16 of the
288 complaints about the 2004 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
90,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated her fiance was driving 20-25 MPH on a steep hill with her in the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that her fiance depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop at the stop sign, but the brake pedal went down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's fiance veered to the left and intentionally hit a telephone pole to avoid crashing into a parked vehicle, and to prevent a more severe accident from occurring as the road was significantly steep. The brake warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a seatbelt mark. The contact's fiance was not wearing a seatbelt and hit his head against the windshield. The contact's fiance sustained a concussion, a laceration on the chin, a chipped front left upper tooth and bruises on the bottom teeth. The ambulance transported both the contact and her fiance to the hospital, where they received medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
NHTSA complaint #11557773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin Square, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
I own a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. On 1/19/22, while driving the car, the brakes started failing. I was able to drive the car to my independent mechanic's shop and they repaired the brake issue with a fabrication and installation of the brake line. As my inspection was due, I made an appt with them to bring it back for inspection before the month was over. When I did bring it back however, another mechanic (who apparently had seen underneath the car when they did the brake work) stated that it would never pass inspection as the corrosion was severe. I then made an appt on 2/9 with the dealer who sold me the vehicle. The dealer however stated that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign 09V124000 (Suspension). I believe it should have been included in that recall and that I am entitled to the "Remedy" outlined in the NHTSA recall.
NHTSA complaint #11464039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesFranklin Square, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, she noticed that her brakes were failing. The contact stated that she drove her vehicle to an independent mechanic who attempted to replace the brakes however, the mechanic informed her that her vehicle had a lot of corrosion on the brakes, and underneath the vehicle, which caused the brakes to fail. The contact stated that the mechanic did fabrication and installation of the brake line. The contact stated that she then took her vehicle to be inspected and was informed that the corrosion on the vehicle was too severe and the vehicle would not pass State Inspection. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000
NHTSA complaint #11451154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesMcminnville, OR
SERVICE BRAKES
EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE IT SEEMS TO ACCELERATE FOR A SECOND BEFORE BRAKING. I HAVE DOUBLE CHECKED AND I AM NOT PRESSING THE GAS ON ACCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I START DRIVING (SO GOING UNDER 25 MPH) ON SIDE STREETS IN TOWN. I AM UNSURE OF THE EXACT DATES THIS HAS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #11413869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesPittsburgh, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE LINE AND REAR CYLINDERS WERE CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10732086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesMontgomery Village, MDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL PARKING AREA. IT HAD BEEN BACKED INTO THE SPACE. AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS OCCURRED SO QUICKLY THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. THE VEHICLE HIT A CAR IN THE NEXT ROW OF CARS. BECAUSE OF RAIN, THE CAR THEN SKIDDED 180 DEGREES AND STRUCK TWO CARS IN THE SAME LINE OF CARS FROM WHICH IT HAD DEPARTED. ONLY AT THIS TIME BY TURNING GETTING THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND TURNING THE KEY COULD THE CAR BE STOPPED. THE DRIVER BELIEVES THIS WAS THE RESULT OF EITHER A THE ACCELERATOR STICKING ON ITS OWN OR A THICK RUBBER WINTER MAT SLID UP AND JAMMED THE ACCELERATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10594042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELK Grove, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I CALLED HYUNDAI REGARDING THE BRAKE LAMP RECALL ISSUE IN MY CAR. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE OF MY BRAKE LAMPS. WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE BRAKES THE LAMPS ARE ALWAYS ILLUMINATED IT ONLY GOES OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THIS CAUSES SEVERAL PEOPLE TO MISTAKE IF I AM BRAKING OR NOT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL PEOPLES COMPLAINTS ON THE RECALL WEBSITE, AND ALL OF US ARE TOLD THAT " THE RECALL HAS NOT AFFECTED YOUR CAR" AFTER GIVING THEM THE VIN. WELL I SAY IT IS. I HAVE THE VERY PROBLEM SPOKE OF IN THE RECALL. SECOND THE RECALL DOES NOT SAY THE CAR MUST ALSO BE UNABLE TO COME OUT OF PARK. THERE ARE THREE SEPARATE ISSUES. I WANT THIS CAR LOOKED AT HOW CAN SEVERAL CARS IN DIFFERENT STATES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR????
NHTSA complaint #10567504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBattle Creek, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES
BACKING INTO THE GARAGE, MY FOOT ON BRAKE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO HIGH RPM, THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS, PROPELLING A HEAVY RUBBER MAT ON WHICH THE CAR IS NORMALLY PARKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE THEN IMPACTED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE REAR GARAGE WALL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. I MANAGED TO PRY THE GEAR LEVER OUT OF REVERSE, HIT DRIVE INSTEAD AND SENT THE CAR, WHEELS STILL SPINNING AND LAYING DOWN RUBBER, FORWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE. ON ITS WAY OUT THE CAR SWIPED ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE THE GARAGE DOOR POST BEFORE FINALLY COMING TO A STOP IN THE DRIVEWAY. FINAL RESULT, SERIOUS DAMAGE TO BOTH THE CAR AND THE GARAGE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR IN TRAFFIC OR WITH PEDESTRIANS IN THE AREA. ON-LINE RESEARCH HAS SINCE SHOWN ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS WHERE HYUNDAI SONATAS HAVE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON THEIR OWN. SEE HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/SONATA/CAR-ACCELERATES-ON-ITS-OWN-PROBLEMS.PHP.
NHTSA complaint #10504759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesEL Paso, Texas, TXCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CHAIN REACTION COLLISION ON I-10 INTERSTATE. MY VEHICLE RE-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NEITHER THE DRIVER'S NOR THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT END DAMAGED AND INSURANCE HAS TOTALED MY CAR. BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO STOP WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE.
NHTSA complaint #10500572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesCoatesville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA. AS THE CONTACT APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED; HE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AND MADE A NOISE AS IF PRESSURE HAD LEFT THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #10368401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 milesEffort, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DISC BRAKE PAD SEPARATION RESULTED IN SEVERE ROTOR WEAR AND LOSS OF BRAKES ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. LOW MILEAGE ON VEHICLE, 19K, ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS. REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, OLD PARTS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10275274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,384 milesSyracuse, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A POPPING NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS FOUND THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10153433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,970 milesSeverna Park, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NEAR ACCIDENT REPORT DUE TO A POSSIBLE BRAKE LOCK UP OF THE 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES,THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, MADE A 360 DEGREE TURN AND SKIDDED TO A STOP ON A GRASSY SHOULDER.
NHTSA complaint #10137743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,970 milesSeverna Park, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT: WHILE DRIVING ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2005 ON 1-95 2004 AT 6 MPH THE HYUNDAI SONATA WAS INVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT DUE TO THE BRAKES LOCKING. THE CONSUMER'S WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND HAD DECIDED TO OVERTAKE THE CAR AHEAD. THE CONSUMER MOVED TO THE LEFT LANE AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEED WAS MORE THAN 75 MPH. THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, MADE A 360-DEGREE TURN, SKIDDED, AND MERCIFULLY STOPPED ON THE GRASSY SHOULDER. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT NO CAR BUMPED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DURING THIS EPISODE. THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THOUGHT THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAD BLEW OUT. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE TIRES AND SAW SKID BURNS. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER. THE CONSUMER THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN. ON LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2005 THE CONSUMER CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO THE SALESMAN WHO SOLD THEM THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR. THE CONSUMER TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENED AND HE SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER CALL A HYUNDAI SERVICE OUTLET FOR A SERVICE CHECK-UP APPOINTMENT. THE CONSUMER CALLED BOB BELL HYUNDAI IN GLEN BURNIE FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND THE RECORDING SAID THEY WOULD CALL HIM WITHIN THE HOUR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE BRAKES LOCKED. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN JULY 2005 WHILE DRIVING ON RITCHIE HIGHWAY NEAR PASADENA, MARYLAND AT 60 MPH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE WHITES ROAD INTERSECTION TURNED RED CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES A LITTLE HARD AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I THAT THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED SOMETHING MIGHT BE WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10135663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pulaski, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER 2004, WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 HYUNDAI SONOTA. TRAFFICE WAS HEAVY AND A DRIVER, 3 CARS AHEAD, SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AS ALL THOSE BEHIND HER DID. I HAD AMPLE TIME TO STOP BUT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES REPEATEDLY KEPT TURNING. MY CAR CONTINUED TO HIT THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME AND MY CAR ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB ON THE BACK OF THE OTHER CAR. THE REPETITIVE HITTING OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE BRAKES OF BEEN CHECKED THREE TIMES, THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AT INTERMITTENT TIMES, YET THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO INFORM ME THAT THEIR IS NOTHING ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO ACT UP ON DRY SURFACES STILL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT CANNOT SEEM TO CONVINCE THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS AN ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES GRABBIND AND CONTINUE TO ROTATE. THE IMPACT, FROM THE REPETITIVE HITTING OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CAUSED IT TO BE TOTALED. MY CAR, EVEN AFTER EXTENSIVE FRAME DAMAGE AND SHIFTING OF THE ENTIRE MOTOR CARRIAGE, WAS NOT TOTALLED. IT SHOULD BE ALSO NOTED THAT WHEN THE INSURANCE CARRIER HAD THE CAR DELIVERED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MOTOR REPLACEMENT THAT THEY WERE NOT ADVISED OF BRAKE PROBLEMS. I WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL FOR A CHECKUP AS THE REPETITIVE HITTING CAUSED THE SEATBELT TO CAUSE NUMBNESS IN MY LEFT ARM AND NECK. I WAS TREATED AND RELEASED WITH A PRESCRIPTION FOR MUSCLE RELAXERS FOR A FEW DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10110546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hampton, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BECAME UNATTACHED IN THE COLLISION.*AK THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL BY CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10105121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.