Hyundai Sonata brake problems, 2016–2027
112 of the 2,997 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Sonata 2016–2027 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2016 (55), 2017 (28), 2018 (17). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Sonata brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 17% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 19% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 6 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 17 | 4% | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 28 | 3% | 24k | — | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 55 | 6% | 34k | 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 12 · 2017: 10 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 12 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 19 · 2024: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 11
Across the model years, half of the 65 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 8,000 and 52,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The "Stop Car, Check Brakes" message was displayed. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the warning message "Stop Car, Check Brake" illuminated and the brake pedal felt rigid when depressed. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle.
Vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – 131,700 miles – Maryland registered While driving, my vehicle displayed the warning “Check Hybrid System. Turn off engine.” The dealer diagnosed a failure of the Hydraulic Control Assembly (ABS/Brake Control Unit). This is a safety-critical braking system.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a Kia dealer for oil change and brake fluid flush; however, upon test driving the vehicle after the service, the brake pedal was depressed but went to the floorboard, and the vehicle responded with a significant delay.
Vehicle 1 operating normally in traffic on in Westfield MA. Operator 1 notices alert on dashboard. As Operator 1 looks down briefly and returns eyes immediately to the road, she sees Vehicle 2 braking to slow or stop.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- PE16010 Electronic Parking Brakeopened Sep 3, 2016 · closed Feb 22, 2017
- The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on September 3, 2016 based on four reports alleging the rear brakes locked or applied while driving without brake pedal application. One of the reports alleged a fire in the right rear wheel area. The vehicles subject to the investigation are equipped with an optional Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). In this system, an electric motor app…
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Sonata
Source: the same files- engine problems
- fuel system problems
- electrical problems
- steering problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
Every system, every model year: Hyundai Sonata problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Sonata years have the most brake complaints?
2016, 55; 2017, 28; 2018, 17. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2025 (19%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Hyundai Sonata?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do brake problems show up on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 26,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 8,000 and 52,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.