Two problems related to brake disc pads have been reported for the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra based on all problems reported for the 2011 Elantra.
Rear brake pads separated after 50,000 miles of mainly highway driving (my Honda accord, driven similarly, had brake pads last 150,000 miles). Vehicle is garaged.
The vehicle was purchased new and has approx. ~76k miles in 6. 5 years of ownership. It is garaged when not in use. It has only ever been serviced at the same local Hyundai service center. At the 72,501-mile service, the brakes were assigned a yellow score on a red-yellow-green scale but no remedial work was recommended. Since then I have noticed no obvious issues with the vehicle's braking system nor received any dashboard indicators of vehicle issues. At yesterday's 76,184-mile service, I was told that the rear brakes needed urgent repair work. When I asked when I could bring the vehicle back for remedial work, I was told the repairs should be carried out immediately else I may lose the rear brakes. The inner rear pads were found to be coming apart from backing plates and "flapping". The rear brake pads were replaced and rear rotors resurfaced. For someone who drives conservatively specifically to increase brake life, it is extremely concerning that the vehicle's brakes went from ok 3500 miles ago, to now they could stop working imminently. For a fwd vehicle, it is interesting that the rear brakes specifically have this issue. Based on my experience, I am concerned those that do not service their Hyundai as frequently as I do, may experience sudden and catastrophic brake failure of factory-installed brake pads, rotors and other factory parts without warning, with obvious implications for occupant safety.