8.8
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $50
- Average Mileage:
- 95,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (4 reports)
- replace bulbs (3 reports)
- replace brake housing (1 reports)
Taillights (sides of the brake lights) continuously burn out. I have replaced the bulbs on both the right and left sides too many times in the last year and a half.
- Felix S., Palm Beach Gardens, FL, US
Truly disappointed in this make/model of Hyundai (Sonata, 2014, LT Turbo). I've never replaced so many brake light bulbs for one car in my entire time of been driving! The driver side brake light was constantly going out, after the third time and the bulb each time of replacing was darker than the fist burnt out bulb. It was clear that something was not right. After the usual oil change at the dealership, they commented that the bulb was burnt out, again and they would change, at their expensive hourly rate for labor and part would roughly cost me 50 bucks. I passed as I had a stash of bulbs in the trunk.
Well, I finally bit the bullet and scheduled an appointment to have this item fixed, replacing bulbs, no longer an option. Of course, the warranty was up but I had an extended and cost me a 100 bucks to diagnose and believe it or not, fix the problem. Turned out there was a short in the electrical harness (from engine to brake light housing); which they replaced.
After reading all the complaints on this issue, there's a definite issue. As of today, the driver side brake light bulb has not had an issue and it's going on a year; however, as of today, the right side has burnt out and the bulb is completely black, like the other, so it's rather obvious that this will need the same repair. More money and time for something that should not happen and definitely be covered, but it's not. Another complaint with this model is that the car won't go into gear on occasion, and yes, the brake pedal is held down. I have to literally turn the car off, wait a few minutes and restart, which corrects the problem. This has happened roughly 5 times since I've owned it, purchased new.
And, the steering wheel controls occasionally have a mind of its own; changing music controls to phone controls, and vise-versa. I had it looked at but the dealership couldn't replicate the problem, therefore, they said there's nothing they can do. Now, the illumination for blind spot disappears and a warning occasionally comes on the dash to have that looked at. What next?
I'm not sure if I would actually purchase another Hyundai. I had previously owned an Elantra and it had a couple of minor issues but this 2014 Sonata, it's something else. Just more money out of the pocket to fix. What next?
- Lisa L., Hollister, CA, US
My brake and tail lights continues to go out. I have change the bulbs but when I change the bulbs, the tail light wouldn't work but the brake will or it's the other way around; the tail light work but the brake wouldn't. I have seen so many Sonatas with one tail or brake light. I'm tired of buying bulbs.
- Erica S., Memphis, US
My tail/brake/turn signal lamps keep going out and the wiring is all fine, I have replaced them 3 times since January 2019.
- latanyal, Berwyn Heights, US
I bought a 2014 Hyundai Sonata and the tail and brake lights are constantly going out with the head lights also needing replaced. This is an ongoing issue and a fire hazard! I see many complaints about the same issue.
This should not be happening and the manufacturer should recall and repair.
- brutkowski, Butler, US
I had my brake lights go out and replaced multiple times. I also have a friend with the same exact car who is doing the same thing. Now the housing has completely burned out and bulbs melted in. New bulbs don't work at all. I have seen many people with these same complaints online.
- Daunpierre D., Roanoke, VA, US
My brake light continue to go out and my car is barely four years old. The passenger side went out and was changed many times. Then today the driver side was burnt out and when the bulb was being removed it broke inside the holster. I found this to be very dangerous and a continuous pain in the ass. Hyundai should do better with the electrical work before someone is either injured or, worst case scenario, death is involved. This matter needs to be looked into and I don't feel as if I should have to pay for what Hyundai screwed up. Lights should not be burning out continuously nor should an entire house have to be replaced due to Hyundai. Own up to your responsibility and fix the problem!
- Sandra B., Fairburn, US
Same situation as many other contributors to this website thread. Brake lights constantly stop working, and the bulbs are not burned out. The actual light socket fittings are very loose and the connections lose contact with the wiring contact tabs. All bulbs fit the same - #2357 so that is not the issue. Hyundai should have made much better fittings. This is a HUGE safety hazard, both for the occupants of the vehicle and for other drivers.
- Jef G., Felton, CA, US