAKES: RUBBING, GRINDING, PREMATURE WEAR AND REDUCED BREAKING EFFECTIVENESS. REPLACEMENT OF REAR ROTORS AND PADS WERE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TO PASS SAFETY INSPECTION. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE CALIPERS WERE NOT SEIZED OR STICKING BUT THAT DRIED OUT LUBRICATION ON SLIDES, PINS, SHIMS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE WEAR. *TR
2009 Hyundai Sonata
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sonata years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Sonata are substantially higher than the model-year median of 161.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sonata years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
375 reports with mileage · 85 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
34 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD EMIT A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD EMIT A GRINDING NOISE WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT STARTED MAKING NOISES WHEN BRAKING AT ABOUT 18000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ROTORS AND I PAID TO HAVE THOSE TURNED(?). THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE NEXT TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS DEBRIS ON THE BRAKE PADS.(REALLY?) THE NOISE AGAIN WENT AWAY FOR A WEEK OR TWO. NEXT…
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I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT STARTED MAKING NOISES WHEN BRAKING AT ABOUT 18000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ROTORS AND I PAID TO HAVE THOSE TURNED(?). THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE NEXT TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS DEBRIS ON THE BRAKE PADS.(REALLY?) THE NOISE AGAIN WENT AWAY FOR A WEEK OR TWO. NEXT I WAS TOLD THE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. AGAIN, A COUPLE OF WEEKS TILL I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN. THE NEXT REPAIR WAS NEW FRONT PADS THAT MY DEALERSHIP GOT APPROVED FROM HYUNDAI WARRANTY. AGAIN NO NOISE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. NOW, AT 36000 MILES I NEED REAR BRAKES.IN BETWEEN THE TIMES MY CAR WAS REPAIRED, I ALSO TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 6 TIMES WHEN THEY EITHER COULD NOT HEAR A NOISE OR COULD NOT FIND THE NOISE. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, NO SALT ON THE ROADS. MOST OF MY MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR NEED REAR BRAKES BEFORE 100,000 MILES, EVEN IN CONNECTICUT. I HAVE LOOKED UP HYUNDAI BRAKE PROBLEMS ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES. THIS SHOULD BE MADE A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. *TR
BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE. RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP WHEN SLOWING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS HAD SIGNIFICANT AND PREMATURE CORROSION WHICH IS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO STICK AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE CAR BE TAKEN TO THE D…
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BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE. RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP WHEN SLOWING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS HAD SIGNIFICANT AND PREMATURE CORROSION WHICH IS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO STICK AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE CAR BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE BECAUSE BASED ON HIS RESEARCH THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE WERE LIKELY DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY AND HE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIX THEM PROPERLY USING FACTORY OR AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PARTS. HE SPECULATED THAT SINCE THE DEALERS HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH THIS PROBLEM, THEY MAY HAVE SOME INSTALLATION TRICKS USING THE DEFECTIVE HYUNDAI CALIPERS. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THEN SPOKE WITH A HYUNDAI DEALER SERVICE REP AND THEY STATED THAT "THIS IS COMMON IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED, EVEN FOR SONATAS WITH LOWER MILES AND THE BEST THEY COULD DO WAS TO CLEAN THE CALIPERS." I'M BRINGING THE SONATA TO THE DEALER ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 FOR REPAIR BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THE DISCUSSION WITH THE DEALER. *TR
I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA AND A GRINDING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED, A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, FROM THE DEALER WITH ABOUT 13,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 37,000 MILES,…
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I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA AND A GRINDING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID MY BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED, A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, FROM THE DEALER WITH ABOUT 13,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 37,000 MILES, THE MAJORITY BEING HIGHWAY MILES. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER CAR REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE PRICE I WAS QUOTED FROM THE DEALER SEEMED UNREASONABLY HIGH. THE PLACE I TOOK MY CAR TO TOLD ME THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE CAR THEY NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CALIBER WAS STUCK AND THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO UNSTICK IT. THE MECHANIC SAID HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE ROTOR AND THE BRAKE PADS. HE SAID I SHOULD THINK ABOUT REPLACING THE CALIPERS. I ASKED WHY THEY WOULD GO BAD THIS SOON. HE SAID IT COULD BE A DEFECT, THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DEFECT REPORTED WITH THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE CALIPERS. I ASKED HIM IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER MY CAR WARRANTY. HE SAID I SHOULD CHECK WITH THE DEALER. FROM EVERYTHING I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET THE CALIPERS SHOULD NOT GO BAD THIS SOON. IF THEY DO, THEY CAUSE THE VERY PROBLEMS I AM HAVING. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOLD HIM WHAT THE OTHER MECHANIC FOUND IN REGARD TO THE CALIPER. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CALIPER WHEN THEY LOOKED AT IT. THE FUNNY THING IS THAT THE PRICE THE DEALER QUOTED ME TO REPAIR JUST MY BRAKES AND ROTORS IS THE SAME PRICE THE OTHER MECHANIC QUOTED ME TO REPAIR THE ROTOR, BRAKES AND CALIPERS. I AM HAVING JUST THE BRAKES AND ROTORS DONE AT THIS TIME SINCE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CALIPERS. IF THEY ARE NOT TELLING ME THE TRUTH, I WILL BE HAVING THIS BRAKE PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR
I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 45000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE PADS IN THE REAR AT 10,000 MILES . I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AN ADDITIONAL 3 TIMES AND THE FRONT PADS ONLY ONCE. I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC AND AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR FOR OVER 45 YEARS AN NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WEAR OUT REAR BRAKES F…
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I HAVE A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 45000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE PADS IN THE REAR AT 10,000 MILES . I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AN ADDITIONAL 3 TIMES AND THE FRONT PADS ONLY ONCE. I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC AND AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR FOR OVER 45 YEARS AN NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WEAR OUT REAR BRAKES FASTER THAN THE FRONT ONES WITHOUT SOMETHING MAJOR WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. I HAVE CHECKED THE CALIPERS AND THEY ARE NOT DRAGGING THE PADS AGAINST THE ROTORS. THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MANAGER HE SAID THIS WAS NORMAL, I DON'T THINK SO! *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, I NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. IT BECAME WORSE AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND BRAKE, SO I PARKED THE CAR AS SOON AS I COULD. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AWAY. THEY SAID I NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKE PADS AND RO…
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AS I WAS DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, I NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. IT BECAME WORSE AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND BRAKE, SO I PARKED THE CAR AS SOON AS I COULD. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AWAY. THEY SAID I NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, BECAUSE THE ROTORS HAD BECOME TOO DAMAGED TO USE. I HAD THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION (I.E. A TYPICAL "SQUEAL") THAT WOULD HAVE ALERTED ME TO WEAR ON MY BRAKE PADS. THEY WERE SIMPLY GONE. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, AS BRAKE FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED HAD I NOT STOPPED DRIVING AND GOTTEN MY CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 38,000 MILES IS FAR TOO EARLY FOR REAR BRAKE PADS TO BE COMPLETELY WORN AWAY. I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY OTHER VEHICLE WHERE THE REAR BRAKE PADS WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY WORN AWAY AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SUSPECT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT HAS LED TO PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR. THIS COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
I OWN A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED EDITION. I BOUGHT IT ON APRIL 8, 2010 AND IT HAD 21K AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ON JULY 17, 2011, (NOW AT 47K MILES) I NOTICED A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES AS THEY WENT AROUND. THIS NOISE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE NEXT 3 DAYS AND I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHA…
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I OWN A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED EDITION. I BOUGHT IT ON APRIL 8, 2010 AND IT HAD 21K AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ON JULY 17, 2011, (NOW AT 47K MILES) I NOTICED A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES AS THEY WENT AROUND. THIS NOISE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE NEXT 3 DAYS AND I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. (I ALSO PURCHASED A GREAT 7YR WARRANTY WHICH COVERS BASICALLY ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ITEMS.) I DROPPED THE CAR OFF ON THE EVENING OF JULY 21, 2011 AND THE NEXT DAY THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME TO INFORM ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR. THEY SAID THE CALIPER SLIDES WERE HANGING UP AND IT HAD CAUSED ALL MY BRAKES AND ROTORS TO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY OFFERED TO FIX "MY PROBLEM" FOR $520. I ASKED HOW THIS COULD POSSIBLE BE MY FAULT, I'VE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND I'VE NEVER ONCE HEARD OF LUBING THE CALIPER SLIDES. THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH MY WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT IT COVERS FAULTY CALIPERS. THEN I FOUND THIS WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.SONATABRAKEDEFECT.COM/INDEX.PHP/SONATADEFECT/SONATACOMMENTS.HTML AND I REALIZED I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. AS I READ FURTHER ON I REALIZED THAT HYUNDAI WILL NOT COVER THIS DEFECT BUT RECOMMENDS THAT YOU PAY THEM TO HAVE YOUR CALIPER SLIDES LUBED EVERY 15,000 MILES. WHEN I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP, WHICH I DID NOT ALLOW THEM TO FIX, I ASKED WHY I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THIS WAS A REQUIRED SERVICE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE. I RECEIVED NO LOGICAL ANSWER. I ALSO ASKED THEM TO SHOW ME WHERE IN MY OWNERS MANUAL UNDER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IT STATED THAT THE CALIPER SLIDES NEEDED TO BE LUBED AND THEY COULD NOT SHOW ME. THEY SAID IF I HAD BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO THEM FOR MAINTENANCE THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. THE WEAR ON THE BRAKES IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS AND UNSAFE. ALL PADS ARE WORN UNEVENLY AND IN EXCESS. ALL OF MY BRAKES ARE DESTROYED AND MUST BE REPLACED AT THIS POINT. *TT
I BROUGHT MY 2009 HYUNDAI IN FOR 16,500 MILE CHECK AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE SHOES AND ROTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I TOLD THEM I HAD NOT NOTED ANY SYMPTOMS OF OR SOUND OF BRAKE FAILURE AND WOULD GET A SECOND OPINION. AT 18,701 MILES I NOTICED NOISE WHILE BREAKING AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE SER…
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I BROUGHT MY 2009 HYUNDAI IN FOR 16,500 MILE CHECK AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE SHOES AND ROTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I TOLD THEM I HAD NOT NOTED ANY SYMPTOMS OF OR SOUND OF BRAKE FAILURE AND WOULD GET A SECOND OPINION. AT 18,701 MILES I NOTICED NOISE WHILE BREAKING AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY DRIVING WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. I TOLD HIM THAT I DO NOT EVER NEED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK AND SURELY DIDN'T DRIVE WITH IT ON! HE THEN SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY RUST. I WOULDN'T EXPECT REAR BRAKES TO FAIL AT 16,000 MILES. AFTER CHECKING ON-LINE I FOUND IT IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH SONATA. I HAD TO PAY $423.00 TO REPAIR WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *KB
REAR BRAKES FAILED ON 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA... ALSO HAD LOT OF NOISE, GRINDING, WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR BECAUSE FRONT BRAKES DID WORK. TOOK TO GARAGE TO HAVE PADS/ROTORS CHECKED TOLD IT WAS DEALER ISSUE CAR TOO KNEW/LOW MILES. STILL REPLACED ONE ROTOR AND PAD AS TOTALLY GONE. ONE TIRE WOULD NOT ROTATE PROPERLY. WENT TO DEALER - D…
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REAR BRAKES FAILED ON 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA... ALSO HAD LOT OF NOISE, GRINDING, WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR BECAUSE FRONT BRAKES DID WORK. TOOK TO GARAGE TO HAVE PADS/ROTORS CHECKED TOLD IT WAS DEALER ISSUE CAR TOO KNEW/LOW MILES. STILL REPLACED ONE ROTOR AND PAD AS TOTALLY GONE. ONE TIRE WOULD NOT ROTATE PROPERLY. WENT TO DEALER - DEALER FINALLY ADMITTED CALIPER DEFECTIVE ON REAR BRAKES - TOLD CAR NOT DRIVABLE PARTS NOT IN STOCK - DRIVE CAR HOME - WILL CALL WHEN PARTS IN. BRAKES VERY, VERY HOT. REAR BRAKE TURNING ON AND OFF AT WILL. *TR
Official recalls
213V354000 · Suspension:rear
Aug 12, 2013
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Road salt and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.
13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
PE13007 · Rear Control Arm Failure
Opened Mar 25, 2013 · Closed Aug 20, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear
In a letter dated August 9, 2013, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, Inc. (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that Hyundaiis conducting a safety recall (13V-354) involving approximately 239,000 vehicles involving model year (MY) 2006 through 2010 Hyundai Sonata vehicles (approximately 215,000)produced beginning on March 1, 2005 through January 21, 2010 and model year (MY) 2006 through 2011 Hyundai Azera vehicles (approximately 24,000) produced beginning on September 27, 2005 through November 22, 2010 that are registered in and operated or originally sold in the following 20 salt belt states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.Hyundai will also inform dealers to inspect/repair vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere. Hyundai is conducting the recall to remedy a defect involving internal corrosion of the rear sub frame that may lead to separation of the rear upper/lower control arm(s) at their respective mounting points and/or separation of the axle from the transaxle where they meet.This could result in a loss of vehicle control and/or vehicle disablement which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.In response to NHTSA?s Information Request (IR) letter, Hyundai stated the Azera vehicles utilizes the identical cross member and upper/lower rear control arm components as the subject (Sonata) vehicles.In analysis of both Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and consumer complaint data submitted to Hyundai, ODI identified 19 non-duplicative reports alleging excessive corrosion of the rear sub frame. All of the complaint vehicles were either originally sold or registered at the time of the incident in one of the salt belt states.Of these 19 reports, 9 alleged either a suspension component separation or a fracture of the vehicle's rear cross member assembly.Similarly, ODI identified 8 warranty claims of rear sub frame replacement in data submitted by Hyundai due to excessive corrosion, all of which involved vehicles originally sold or operated in a salt belt state. Based on Hyundai's decision to conduct a safety recall, (13V-354) this investigation is closed.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10535115, 10534110, 10525976, 10524726, 10521520, 10508368, 10505463, 10490073, 10486752, 10486435, 1048354, 10473922, and 10437887.
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