2009 Hyundai Sonata. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle brakes recall notice. The consumer asked the dealer why had he not been notified of the recall, and the dealer replied, that Colorado was not one of the states included. It only covered the East coast, because of the harsh winters and salt used on their highways. The consumer stated on several occasions, he had to take the vehicle to the dealer, to have the brakes replaced.

- Parker, CO, USA

The rear brakes on the Sonata are not releasing fully causing excess wear, brake noise and premature replacement. I bought the car with appx 20K miles on it so I don't know if the rear brakes were replaced before purchase. For me the first replacement came at 31,514 miles, the second about 18,000 miles after that (49,465) and once again about 1500 miles later at 50,973. Hyundai does not recognize this as a problem and refuses to replace them under warranty. Any brake pad/rotor system that fails at an average of 20K needs to be recalled.

- Racine, WI, USA

The brake lights do not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed. The gear shift not able to be shifted out of the park position. The electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light illuminates. Very similar to recall for same model on another year (2006).

- Herndon, VA, USA

Rear brakes are worn out at 19,7000 miles the calipers are worn out and my front brakes are perfect.. front brakes usually wear out before rear brakes what is going on... this should never happen giving us low gas mileage these faulty calipers Hyundai should pay this could result in a crash due to a faulty brake system.

- Georges Mills, NH, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a squeaking noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, who performed an inspection. The contact was informed that the rear brakes were prematurely worn due to defective calipers. The brake pads and rotors were replaced. The mechanic repaired the calipers until they were in working condition. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 26,700. The consumer was informed the rear pads and rotors were completely worn due to rust on the rotors even though the front brakes were in good condition. Updated 06/04/12

- Lake Hopatcong , NJ, USA

I was told by the dealer on 3/6/12, that the rear brakes were seizing up and that I would need new rotors due to extreme rust and new pads after only 16,500 miles.

- Des Plaines, IL, USA

The right rear brake pad was worn down paper thin while the other rear pads were only 30% worn. Upon further inspection, I found the pad was stuck to the pad mount/anchor. It was so stuck I had to remove the whole caliper and hammer the old pad out. When I explained my situation to the dealer, they said it was a common problem and that I should bring my car in every 15000 miles to inspect and lube my brakes. I explained to them that the owner's manual says nothing about disassembling and re-lubing my brakes every 15000 miles. I also commented on how unrealistic it is for every Sonata to need a brake lube every 15000 miles. The service representative blew off my concerns. I'm sure the dealership would love to sell everyone a brake lube every 15000 miles, but that's ridiculous, especially for a safety item such as brakes. This safety issue needs to be addressed.

- Fridley, MN, USA

My 2009 Sonata has 44000 miles and the rear brakes are grinding. They need to be replaced but the front brakes look brand new. I have been working on cars for over 40 years and have never seen or heard of anything like this before. Rear brakes just don't wear out faster than the front ones. I have an appointment tomorrow at the dealer but they told me it is not a covered item but a wear item. There is a problem with the calipers sticking and causing the brakes to wear out. Routine maintenance would have taken care of the problem. What routine are they talking about? it is not on the recommended list at any mileage in my owners manual. Thanks god it is only something like brakes and not something important like the radio going out. Sarcasm is how I deal with stress.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- N Las Vegas, NV, USA

Rear brakes: Rubbing, grinding, premature wear and reduced breaking effectiveness. Replacement of rear rotors and pads were required replacement to pass safety inspection. Dealer informed me that the calipers were not seized or sticking but that dried out lubrication on slides, pins, shims was the cause of the wear.

- Vestal, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the brakes would emit a grinding noise whenever they were applied. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on several occasions where the brakes and calipers were replaced; however, the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Floresville, TX, USA

I have a 2009 Hyundai Sonata that started making noises when braking at about 18000 miles. The first time I was told it was the rotors and I paid to have those turned(?). the noise went away for a couple of weeks. The next time I was told it was debris on the brake pads.(really?) the noise again went away for a week or two. Next I was told the calipers needed to be adjusted. Again, a couple of weeks till I heard the noise again. The next repair was new front pads that my dealership got approved from Hyundai warranty. Again no noise for a couple of weeks. Now, at 36000 miles I need rear brakes.in between the times my car was repaired, I also took it to the dealership at least 6 times when they either could not hear a noise or could not find the noise. I live in Florida, no salt on the roads. Most of my miles are highway miles. I have never had a car need rear brakes before 100,000 miles, even in Connecticut. I have looked up Hyundai brake problems online and found numerous complaints about the brakes. This should be made a safety issue, not a maintenance issue.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Brake caliper failure. Right rear brake caliper locked up when slowing. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that all of the brake calipers had significant and premature corrosion which is causing the brakes to stick and the vehicle is not safe to drive. He also suggested that the car be taken to the dealer for service because based on his research the brakes on this model vehicle were likely defective from the factory and he wouldn't be able to fix them properly using factory or aftermarket replacement parts. He speculated that since the dealers have been inundated with this problem, they may have some installation tricks using the defective Hyundai calipers. The independent mechanic then spoke with a Hyundai dealer service rep and they stated that "this is common in areas where road salt is used, even for Sonatas with lower miles and the best they could do was to clean the calipers." I'm bringing the Sonata to the dealer on Saturday, August 27 for repair but I don't feel safe in this vehicle based on the discussion with the dealer.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

I have a 2009 Hyundai Sonata and a grinding noise started coming from the back passenger side while I was driving the car. I took it to the Hyundai dealer and they said my brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. I purchased the car used, a little over a year ago, from the dealer with about 13,000 miles. It now has 37,000 miles, the majority being highway miles. I took my car to another car repair shop because the price I was quoted from the dealer seemed unreasonably high. The place I took my car to told me that while inspecting the car they noticed that the passenger side caliber was stuck and that they were able to unstick it. The mechanic said he would need to replace the passenger side rotor and the brake pads. He said I should think about replacing the calipers. I asked why they would go bad this soon. He said it could be a defect, that there has been a defect reported with the Hyundai Santa Fe calipers. I asked him if this is something that should be covered under my car warranty. He said I should check with the dealer. From everything I've read on the internet the calipers should not go bad this soon. If they do, they cause the very problems I am having. I contacted the dealer and told him what the other mechanic found in regard to the caliper. He told me there was nothing wrong with the caliper when they looked at it. The funny thing is that the price the dealer quoted me to repair just my brakes and rotors is the same price the other mechanic quoted me to repair the rotor, brakes and calipers. I am having just the brakes and rotors done at this time since according to the dealer there is no problem with the calipers. If they are not telling me the truth, I will be having this brake problem again.

- Aurora, IL, USA

I have a 2009 Hyundai Sonata with 45000 miles on it. The first time I replaced the pads in the rear at 10,000 miles. I have replaced the rear brake pads an additional 3 times and the front pads only once. I have been a mechanic and automotive technology instructor for over 45 years an never had a vehicle wear out rear brakes faster than the front ones without something major wrong with the system. I have checked the calipers and they are not dragging the pads against the rotors. The first time I reported the problem to the service manager he said this was normal, I don't think so!

- East Meadow, NY, USA

As I was driving in city traffic, I noticed a grinding noise coming from the rear as I applied the brakes. It became worse as I continued to drive and brake, so I parked the car as soon as I could. I brought it into the dealer. They said the rear brake pads were completely worn away. They said I needed new rear brake pads and rotors, because the rotors had become too damaged to use. I had the Hyundai service department replace the rear brake pads and rotors. There was no indication (I.e. a typical "squeal") that would have alerted me to wear on my brake pads. They were simply gone. I have serious concerns about this incident, as brake failure could have occurred had I not stopped driving and gotten my car to the service department as soon as possible. 38,000 miles is far too early for rear brake pads to be completely worn away. I do not know of any other vehicle where the rear brake pads would have completely worn away at such low mileage. I suspect a manufacturing defect has led to premature rear brake wear. This could have led to a serious accident.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

I own a 2009 Hyundai Sonata limited edition. I bought it on April 8, 2010 and it had 21K at the time of purchase. On July 17, 2011, (now at 47K miles) I noticed a squealing noise coming from the tires as they went around. This noise got progressively worse over the next 3 days and I brought it in to the dealership where I purchased it. (I also purchased a great 7yr warranty which covers basically anything except for routine maintenance items.) I dropped the car off on the evening of July 21, 2011 and the next day the dealership called me to inform me what was wrong with my car. They said the caliper slides were hanging up and it had caused all my brakes and rotors to need to be replaced. They offered to fix "my problem" for $520. I asked how this could possible be my fault, I've owned several cars and I've never once heard of lubing the caliper slides. They said that this was routine maintenance and would not be covered under my warranty, even though my warranty specifically states that it covers faulty calipers. Then I found this website: www.sonatabrakedefect.com/index.php/sonatadefect/sonatacomments.html and I realized I wasn't the only one experiencing this problem. As I read further on I realized that Hyundai will not cover this defect but recommends that you pay them to have your caliper slides lubed every 15,000 miles. When I picked my vehicle up, which I did not allow them to fix, I asked why I was never notified that this was a required service in order to prevent this issue. I received no logical answer. I also asked them to show me where in my owners manual under routine maintenance it stated that the caliper slides needed to be lubed and they could not show me. They said if I had brought my vehicle in to them for maintenance that it would have been taken care of. The wear on the brakes is completely ridiculous and unsafe. All pads are worn unevenly and in excess. All of my brakes are destroyed and must be replaced at this point.

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

I brought my 2009 Hyundai in for 16,500 mile check and was informed that my rear brakes failed and the brake shoes and rotor needed replacement. I told them I had not noted any symptoms of or sound of brake failure and would get a second opinion. At 18,701 miles I noticed noise while breaking and returned to the dealer the service manager suggested the damage was caused by driving with the emergency brake on. I told him that I do not ever need to use the emergency break and surely didn't drive with it on! he then said it was caused by rust. I wouldn't expect rear brakes to fail at 16,000 miles. After checking on-line I found it is a common failure with Sonata. I had to pay $423 to repair what I consider to be a design or manufacturing defect.

- Mansfield, MA, USA

Rear brakes failed on 2009 Hyundai Sonata... also had lot of noise, grinding, was able to stop car because front brakes did work. Took to garage to have pads/rotors checked told it was dealer issue car too knew/low miles. Still replaced one rotor and pad as totally gone. One tire would not rotate properly. Went to dealer - dealer finally admitted caliper defective on rear brakes - told car not drivable parts not in stock - drive car home - will call when parts in. Brakes very, very hot. Rear brake turning on and off at will.

- Roscoe, IL, USA

I am the owner of a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The brakes (rear) are supposedly worn out at 16,000 miles even though the front brakes are "like new". from reading on line there is a problem with these brakes that Hyundai refuses to ackowledge or repair. I believe that it is time for the nhta to force the issue. How is it that a manufacturer can stonewall everyone when it is obvious that there is a design defect? all any of us get from Hyundai is that htey understand our concern but they will do nothing.

- Derry, NH, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated the rear brakes were wearing prematurely. The vehicle was being examined by an independent mechanic during routine maintenance when the failure was diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the brakes were replaced. The dealer did not state why the rear brakes were wearing prematurely. The contact also stated it was unusual for the rear brakes to wear before the front brakes. The failure and current mileage was 11,400. Updated 05/24/11 updated 05/26/11

- Howard Beach, NY, USA