I bought my car used and noticed that it needs rear pads. While checking the car maintenance history found that the previous owner replaced the rear pads and rotors twice and the calipers once and I need now to replace again the rotors and pads so it will be the third time. While the front pads and rotors once was changed once and they still look good.

I replaced the rear pads and rotors myself. Rear passenger side was worn and driver side was good. While changing pads on passenger side I couldn't push the pads in place at all. I had to file the ears of the pads and also the caliper bracket. After installing them I get a little smoke and the rotor warms up. Seems that I need to service that side again and file a little more of the ears and brackets.

I found that all Sonatas have the same problem and people keep replacing pads and rotors. Seems it is a design manufacturing problem with the caliper bracket. You will need to file the ears of the pads and the bracket to overcome the problem. Some people mentioned that this problem is fixed with the new replacement parts available in market now.

Hyundai Should take a step forward to fix the problem.

I had a second Sonata bought 2009, I remember my first a 2002 also had rear brake wear t 60,000 so, after repair, problem returned !

So I figured at 42,000 there shouldn't be too much of a problem, had fluid flush new fluid added, and rear rotors had to be replaced at 42k mostly RURAL driving. 24 HRS later same problem, spongy brake pedal, and noise when first starting. Called the repair shop, told me I must have a brake line leak. Now would that not show up when you bled the brake fluid ? Going back to this place-Firestone- so I'll see what bs I have to deal with. Then I'll get a second opinion at an independent shop.

Car returned to dealer where purchased at 16 months due to grinding noise from wheels. Replaced pads and turned rotors. Dealer and Hyundai Motor America states this is normal wear and not covered under warranty. Mileage at 22K. Had brakes serviced by dealer in 2012 and again in 2013 due to grinding noise. In June 2014, dealer reported that both front and rear bakes failed. Replaced with new rotors and pads. Again not covered by warranty. In December 2014, took car back to dealer due to a burning smell. Dealer indicated the right rear caliper seized. Replaced caliper and pads. In January 2015, left rear caliper seized, destroying the 6 month old rotor. Replaced by dealer.

Contacted Hyundai Motor America who stated, "Our records indicate that there is not a known concern with the characteristic that you have described" in a letter dated 1/22/2015. Verbal followup by Hyundai Motor America design defects are not covered under Hyundai warranty. Hyundai Motor America rejected request for partial compensation.

I bought two Sonatas at the same time. One for me and one for my wife. This brake problem is the only one I have had with the car. Overall we have been satisfied with these vehicles. That being said, this is a big problem. The brakes lock up and start getting a burning smell. It has gotten so hot before that I have actually burned myself on the rim of the car (not the brakes, the rim). That is not normal. At first, the dealership chalked it up to the Ohio salt in the winter causing an oxidation build-up which I thought was strange since it was July when I took it in. I paid to have the brakes cleaned and lubed only to have the problem to happen again about five months later. We have had the same problem with both of the cars over and over again and also had this problem with a Sante Fe that we leased before purchasing the Sonatas.

I have been working on cars since I was 12 years old. My father was a mechanic and owned his own shop and was ASE certified. My brother is also an ASE certified mechanic. I have a pretty good idea what I am doing on things like brakes. I have rebuilt and replaced multiple motors and transmissions as well as completely rebuilding an entire brake system on a vehicle. I am also very willing to know when I am beyond my abilities and am happy to take a vehicle in to get service when I don't know what I am doing. I am pretty sure I am capable of doing something like replacing brake pads and rotors. I have never owned a car where I have experienced this problem this frequently.

I have replaced the brake pads on the rear twice per year on these cars due to the caliper sticking and wearing them out. One time I replaced the pads, cleaned and lightly lubed the moving parts as i did every other time. The very next day the ceramic pads that I bought for it were smoking. I complained to the dealership and we set up an appointment. I took the car in and told them the caliper was sticking. They looked at it and conceded that the caliper was indeed sticking and it was covered under warrantee. Then they proceeded to tell me that it was going to cost me close to $200 dollars to have the work done. You see, the brake pads, that I had just replaced, and the rotors, that I just replaced, were destroyed and needed replaced and were not covered. I called the local parts store right in front of the service person and got the price for the parts. People, don't let them fool you, many of the parts the dealers put on your car are bought from Advanced Auto parts and Autozone. Dealerships are their best customers. The parts could be purchase from Advanced auto parts for $80 dollars. Additionally, I asked to see the parts that "needed replaced" and suddenly started to get a sidestep by the service department. All of a suddenly the story changed. The parts that I had just replaced were now just "damaged" and it was just their recommendation that they get replaced. I requested that they put the "old damaged" parts back on. I have not had another problem with that car since then. It has been about 30,000 miles. Now the other side is doing the same thing. Since I am now out of warantee I was going to replace it myself. Now the part is not available from Advanced Auto and some of the other places will take a week or so to get them and they will cost me $65 plus a $47 core charge.

I am NOT happy about this and if Hyundai does not get this problem figured out I will not be purchasing another Hyundai...ever.

Replaced brake pads and rotary June 2012. August started making same loud grinding and scrubbing sound once again replaced pads and rotars.This has happened every two months since I have spent a small fortune on brake pads and rotary's in Feb. the mechanic called Hyundai they informed him the pads had to be grinded down to fit, so that's what he did and this time he also replaced the brake cylinder (don't know if spelled correctly) This time it actually lasted 2 1/2 months this time I called Hyundai service dept. they informed me this was a common problem only brake pads from Hyandai could be used no other would work and had to be grinded down.he informed me he could fix problem for $187.00 came picked up vehicle. then called me back to tell me the rotary's,cylinder and pads would need replaced it would cost over $400.00 well I couldn't afford the repairs that day when he returned my vehicle he then told me Hyundai pads did not have to be used so here is my question is there really a answer to this problem or not can my vehicle actually be fixed or will I have to replace pads,rotary's and cylinder every two months I don't think I will ever buy another Hyundai. and what really makes me so upset I paid cash for this stupid vehicle so I wouldn't have a car payment well guess what I do every 2 months instead of every month!!!

Rear brakes needed replacement at 20,000 miles. They were replaced by the dealer for $130. A year later at 40,000 miles severe rear wheel vibration ocurred, could not be duplicated by dealer and not remedied. Investigated issue on-line and discovered that a sticking caliper was cause for vibration. Called dealer and was told to try to fix myself by freeing the caliper. Did that and it worked for a month. Brakes were in poor condition . Replaced caliper and new pads . Found that pads did not move freely because of improperly machined housings. Cleared interferences and reinstalled brakes, resolved issue. Contacted Hyundai for reimbursement and after 10 emails Customer Service said ''they dont recognize that this year and 2008 cars have a premature rear brake problem and will not do anything''; Buyer beware, I like the car but will never recommend or buy another Hyundai, and all for $85. Have the extended warranty which meant nothing. Waiting for a forced recall, unfortunately someone may get injured by failing rear brakes.

Update from Mar 2, 2015: Car now has 50,000 miles. Modified caliper still working well but now rear driver side vibrating when heated. When cold( sub zero) works well. Have bought new caliper from Autozone and will change out when the weather gets warmer.

Update from Mar 25, 2016: March 24, 2016- 13,000 and 3 1/2 years after I replaced the rear passenger caliper it froze up. This time it is covered by AutoZone lifetime and they replaced it , no questions. Had to put new pads on since I burned the stuck caliper side . Interesting thing though Autozone changed the part number to a different one from the one 3.5 years ago. So it looks like the life of these calipers is 3-4 years and 15-20k miles. Will continue to do business with Autozone for obvious reasons. Total cost to replace 2 rear pads and caliper $35 and 1 hour.