At the shop, Hyundai brake issues have a recognizable signature. 3,266 documented complaints across 130 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 1 fatality report on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Hyundai vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 1,195 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 58,743 miles. Repair cost runs around $450 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Pulsing, grinding, soft pedal — none of those should sit more than a week. Brake problems compound fast on a vehicle already on the list.
ProblemsByVin HYUNDAI / BRAKES
130 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Hyundai brakes problems
3,266 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Hyundai vehicles for brakes issues. 73 active recall campaigns. See brakes across all makes →
Complaints
3,266
Recalls
73
Year-models
130
Avg fix
$450
202crashes
105fires
102injuries
1fatality
Worst-affected Hyundai model-years for brakes Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2013 Hyundai Elantra
194 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$450 severe
2024 Hyundai Palisade
190 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2009 Hyundai Genesis
106 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 moderate
2019 Hyundai Tucson
102 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2012 Hyundai Sonata
80 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2007 Hyundai Sonata
80 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2009 Hyundai Sonata
76 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2025 Hyundai Palisade
75 complaints · ~$450 severe
2011 Hyundai Sonata
72 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2013 Hyundai Sonata
71 complaints · ~$450 severe
2023 Hyundai Palisade
66 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 moderate
2014 Hyundai Elantra
63 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$450 severe
2012 Hyundai Elantra
59 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2015 Hyundai Tucson
57 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2006 Hyundai Sonata
53 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2014 Hyundai Tucson
52 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 moderate
2012 Hyundai Genesis
50 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 moderate
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
50 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
48 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 moderate
2008 Hyundai Sonata
47 complaints · ~$450 moderate
2015 Hyundai Elantra
45 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
44 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$450 severe
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe
44 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
43 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
43 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe
Active recalls — Hyundai brakes 12 on file
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 "N" vehicles equipped with left-foot braking (LFB) and N e-shift features
Reduced braking performance and unexpected, continued acceleration increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use the LFB or N e-Shift features until the remedy has been performed. The IEB and VCU software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 25V-065. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 277.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 "N" vehicles equipped with a left-foot braking (LFB) feature
Reduced braking performance can increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners who have not received the recall remedy are advised not to use the LFB feature until the updated remedy has been performed. Additionally, owners who have received the recall remedy are advised not to use the 'N' E-shift feature until the updated remedy has been performed. Dealers will update the IEB and VCU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V-235. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 275.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023 Palisade vehicles
A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 245.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 237. This recall is an expansion of recall 22V-056.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Accent vehicles
Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 213.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Palisade vehicles
Reduced braking performance can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, and flush the brake fluid, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 212.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles
An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-520. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 205.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles
Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the IEB software, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 199.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles
If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. Note: This recall has been superseded by NHTSA Recall 21V-303 and all affected vehicles will now be repaired under 21V-303. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 194.
Common questions
How many Hyundai brakes complaints are on file with NHTSA?
3,266 complaints across 130 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 73 active recall campaigns cover brakes issues across the Hyundai lineup.
Which Hyundai model has the most brakes complaints?
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra leads with 194 complaints in this category. Next: 2024 Palisade (190) and 2009 Genesis (106).
What does it cost to fix Hyundai brakes problems?
Independent shops average $450 for brakes repairs across the Hyundai lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Hyundai brakes recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover brakes on Hyundai vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Hyundai.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.