Diagsheet

2016 Hyundai Sonata · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

  • 46owner reports
  • 36,000median miles
  • 4involved a crash

Newest report Mar 18, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

46 of the 722 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

Tick what matches of 46 reports

6
3
4
26
3

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (9 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 5,002 and 80,000 miles, from the 26 reports that gave a mileage.

1116
317
319
120
421
422
1123
424
225
326

What owners wrote

“I began braking and the brakes locked up. Braking to the floor and the car would not stop resulting in a car crash”

Filed Feb 10, 2026

“I was driving as normal and twice about 3 min apart from each other my car went into emergency braking and stopped sudden. No red lights no warnings nothing. Also periodically my car dashboard lights will come on while driving filtering through all the hazard checks. Sometimes it stays on and sometimes it don't. Eventually dash goes back normal. Again all with no warning. Very scary”

Filed Oct 20, 2024

“The blind spot detection system needs alignment. When the blind spot detection fails it disables traction control and anti-lock brakes. The parking sensor and backup sensors should have nothing to do with the antilogue brakes or traction control. Since these items are disabled traction does not exist and anti-lock brakes are ineffective.”

Filed Mar 23, 2024

“I just got my car out the shop on April 29th at a Hyundai dealer and on may 2nd was driving on highway my check engine came back on and my speed decreased on its own almost causing a wreck then my car would only go 20mph in a 70 mph zone I have contacted Hyundai they refuse to do anything”

Filed Sep 7, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 4 of 46 reports involved a crash and 4 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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