26 of the
407 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Sonata are about the
braking system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
29,383 miles.
I HAVE A HYUNDAI SONATA. ITS 2002 WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME IT GAVE ME TROUBLE, IT WAS MAKING A GRINDING SOUND WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THE MECHANIC CHANGED MY CALIBER ON ONE SIDE OF THE CAR AND REPLACED MY HOSES. NEXT MONTH SAME SOUND STARTED AGAIN. MY MECHANIC CHANGED THE OTHER CALIBER. SIX MONTHS LATER. I STARTED HEARING THAT SAME SOUND AND THE BRAKES STARTED LOCKING. THE MECHANIC DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. TWO WEEKS LATER, I LOST MY BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC.I WAS TOLD I DAMAGED THE MASTER CYLINDER. HE PUT ALL NEW PARTS IN MY CAR (BRAKE SHOES,PADS, CALIBERS, MASTER CYLINDER, ETC.) AND TESTED IT. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING ON I-10, IT STARTED LOCKING UP AGAIN. IT HAS BAFFLED MY MECHANIC. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500.00 ON REPAIRS OF THESE BRAKES,NOT TO MENTION THE RENTAL FEES OF CARS FOR TRANSPORTATION. THERE MUST BE AN ANSWER TO WHAT IS CAUSING MY BRAKES TO NO FUNCTION PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #11019523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesLongwood, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LIGHTS DOES NOT GO OFF. BEEN REPAIRED BY HYUNDIA DEALERSHIP AND STILL DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10783074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 212,292 milesBloomington, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS GOING STRAIGHT ON A LITTLE STREET WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES... I FELT THE BRAKE PAD MOVE OUT OF PLACE... AND COULDN'T BRAKE SO I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP... BUT STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO...?
NHTSA complaint #10631804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesWatchung, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
WE HAD OUR VEHICLE WARRANTIED FOR THE ROTTEN FRAME ON OUR VEHICLE LAST YEAR. AT THAT POINT YOU WOULD THINK HYUNDAI WOULD HAVE WARNED US THAT OUR BRAKE LINES WERE SWISS CHEESE JUST LIKE OUR FRAME, THESE CARS ROT OUT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP. THE BRAKE LINES BROKE 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS AFTER SECTIONS WERE ALREADY REPLACED. THESE VEHICLES NEED ALL THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES REPLACED IMMEDIATELY!!! THIS IS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!! THE POWER STEERING LINE ROTTED OUT 5 YEARS AGO, THIS CAR WAS MADE OUT OF REALLY CRAPPY METAL. DANGEROUS VEHICLE. EVERYTHING ON THIS VEHICLE IS ROTTED OUT BEYOND WHAT IS NORMAL, THE WHEELS, THE BRAKE DRUMS, EVERYTHING ON THESE VEHICLES ROT TO THE POINT OF SWISS CHEESE. AFTER 10 YEARS THESE VEHICLES ARE VERY UNSAFE. OUR VEHICLE ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10559728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesKaty, TXFire
SERVICE BRAKES
ALL THREE REAR BRAKES LIGHTS ON WHEN IGNITION IS SHUT OFF AND SMELL ELECTRICAL WIRE BURN. EVERY DAY NEED TO REMOVE NEGATIVE TERMINAL FROM BATTERY TO SHUT OFF THE THREE REAR BRAKES LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10475692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,500 milesWaukegan, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE LINES FROM ENGINE TO THE BACK OF THE CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE ONE OF THE ATTACHMENTS (HOLDING THE BRAKE LINES IN PLACE UNDERNEATH THE CAR) GOT RUSTED AND CORROSION. THEN IT CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO GET RUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK PRETTY BAD. IS IT NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE LINES TO GET RUSTED?? SHOULD I REPORT TO HYUNDAI? THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WENT EMPTY SO QUICKLY AND I FOUND THE LEAKING SPOT. IT SQUIRTS PRETTY BAD WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE LEAKING SPOT IS UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHERE THE BACK SEATS ARE LOCATED. I NEED SOME ADVISE BEFORE I START DOING SOMETHING. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10448546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,143 milesSouth Lancaster, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. UPON APPROACHING AN EXIT I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND CONSEQUENTLY I ENGAGED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO ACCIDENT ENSURED AS A RESULT. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE. REPAIRS CONSISTED OF A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKES LINES SINCE THEY WERE ALL RUSTED AND CORRODED. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT ALL THE POWER STEERING LINES REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM CURRENTLY REQUIRES REPLACEMENT DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION (SYSTEM IS LEAKING).
NHTSA complaint #10354625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,323 milesDIX Hills, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS WE HAVE TWO 2002 HYUNDAI SONATAS, MODEL GLS 6 CYLINDER. BOTH CARS HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ROTORS WARPING AND HAVING DIFFICULTY BRAKING TO AN EMERGENCY STOP. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS ON EACH VEHICLE ONCE, AND WITHIN AN 18 MONTH PERIOD, THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #10142489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Titusville, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA LX. THE BRAKE LINE WAS ATTACHED TO WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ATTACHED AND IT RUBBED AGAINST THE CV BOOT, CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE AND THE CV BOOT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT BROUGHT CAR LAST OCTOBER TO DEALER BECAUSE THE CV BOOT FAILED AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, THE BRAKE LINE AND THE CV BOOT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A GARAGE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT LOOKED AS IF THE BRAKE LINE CAME LOOSE FROM WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE, AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE WITH A TEMPORARY ONE IN ORDER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DELAER CLAIMED THAT WHOEVERR REPLACED IT INSTALLED IN IMPROPERLY. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CV BOOT. SHE REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE OUT OF POCKET. HER HUSBAND FELT THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE BRAKE LINE WAS SECURELY FASTENED EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE FAILURE. TWO BOOTS AND ONE BRAKE LINE WERE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10132485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Louis, MOCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: CALLER GOT INTO CAR, PULLED IT OUT OF GARAGE AND GOT OUT OF IT. WHEN SHE GOT BACK INTO VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN GEAR IT MADE A SCREAMING NOISE AND ACCELERATED. SHE HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BY GOING UP A HILL INSTEAD VEHICLE HIT A HOUSE THREE DOORS AWAY. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INSURANCE CLAIMED THAT DEALER SAID THERE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.
NHTSA complaint #10124454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,624 milesLake Elsinore, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT: ROTORS HAVE GONE BAD. THE BRAKES PUMP BACK WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED.*AK THE DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS AT 13624 MILES AND WITHIN 1000 MILES THE ROTORS WARPED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER INDICATED THAT EH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10122570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,444 milesTrumbull, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DURING INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF CORRODED FRONT/REAR BRAKE ROTORS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10111202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boyne City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED A DRUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD IN THE REAR. THE NEXT OCCURRENCE A DRUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD WITH A GRINDING SOUND. *TC THE WAS A LOT OF CORROSION AND DIRT COLLECTED ON THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY DUE TO SALT AND SAND APPLIED TO THE ROADS IN THE WINTER. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10103949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,500 milesBoyne City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON HYUNDAI SONATA.*MR WHILE BRAKING THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FRONT HE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. OVER TIME THE NOISE PROGRESSED INTO A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT 19400 MILES AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE CORRODED AND DIRTY SURFACES THAT THE BRAKE PAD HOLDER RESTED ON. THIS SURFACE IS HORIZONTAL AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE SURFACE TO DRAIN OR CLEAN ITSELF. THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $160. FOR THE LABORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT HAVING THE BRAKE REPLACED AT 19000 MILES IS UNREASONABLE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10089364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Center Valley, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
HYUNDAI SONOTA 2002 HAD FRONT ROTORS REPLACED AT 10,500 MILES DUE TO WARPING. FRONT PADS WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. AT 43,500, WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP ALL 4 ROTORS WERE WARPED DURING STATE INSPECTION. SO, ONLY 33,000 MILES ON NEW FRONT ROTORS. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (VIRTIUALLY NEW). THIS DOCUMENTED ON THE CARS STATE INSPECTION REPORT DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED LOCAL HYUNDAI REP WHO REFUSED TO REPLACE ROTORS. REASON, EXCESSIVE BRAKING BY DRIVER SO NOT FAULTY MATERIALS FROM HYUNDAI. TWO REPORTS DON'T COINCIDE. EXCESSIVE BRAKING AND EXCELLENT BRAKE PASDS. LOCAL REP DID NOT COME INTO DEALERSHIP TO VIEW CONDITION OF CAR OR DO ANY INVESTIGATING INTO POTENTIAL FAULTY MANUFACTURING MATERIALS. OWNER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS. CREDIT THE DEALERSHIP FOR COMPLIMENTARY CUTTING OF ROTORS BUT HISTORY SHOWS ROTORS WILL WARP AGAIN AFTER CUTTING.
NHTSA complaint #10072686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesBakersfield, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CAR MAKES A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE BRAKES, AND SAYS THEY ARE AT 90%. DEALER HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE OF THE SCREECHING SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10054492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN MOVING CONSUMER FOOT OFF BRAKE PEDAL IT WOULD PULSATE. DRIVER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10040724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesNorth Warren, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2002 HYUNDAI,SONATA HAS 28,000 MILES. HAVE HAD TO HAVE ROTORS REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE 11000 MILES. CAR SHAKES AFTER ROTORS HAVE BEEN ON CAR FOR ABOUT 4 OR 5 THOUSAND MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10036673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,918 milesKansas City, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
ON COLD MORNINGS WHERE THE TEMPERATURE WOULD DROP BELOW 30, I WAS EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF BRAKE ABILITY. THIS WOULD ONLY HAPPEN THE FIRST TIME I DROVE THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND ALWAYS ON THE SECOND OR THIRD TAP OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WENT TO MY DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 AND THEY DRAINED THE BRAKE LINE AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. IT WAS NOT AND I HAD TO GO BACK. THIS LAST TIME I COULD NOT STOP IN TRAFFIC AND HAD TO ROLL THRU A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD ACTUALLY FREEZE UP OR LOCK IN THE "UP" POSITION IN THE CAR, THEREFORE NOT ALLOWING ME TO PRESS DOWN TO STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD WORK. MY DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A WEEK BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT THIS SECOND TIME. I BELIEVE HE SAID IT WAS A DEFECT IN A SPECIFIC PART. HE TOLD ME "BOOSTER VACUUM LINE CHECK VALVE FROZEN SHUT" AND HE REPLACED THE BOOSTER HOSE. IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, I AM CONCERNED OTHER SONATA OWNERS MAY EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AND I FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS TO YOUR AGENCY.
NHTSA complaint #10016836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaverton, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A SQUEAKING AND LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
NHTSA complaint #8024142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newpsport News, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
INTERMITTENLEY WHILE APPLYING BRAKES FROM A STOP POSITION THE VEHICLE CONTINUE ON BEFORE STOPPPING. DEALER INFORMED THAT AIR HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE LINE. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTLY WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AT A STOP POSITION CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL. DEALER INFORMED THAT AIR HAD TO BE REMOVED FROME BRAKE LINE. PROVIDE FUTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA complaint #8023454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prairie Grove, AR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
THE BRAKES MAKE AN EXTREMELY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND, MAINLY WHEN BREAKING. IT IS LOUD ENOUGH TO ATTRACT QUITE A BIT OF ATTENTION. IT SCARES PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES. IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO THE WARNING SOUND MADE BY WORN BRAKES. WE HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE GLAZED OUR BRAKES AND REPLACED OUR BRAKE PADS AND THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED. THEY ADVISED US THAT ALL HYUNDAIS DO THIS BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON THE CONTENT OF BRAKE PADS. I'VE ALSO CALLED THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE AND THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED- THEY CAN'T BE SAFE. IT IS VERY STRESSFUL DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH BRAKES THAT SOUND LIKE THEY COULD QUIT AT ANY TIME. MR
NHTSA complaint #768047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH FRONT VIBRATION. *MR THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN U-BOLT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE FROM FRONT END WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FRONT LEFT AXLE FAILURE, WHICH WAS REPLACED. BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAK AND PULSATE, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8020325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alamogordo, NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #566653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marion, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES SQUEAL VERY LOUD EVERY TIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, DEALER CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8014233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.