2016 Hyundai Sonata Brakes Problems
Owners filed 52 brake complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 7% of its 725 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 31,750. NHTSA also lists a related recall (17V359000) for a parking brake warning light that may fail to illuminate.
- Brakes complaints
- 52
- 7% of 725
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 31,750 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Rear brakes lock up suddenly without the driver pressing the pedal, sometimes at highway speed, in a few cases with reported smoke or fire near the wheels.
- The automatic emergency braking (AEB) system engages on its own at moderate speeds like 30-35 mph with no obstacle present, sometimes causing a rear-end collision.
- Some owners report the electronic parking or emergency brake self-engaging while accelerating or entering a roadway, immobilizing the car.
- A subset of complaints describe brake pedal traveling to the floor with no stopping power, occurring both with and without preceding fire or smoke.
- One owner described a persistent brake-pulling sensation from the first days of ownership, resembling the parking brake being partially engaged with no warning light.
When 2016 Hyundai Sonata brake complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 15, 2016, latest Mar 18, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata
- NHTSA 17V359000Jun 5, 2017Brakes161,074 vehicles
Parking brake:indicator light
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the warning light to indicate that the parking brake is applied may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch.
Risk: If the parking brake indicator is not illuminated when the parking brake is applied, the driver may operate the vehicle with the parking brake partially engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.
Brakes complaints by Sonata model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
- NHTSA lists 52 brake-related complaints for the 2016 Sonata, which is 7% of the 725 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
- Yes. Recall 17V359000 covers the 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis for a parking brake warning light that may not illuminate when the parking brake is applied.
- At what mileage do 2016 Sonata brake problems typically occur?
- The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 31,750 miles.
- Did the 2016 Sonata brake issues cause crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data links 4 crashes, 4 fires, and 4 injuries to brake complaints for the 2016 Sonata.
- How does the 2016 Sonata compare to other model years for brake complaints?
- The 2016 Sonata's 7% brake complaint share is lower than years like 2010 (12%), 2012 (12%), and 2013 (9%), but higher than 2017 (4%) and 2018 (5%).