Brake Disc Caliper problems of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata

I bought a used 2008 Hyundai Sonata with approx 50,000 miles on it in 2012. Since purchasing is all it has been was one problem after the other. I had to have the engine replaced this week (which is another story) and since my inspection was due I asked them to inspect the car also at a certified dealer. And again my car did not pass inspection due to the same issue as last year. Caliper seized and needs new brakes and rotors again. I had a mechanic do the work last time since it was approx $200 cheaper than the dealer and I guess plan on it again at $500. 00. Im thinking it may be a good idea to get rid of this awful car prior to this happening again or anything else. Wouldn't recommend a Hyundai to my worst enemy. I am a grandparent and would hate for the calipers to seize while driving with my grandson, the safety of this vehicle is a concern.

I was in a parking lot with the car turned off and used the keyless entry fob to open the trunk. The trunk flew up so quickly that the hydraulic hinge support, that props it open, broke off at the top. The abs & esc lights stay on when the car is running. Sometimes while I¿m driving those 2 warning lights will flash off, then back on a few seconds later. When that happens my brakes don¿t work correctly, and make a rubbing sound that I can feel through the brake pedal. The automotive instructor at the college I work at looked at the brakes and it¿s the calipers sticking. The dashboard srs warning light stays on, and the passenger safety belt light flashes constantly when the car is running. It doesn¿t matter if there is someone in the passenger seat or not. The tpms malfunction indicator is the most recent warning light to come on and stay on until the car is turned off. Seems like Hyundai produced nothing but lemons for quite a stretch and not much is being done to help the consumer¿.

The following is an email that I sent to the service department I recently went to for recurring brake/caliper issues on this vehicle. As you know I was in yesterday (buerkle Hyundai white bear lake, mn @ 8:48 am invoice 183543) with my 2008 Hyundai Sonata with left rear brake issues. It seemed like the left rear caliper may be sticking. As I explained when the car was dropped off yesterday (2/5/13), we had just replaced both rear brake pads and rotors and the car only had 29,975 miles when the brakes and rotors were replaced on 12/22/2012. I brought in the previous brake pads and rotor for your inspection from the rear drivers side of the vehicle. The side that is currently having issues. It clearly showed the brake pads were completely gone and the rotor was scraped and ruined. This was shown to the service advisor helping me, brian coyle. I have attached, just a few out of several, websites for your review to show this is a known problem that has received many consumer complaints. . Read more...

My rear brake calipers were frozen/ corroded into the pads. The rear brakes were inoperable. This could have effected the ability of the car to stop effectively. The dealer said they would not replace unless the caliper was leaking. It was corroded at only 39,000 miles and 3yrs after bought.

When I bought a new 2008 Hyundai Sonata, I soon experienced a squelling sound from the rear brakes. The dealership serviced the brakes. They said it was the shims causing the brakes to sieze and keep from sliding properly. Within 30,000 miles the rear brakes were worn out. I now have 54,000 miles on the car and the rear brake pads are worn out. I discovered from my mechanic that this model is known for a premature wear problem with the rear brakes. The pads seized in place unable to back off the rotor. I'm prompted to notify you due to the many postings of this issue on the internet. I'm not sure if it is a weather concern with corrosion or a design flaw in the caliper.

I have been concerned about the rear brakes due to the numerous complaints on mycarstats. Com. Often when I get the car serviced by the dealer I have mentioned that they should check the rear brakes. This time was the 45000 mile service and I brought a printout of the 26 existing complaints. The service manager assured me that they always check and clean rear brakes, calipers, rotors, etc to prevent an early failure. Shortly after leaving the car, the service manager calls me to say that indeed the rear brake pads were worn out and needed replacing. I told him I thought that it should be under the bumper to bumper warranty because it was a known defect in these Sonatas. He said brakes only had a 1 year warranty and I would have to pay. There was no sound or warning in advance. If it wasn't for the mycarstats. Com website, I would have never known to keep asking. The front brakes are fine and have not yet been replaced. Driving is mostly highway. Is there a class action suit for this yet?.

Took car to dealer for annual state vehicle inspection and to have "chirping" noise from brakes checked. Rear brake pads were at 3/32"; min allowed is 2/32". Front pads ok at +7/32". Replaced rear pads, machined rotors. Mileage was 23,226; car purchased feb2008 and was regularly serviced at dealer. Dealer sa advised that pad wear was normal and that 'on this model the rear brakes always wear faster'. When this was disputed the sa said that corrosion on caliper did not allow pads to withdraw and that constant contact wore out the pads. When asked about warranty coverage sa said that brakes are only covered for 12 months. Subsequently noted that on side of car with sticking caliper that the paint on both steel wheels has peeled and wheels have rusted. Tires have been rotated, front-to-back, several times since new. Possible that excessive heat from dragging pads overheated wheels and damaged paint. Also possible that there was excessive heat to wheel bearings. Will have this checked at next service, or sooner. This premature rear pad wear is not normal for Hyundai. Also, presently driving a 2001 elantra that went 60k+ before needing brakes. Never owned any car that had rear brakes wear before front. The number of complaints registed indicates that this is a design/material issue that needs correcting before someone is hurt.

I have a 2008 Hyundai Sonata and had to replace my rear brakes at 24,000 miles. My dealer said that it had something to do with the calipers sticking and this caused my rear brakes to wear prematurely. My dealer also indicated that this is "a Hyundai problem" and they see this a lot with "these cars. " I contacted Hyundai and informed them of this issue, and they were very rude to say the least with regard to their response. They clearly took no responsibility for this issue and for the most part lays the blame on the driver and the driving conditions. Under no circumstances should the rear brakes require replacing at such low mileage. There are many other complaints listed here where other owners of these cars have had the same problems, yet no investigation is being launched and Hyundai clearly refuses to take responsibility for clearly substandard braking systems.

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 20 mph, the contact engaged the brake pedal and heard a metal to medal loud screeching noise. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they informed the contact that when the vehicle was produced the manufacturer did not lubricate the pistons properly; and the quality of the lubricant was insufficient. The rear rotors were replaced at the owner's expense. Additionally, the owner's manual instructed that the brakes be diagnosed every 15,000 miles, and if the brakes lubrication was not functioning properly then the calipers would need to be replaced. The contact stated the information provided in the manual was not communicated to him at the time the vehicle was purchased, which was a significant concern. The failure mileage was 22,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Rear brakes sticking on. First occurred at 35,000 miles and dealer notified me that the brake pads needed replaced, but upon inspection I saw that only one pad was worn to the metal, and the others were at > 50% life. I replaced the pad but the caliper and slider design is defective and the failure happened again at 40,000 miles. This time the car began jerking and suffered loss of brake performance as the indicator, along with noise, smoke, and odor. The Hyundai dealer (mike miller in peoria, IL) would not fix the problem under warranty, instead saying it was a normal wear item.

Premature wear of rear brake pads on a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. Rear brake pads were completely gone at 35000 miles. My wife had brake failure while on the interstate. Removed wheels at home and found calipers were digging into rotors because of complete erosion of brake pads. Called dealer he said it has been an ongoing problem with this car. Not sure why, Hyundai offers no explanation or suggestions either. Replaced pads with new ones, will wait to see what happens. I will inspect every 10000 miles to determine extent of future wear on the brake pads. Front pads were at 8/32 rear pads were 0/32. . Pistons were clean on the rear and appeared to be working fine, both rear pads were gone equally.

Purchased demonstrator car with approximately 2,500 miles for normal use. Rear disk brake noise at 15,976 miles required both rear brake pads and rotors to be replaced under warranty. Same problem happened again at 33,356 miles, again requiring replacement of pads and turning of rotors (this time it was not covered - considered normal wear items). Once again, at approximately 52,000 miles, loud grinding from the left rear brake revealed that both inner and outer pads had been totally scrubbed off with light metal to metal contact, while the right rear pads still had greater than 50% of original pad thickness. The caliper slides operated smoothly and were well lubricated and sealed, and the pad slides were dirty with brake dust, but not corroded or blocked with dirt. The pads appeared to have been exposed to high heat. I replaced the pads to finish my trip and upon return it was apparent that the new pads had been dragging as evidenced by a strong smell and glazed appearance. It does not seem normal for this condition to happen - there was no grinding or abnormal noise observed during the most recent event, until pulling into our destination, when it was very loud. Appears that the caliper or caliper piston is sticking to keep the pads in contact with the disk, thus overheating and challenging the brake pad life. This seems to be only on the left (driver's side) caliper. Hyundai discussion forums have indicated this is a common problem that Hyundai is not formally addressing. I will take the car to the dealer this week, but wanted to register with NHTSA since it is a brake issue with safety implications.