Diagsheet

2015 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

  • 76owner reports
  • 50,000median miles
  • $2,200median quote
  • 11involved a crash

Newest report Aug 16, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

76 of the 1,142 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

Tick what matches of 76 reports

7
6
4
8
40
8

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (13 reports), the pads and rotors (8 reports) and the booster (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the brakes covers the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

14V-368Jun 24, 2014
Do not drive Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured April 25, 2014, through June 16, 2014. Due to a manufacturing error, one or both of the front brake calipers may fracture.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If a brake caliper fractures, brake effectiveness would be reduced, lengthening to distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai contacted the affected owners on June 19, 2014 and instructed them not to drive their vehicles. Hyundai dealers will replace the affected brake calipers, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 120.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Sonata

PE16-010opened Sep 3, 2016
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2016

Electronic parking brake. Closed feb 22, 2017.

NHTSA summary
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 applies the parking brake by moving the rear brake pads (pads) against the brake rotors (rotors) when activated by the EPB control switch. The EPB is released by the control switch or by selecting a drive gear with the transmission shifter when the ignition is on.If the EPB has not been used within 1000 kilometers (621 miles) the system is designed to perform an Automatic Adjustment Function (AAF) of the pads to check for proper clearance. This function is a pad adjustment only and is preformed with the vehicle in park with the ignition off. It does not set the parking brake or turn the brake indicator light on. Hyundai has identified an error within the EPB control logic that can cause the pads to remain in contact with the rotors at various levels of force after the AAF is completed. This condition could cause the rear brakes to drag at the next drive cycle and may generate some levels of heat and smoke. The EPB control logic error affects model year 2016 vehicles produced from the start of production through March 16, 2016.Vehicles produced from March 17, 2016 incorporate an updated E

None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.

What owners paid

5 of the 76 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $2,500.

$500$2,200$2,500
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 17,500 and 67,000 miles, from the 47 reports that gave a mileage.

715
816
517
618
1019
420
321
522
923
1024
525
426

What owners wrote

“At 40,000 miles the transmission is already jerking, shifting hard into gear and downshifting hard .”

Filed Jul 4, 2024 · 40,000 miles

“Car was going approximately 50 miles an hour on a side street when warning lights went on, brakes stopped working, and the engine smoked and appeared to catch on fire. Car was steered into a parking lot and abruptly placed in park. Occupant grabbed valuables and quickly exited the vehicle. At that point, the front of the vehicle, under the hood went up in flames.”

Filed Feb 9, 2024

“My hydraulic brake booster went out, Very dangerous i almost had an accident, the car doesn’t stop, there are no brakes the car would not stop I’f the hydraulic brake booster goes out you have no brakes and if you’re over 50 miles an hour the E break barely does anything it just sounds like you grinding into the ground. Very scary and I had a child in the car. Towed car to Hyundai.”

Filed Nov 14, 2023

“Trying to break after being hit to prevent hitting another driver . Ended up hitting the driver still and my car ended up catching on fire .”

Filed Sep 29, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 11 of 76 reports involved a crash and 7 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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