Problems · by component
2013 Hyundai Sonata service brakes problems
144 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Sonata cite service brakes, 8% of all 1,917 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
144
8% of all complaints
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
What owners say about the service brakes
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal while at a stop light, the vehicle continued rolling forward. Additionally, while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced phantom braking causing the vehicle suddenly decelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local Midas Service Center who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer, and a software update was performed on the braking system; however, shortly after retrieving the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.”
“In 2023, my Hyundai Sonota 2013 hybrid stopped on the freeway putting myself and others at risk. It told me to stop and pull over to a safe spot but everything locked up and I couldn't move it. I had to get a fuse replaced and it cost over $2k. 3 years later, my cars EBrake light has remained on for a few weeks, it will show a battery discharge warning upon starting up sometimes but now I can't even drive it as it displays "check brake and hybrid warning system" alerts appear on the dash display. I've already been terrified for years that this would happen again. This car is absolutely unsafe. It's still under 100k miles and has given me so many problems even though I have taken great care of it. I am taking it to the Hyundai dealership for another diagnostic. The fact that I see so many others online with similar issues leads me to believe that there should be more recalls on this car; moreover, I believe Hyundai purposely designs this models to break down regularly so we can take it to their dealership to be exonerated by their high prices for parts and labor. Hyundai is a con artist company. They do not design their automobiles with the safety of drivers in mind.”
“My 2013 Hyundai Sonata (VIN [XXX]) suffered a driver's airbag clock spring failure, completely disabling the primary restraint safety system. ABS light was on, the horn and all other electronics on the steering wheel were not functioning. All symptoms indicated in the recall This vehicle is explicitly covered under Hyundai Extended Warranty Campaign TXXA/TXXJ for 15 years/unlimited miles. However, Hyundai's validation systems are actively rejecting my VIN and blocking my federal right to a cost-free safety remedy or repair reimbursement. I replaced clock-spring and mechanic suggested i check into the recall. I attached receipt for repairs”
“To Whom It May Concern: I am submitting this complaint to report ongoing safety concerns involving my 2013 Hyundai Sonata. I purchased this vehicle in 2022 through financing and paid it off in 2025. Since acquiring the vehicle, I have experienced persistent mechanical issues that I believe may pose a safety risk to myself, my child, and others on the road. The most concerning issue involves the braking system. I have had the brakes replaced and serviced multiple times, yet the brakes begin grinding again within a very short period, including an instance where the grinding returned approximately one month after replacement. Despite spending money on repairs, the problem continues to reoccur. I am concerned that there may be an underlying defect affecting the braking system that is not being properly identified or corrected through normal maintenance. In addition, the vehicle consumes an excessive amount of oil, requiring frequent monitoring and replacement between oil changes. I am concerned that this issue could potentially lead to engine failure or other dangerous mechanical problems while the vehicle is being operated. As a single mother, I rely on this…”
“I was driving in the evening on 2/7/26. The red brake light came on in the dash and seconds later the car went into limp mode. An alarm went off indicating that the hybrid system was not functioning. The braking performance decreased significantly. The car slowed down immediately and could not exceed 15 mph. My safety was extremely compromised. Luckily i was not on a high speed road or interstate and was able to pull off onto a side road. If i had been on a busier road, I believe that i would have been in an accident. This could have seriously injured myself or others. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The braking pump was replaced and that rectified the problem so far. The old part has been disposed of. The problem was reproduced by the repair facility.”
“The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's son noticed an unusual sound coming from the hood compartment. The contact stated that the sound was as if something was coming through the hood. The contact's son lost control of the vehicle. The contact's vehicle rolled four times before rolling into a ditch. The contact's vehicle caught on fire. The contact's son was still inside the vehicle. The contact's son exited the vehicle. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact's son was transported by a medical helicopter to a local medical facility. The contact's son sustained a punctured left lung, seven broken ribs, a fractured right hip, and additional bruises, minor burns, and bumps. The contact was advised by the insurance company to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. In addition, the contact was informed of an unrepaired recall associated with the VIN, NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V312000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), which the contact…”
Showing 6 of 144 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.