Mushy Brakes Result in a $2400 Repair Estimate from the Dealer!?!?

[flytowny]

I have a 2009 3.8L V6 Genesis, one of the first five purchased in Orlando, Florida. I have been a tremendous fan of the vehicle and Hyundai, always touting it as an incredible value for the money and I have probably influenced about 20 other folks to purchase a Genesis.

Yesterday, my wife called and said that the brakes felt "mushy". Upon her return, I was surprised to find out that she was not overreacting and that the brake pedal was very soft and seemed to almost go to the floor - but the brakes still worked.

Having 96,000 miles on the vehicle, I figured it was a great time to take the car to the dealer to correct this problem and any others that could be discovered prior to the warranty expiration at 100,000 miles. So we took the car in yesterday afternoon.

Imagine my surprise, when I received a call from my service rep this morning and he said that the problem was a "hydraulic unit" (part no. 58920-3M0A5) and that the part was not covered by the warranty - in fact the part, labor, supplies/disposal, and taxes totaled $2374.48!

WOW! I fly Boeing 777s - that is what I would expect it would cost to fix the brakes on my plane, not my car.

Obviously, I was not pleased with the news. He recommended that I contact "Customer Connect" and voice my concerns.

Does anyone have any experience with this or further advice?

BTW, I have found the same part that the dealer quoted at $1934.56 for $1299.90 + $15.00 shipping for a supposed OEM part from Four Green Auto Parts.

Is this the end of my Genesis honeymoon?? Thanks in advance!

 

[Philth]

STOP! DO NOT PAY. That is the ABS control unit that is in the center of controversy right now with the DOT3 brake fluid causing corrosion in them. There is a recall being released next month that addresses this issue. It should be replaced free of charge. BTW- the MSRP for the part itself is over $1,800.

BTW - I'm in aviation maintenance. Perform fuel systems maintenance.

 

[Mark_888]

Since the recall is for replacing the brake fluid, I would contact HMA directly to see if the ABS module replacement can be done for free even if your warranty has expired. The recall was just announced, and not all dealers have been notified.

Also, I would go the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and file a report of what happened to your brakes. So far, at least 22 persons have filed a complaint, and the NHTSA needs info on all occurrences of brake failure to evaluate the situation.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

 

[flytowny]

Great information, thank you.

The service rep did mention a "brake fluid" recall, but indicated that it did not apply to this hydraulic unit failure. It seems very coincidental. Does anyone have a copy of or further details on the DOT-3 recall?

I plan to push very aggressively with Hyundai's Customer Connect to attempt to have this covered. Wish me luck!

MSRP of over $1800 for the part still seems extremely excessive for an ABS modulator valve. Am I just naive? I would just have expected that pricing if I was dealing with a Mercedes, but not a Hyundai... !

 

[Philth]

Here you go:

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/21/2009-hyundai-genesis-investigation-brake-problems/

 

[Philth]

And here's news about the recall:

http://www.latimes.com/business/aut...recall-20131021,0,4074830.story#axzz2j9gjCdot

 

[flytowny]

Outstanding Philth! That gives me some good ammunition.

BTW- are you in Aviation Maintenance with the AF at Scott? I am a retired Navy pilot, thanks for your service!

 

[Philth]

Outstanding Philth! That gives me some good ammunition.

BTW- are you in Aviation Maintenance with the AF at Scott? I am a retired Navy pilot, thanks for your service!

Yes, I am. In the management arena now...retiring soon. And thank YOU for your service. Good luck!

 

[nb_mike]

I just read on line today that Hyundai is recalling 2009-12 Genesis for brake fluid leaks causing mushy brakes......I would certainly hit dealers up for repairs or refunds if you paid for one.

 

[Ruissimo]

Did they give you an estimate PRIOR to working on the car? If so... I think you're left with two choices: bring up the TSB to someone who will listen, or fight those charges - call HMA and see if they can resolve the issue for you.

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[waveman]

I just read on line today that Hyundai is recalling 2009-12 Genesis for brake fluid leaks causing mushy brakes......I would certainly hit dealers up for repairs or refunds if you paid for one.

The brake fluid in my car was replaced during a routine maintenance visit to the dealer per the prior TSB. But that was before the recall, which as I understand it also includes inspection of the ABS module and replacement if needed. When I'm at the dealer next (today in fact) I'm going to ask them to look at the module.

 

[Mark_888]

The brake fluid in my car was replaced during a routine maintenance visit to the dealer per the prior TSB. But that was before the recall, which as I understand it also includes inspection of the ABS module and replacement if needed. When I'm at the dealer next (today in fact) I'm going to ask them to look at the module.

Please let us know what the dealers says. Other owners who have reported intermittent brake failure and took their car to a dealer have reported that usually the dealer could not reproduce the problem, so nothing was done. That makes me suspicious as to whether the dealer can tell if anything is wrong with the ABS unit just by looking at it.

 

[waveman]

Please let us know what the dealers says. Other owners who have reported intermittent brake failure and took their car to a dealer have reported that usually the dealer could not reproduce the problem, so nothing was done. That makes me suspicious as to whether the dealer can tell if anything is wrong with the ABS unit just by looking at it.

They said that they couldn't do anything without an official recall or TSB from Hyundai. I'm going to give it a couple of weeks to see if I receive anything about a recall or find something more definitive online and then contact the dealer again.

 

[Philth]

Waveman...the recall is now up on NHTSA's site. Campaign number 13V489.

"SUMMARY:
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, through March 28, 2012. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU).
CONSEQUENCE:
If the module corrodes, reduced brake effectiveness may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners and instruct them to bring their vehicle to a dealer for service. For vehicles manufactured prior to June 01, 2010, dealers will change the brake fluid and inspect the HECU, repairing it as necessary. For vehicles manufactured after June 01, 2010 dealers will flush the HECU assembly and brake system and change the brake fluid. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by the end of December 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 or by email at consumeraffairs@hmausa.com. Hyundai's recall number is 114."

There is no way in hell you should be paying for that repair. Hopefully you don't have any troubles.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Sub'd for later

 

[StealthWyvern]

I just dropped my car into the dealership due to the brakes going to the floor! I doubt the dealership will cover it beings that the car is sitting at 63k but thankfully I have a extended warranty!

 

[Philth]

If it's a recall, it should still be covered. Don't believe there is a mileage limit as long as it's the ABS unit that's faulty.

 

[Mark_888]

I just dropped my car into the dealership due to the brakes going to the floor! I doubt the dealership will cover it beings that the car is sitting at 63k but thankfully I have a extended warranty!

Please go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and file a report of what happened to your brakes. So far, at least 22 persons have filed a complaint, and the NHTSA needs info on all occurrences of brake failure to evaluate the situation.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

 

[StealthWyvern]

Please go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and file a report of what happened to your brakes. So far, at least 22 persons have filed a complaint, and the NHTSA needs info on all occurrences of brake failure to evaluate the situation.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

I will have to do that later when i have all the information with me. The dealership called and stated that the ABS module went belly up. However they are trying to get the 3rd party warrenty place to cover it. They don't want to pay for it because no CEL was tripped.

 

[StealthWyvern]

duplicate post