2009 4.6L. Brakes issue.

[rickkapur]

2009 genesis sedan 4.6. Only 31k miles. Brake pedal has become soft and has to be depressed all the way to the floor to make it work. Feels very unsafe. Reading articles online and un this forum, seems that there was some brake fluid issue in that year (up to 2011) that would chemically damage the Hydraulics ECU. Anyone here has direct experience with this? Seems that Hyundai had an advisory, and has covered it some of the times.
Interestingly, the reverse camera also stopped working...black screen. Not sure if it is related.
Thanks

 

[Gunkk]

Your HECU has failed and must be replaced immediately.

I have had HECU failure in both my 2009 4.6 and 2012 4.6. In the 2009, the pedal will go to the floor with zero brakes when it fails completely, so it is dangerous to operate the car. I was lucky as a frantic two-foot heavy metal drummer pedal pump saved my car, and the car in front of me, from a nasty wreck at the last moment.

When my 2012 failed, I only lost brakes on one wheel (due to change in HECU design concurrent with introduction of the smart-cruise system in 2011 IIRC).

There was a recall on the 2009 4.6 HECU brake fluid, and many HECUs were replaced under warranty (and extended warranty in both of my cars), so check your VIN history with a dealer to see if it was done on your car. The recall was for the fluid, not the HECU (Hyundai was scummy for this). Cost to replace at a dealer will likely be in the neighborhood of $3000+/-. Non-dealer mechanics can do it if they have the correct computer interface (required to actuate the HECU and bleed it correctly).

Backup camera failure is a common issue in the 2009-2010 cars, and is not related to the HECU failure.

 

[chrev]

Mine failed on my 2011 4.6. If you order the part make sure it supports all of your car's features. Its not a complicated job to do because its right at the front of the car below the fuse panel so the labor cost shouldn't be too bad. However, last I checked the part new is over $1000. If you buy it salvaged you need to check the part number to see if its the updated version. You will also need to make sure that the threads weren't screwed up when it was removed from the scrapped car.