2008 Hyundai Sonata Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 13%of 425 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,001miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, 13% of the 425 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,001 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Last week we noticed that the ESC off light was on. Tonight on 5/24/2012 we noticed that the brake lights were not working. I had to just barely plug in the brake light switch wire for the brake lights to work again. This was a problem with earlier sonatas the recall was NHTSA action number: pe09003. My 2008 exhibited the same problems with the ESC light and the brake lights.”
NHTSA complaint #10459603, filed 2012-05, 105,922 miles“I am driving a 2008 Hyundai Sonata and had my rear brakes deteriorate to nothing with out any warning. They were to the point where it was metal to metal and I had to replace my brakes and my rotors. The scary part was that the sounds metal to metal were not constant so if you did not know better you might debate on what the problem was.”
NHTSA complaint #10310703, filed 2010-02, 31,000 miles“Today my ABS light went on and the brakes became rock hard could not press down on them. Then I parked the car checked all fluids and belts, turned the car on again the ABS light turned off. Started to drive tried accelerating from 25mph to 30mph then ESC light went on locked my brakes tried driving to park in a safe place as soon as I parked the car and turned it off a bad smell and lots of smoke came out of my front tires and rear tires. Got car towed breaks are ok my mechanic pressed the ESC button off and now breaks are soft. …”
NHTSA complaint #11244305, filed 2019-08, 130,789 miles“The front driver side door handle has came off and so has the passenger side. The inside door handle on the driver side has came off and the driver side door is totally inoperable. This s a total safety hazard in the event of an emergency, a car crash god forbid or even the car catching fire. Getting to safety would be very difficult. I cant afford to continuing fixing an issue that is defected to begin with. The brake lights doesn't illuminate all time when engaged and my air bag lights are on and my car sways in the back due to the control arm being rusted”
NHTSA complaint #11383271, filed 2020-12, 150,000 miles“Grinding noise on rear driver's side brakes--discovered missing bolt on caliper frame, brake pads badly worn. All other brake pads in great shape, showing little wear. Car is driven in rural area, with very little city driving. When I went to Hyundai to buy a new bolt the parts guy said this happens all the time I think there must be something wrong here. Also checked on line finding I'm not the only one having brake problems on the rear wheels.”
NHTSA complaint #10538401, filed 2013-09, 43,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 2007–2011, Tucson 2006–2011, Santa FE 2007–2011 +9 more
Related service bulletins
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
- 10040957May 1, 2011Hyundai: all sonata hybrids. Brake bleeding procedure.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 35% |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 4 | 5% |
| 2022 | 6 | 6% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2018 | 17 | 5% |
| 2017 | 22 | 3% |
| 2016 | 47 | 6% |
| 2015 | 80 | 7% |
| 2014 | 60 | 8% |
| 2013 | 149 | 8% |
| 2012 | 158 | 10% |
| 2011 | 175 | 5% |
| 2010 | 30 | 9% |
| 2009 | 98 | 21% |
| 2008 | 55 | 13% |
| 2007 | 103 | 15% |
| 2006 | 85 | 8% |
| 2005 | 12 | 7% |
| 2004 | 16 | 8% |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% |
| 2002 | 26 | 8% |
| 2001 | 24 | 12% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 3 | 6% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 3 | 13% |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% |
| 1993 | 2 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata
137 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
96 complaintsEngine
48 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsElectronic stability control
30 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsExterior lighting
20 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsSuspension
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology