2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,273 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Hyundai Sonata brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Aug 152019

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 130,789 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Today my ABS light went on and the brakes became rock hard could not press down on them. Then I parked the car checked all fluids and belts, turned the car on again the ABS light turned off. Started to drive tried accelerating from 25mph to 30mph then ESC light went on locked my brakes tried driving to park in a safe place as soon as I parked the car and turned it off a bad smell and lots of smoke came out of my front tires and rear tires. Got car towed breaks are ok my mechanic pressed the ESC button off and now breaks are soft. I believe there is a malfunction that you should look into that will cause a recall. Also TPMS light randomly goes on and off. Tire pressure again is fine. Please consider looking into this. It"S the only car we"ve had for about 9 years and now my daughter drives it to school. Safety please!! thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Belle Mead, NJ, USA

problem #29

Nov 122017

Sonata

  • 138,000 miles
ESC off light flashes intermittently after the stop light switch recall "fix". issues with brake lights still illuminating after car has been put in park and turned off. Has been happening in all types of weather, no specific incident caused it to occur. It began to occur more frequently since Oct 29.

- Creedmoor, NC, USA

problem #28

Jun 212017

Sonata

  • 121,738 miles
When I put my car in park turn off the car my parking lights come on cant turn them off at switch have to disconnect my battery for fear my car wont start, also at dark while im driving I switch my lights to just the running lights my windshield wipers come on. No matter if my switch is on auto or off my lights still stay on. When I turn off the car and at times I cant get my key out of the ignition I have to wiggle the shiftier, and if that dose not work then I put my seat belt back on and push the lock and unlock button on my key fob. So with all of this I cant use the alarm nor the ability to unlock my door and to have my interior lights come on at night. This needs to be fixed because of the night time security features.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #27

Jan 022017

Sonata

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ESC off light comes on randomly along with airbag warning.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #26

Dec 052015

Sonata

  • 145,000 miles
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'

- Centralia, IL, USA

problem #25

Feb 022016

Sonata

  • 75,000 miles
The ESC off does not turn off even after pressing the ESC switch. Both ESC and ESC off turns on after the ignition is switched on and stays for a few seconds. Post that the ESC light goes off. But after few minutes ESC off light turns on. This problem seems to be with most of the Hyundai Sonata

- Richfield, MN, USA

problem #24

Jan 032016

Sonata

  • 155,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ESC off warning light comes on intermittently at start up and during driving of vehicle, stalls at traffic lights or stop signs and find that shutting off vehicle for a few seconds and restarting seems to clear the issue but the ESC lights comes back on within minutes. Happened 10 time in past 2 months, then twice over this past weekend, now the light will not go off and the ESC switch does not work.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

problem #23

Nov 072015

Sonata

  • 112,000 miles
ESC off warning light comes on intermittently at start up and during driving of vehicle where the engine is sluggish, stalls at traffic lights or stop signs and find that shutting off vehicle for a few seconds and restarting seems to clear the issue. Happen one time in past 2wks, then twice over this past weekend. Surprised to find all these claims on this issue and no recall notice.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

problem #22

Mar 112015

Sonata

  • miles
Air bag light stays on all the time. ESC light comes on whale driving and some time it will go out. Turning on and off ESC switch will not turn it off. Would this be covered under recall? thanks jerry

- Lindsay, CA, USA

problem #21

May 012015

Sonata

  • 80,000 miles
The ABS ESC off dash light is coming on while driving down the road, will not go off until car is turned off. Began doing this about once a week, now it is doing every day. Does not help to turn the button on/off.

- Helenwood, TN, USA

problem #20

May 052015

Sonata

  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the check engine light and ESC light go on simultaneously. When this occurs, the car goes into reduced power mode ("limp mode") and you are not able to drive above 15 or 20 mph. This is a very dangerous situation, especially when driving on the highway. This is a known issue with Hyundai in which they issued tsb #'s 09-fl-003-2 and 10-fl-010. The tsb's address a faulty throttle position sensor which is to be replaced with a new one with different settings than the original. One the part is changed, an update to the electronic control module is required. There are numerous accounts of this incident happening. How can a flaw of this magnitude not warrant a recall?

- Melville, NY, USA

problem #19

Aug 112014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 104,743 miles
ESC light on along with check engine....need push button and turn off engine a couple of time.

- Pasco, WA, USA

problem #18

Nov 282008

Sonata

  • 100 miles
Ever since the purchase of my 2008 Hyundai Sonata I have had problems with the TPMS and ESC lights/system. Over the years if I would turn the car off then back on it seemed to reset the system and the lights would go out. I did have the TPMS system repaired under warranty years back and it seemed to lessen the problem however now 8/29/2014, the lights will not go off even after stopping and starting the car. I had the wheel sensors tested and they are all working. The repairs done when I first had the car took days and I remember they had to replace something behind my glove box which they said was a radio that read the signal from the wheel sensors. Seems like the same problem and I see others have the same issue with these lights. I have called the dealership (preston Hyundai in boardman, oh) and am waiting for a return call.

- Lisbon, OH, USA

problem #17

Aug 062014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 31,000 miles
Pedal to the metal rusted out brake line close to $1,000 to repair

- Twinsburg, OH, USA

problem #16

Jul 012010

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
"ESC off" warning light illuminates occasionally. Shutting off and restarting the car usually fixes it.

- Buena, NJ, USA

problem #15

Feb 172013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
Since buying my vehicle in Feb 2013. I've had nothing but problems with it. Air bag light, tire pressure light and check engine light came on and car has broken down on me. Took care to get fixed from dealership within in my 30 days warranty. Robertsons Honda fixed the battery problem and the check engine light but not that other 2. they stated to me that they didn't have the correct equipment to fix it. Which is not my problem.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 082014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 146,430 miles
On 04/08/2014, I was driving with my family when the steering wheel locked; then I stepped on the brake pedal and the wheel became loose and I was able to regain control of my car. Once we got to our destination I parked the car. Later, when I got in the car to return home, my car's ignition switch was not turning and the steering got locked as well. On 04/09/2014, I towed my Sonata car to the dealer at momentum Hyundai: 2775 auto mall pkwy, fairfield, ca 94533 for service. I described the issues to the service agent and I asked him if my issue was a recall and he said "no". the dealer charged me $736.40 for labor and for these car parts: Body & switch ass [fp number: 81910-3K010] cylinder assy-str [fp number: 81920-3ka10] bolt-safety lock [fp number: 81919-31000] note: On 04/06/2014, the steering wheel and the ignition switch had locked; but I was able to pull the steering wheel left and right and the ignition switch finally turned and the car started. But on 04/08/2014, I couldnt solve the issue myself. This is scary, especially when I was driving and had my family with me. GM, and Toyota have recalled millions of cars because of the same issue; and I dont know what hyunday is waiting for to do the same. I hope Hyundai is not waiting on people to get severely hurt to raise a flag and announce a recall on their models. Hyundai should recall its models to prevent the loss of lives. If Hyundai does a recall of its models to solve the issue I have experienced, I would appreciate they refunded my money. Thanks.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #13

Oct 212013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
Several times the ESC light has come on and I noticed a lot of drivers have their brake lights going off. I don't know if this is happening but I made an appointment and the light will not stay on so I cancelled. It did stay on once for 3 days along with the check engine light but I got my tires changed and both lights went off. Since then the ESC light keeps coming on but after it sets or you park it and restart, the light resets and goes off.

- Lebanon, VA, USA

problem #12

Jul 152010

Sonata

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the electronic stability light engaged and caused the vehicle speed to decrease. The contact stated that the failure only occurred when the weather temperatures were hot. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that they could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 42,000.

- Brookland, AR, USA

problem #11

Jun 122013

Sonata

  • 51,000 miles
I purchased a certified used Hyundai Sonata 2008 a few months ago and we decided to test it on a long drive. We changed the oil, filled up the tank and making sure that we have everything we need we took off to boston (MA) a 750 mi drive from columbus (oh) for a family reunion. On our way back the ESC off light came up causing an instant loss of acceleration and a dead gas pedal. I learned that if I turned off the car the light went away and I could drive for another 10-15 min until the light came up and we had to pool over again. We drove 10-15 miles at the time all the way home praying that I would not have to pool over in a construction area where there was no place to pool over and traffic would have to stop until I would restart my car. It was nerve wrecking because I had to stop very often in the middle of nowhere during the night without knowing if the next restart will work again. My wife and our 11 months old were in the car with me and I all I wanted was to get them home safe.

- Columbus, OH, USA

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