Sporadic Low Brake Pedal Issue

[ComputerBudda]

I just had the brake pedal problem in my 2010 Genny. Will pick it up from the dealer this morning. I had my fluid recall done on Dec 3 2012 but on Dec 20 2012 there was a new recall for ABS inspection although I have not been notified of the new recall. I found out about it when I took the car to get this problem fixed. Based on my description of the problem they ordered an ABS (strange it wasn't in stock) module before I left the dealership so it must be a fairly know symptom/solution. One more weird issue, I parked it in the service line, went in to talk to the advisor, went back to the car to gather up my stuff and found the line had moved forward so I attempted to start the car to move up. The brake pedal was solid, I could not depress it at all...so it wouldn't start. I got a little yellow icon on the dash with the car outline and a key. I pressed harder and harder and finally the car started and the pedal went down. Very strange.

 

[tehcrna]

I reported the brake failure to NHTSA just before my initial post on this forum. However, I have not heard from that agency.

After my unpleasant 1 hour 20 minute experience with Hyundai Premier Customer Service and a few phone calls to the service manager at the dealership, Hyundai agreed to replace the HECU since I experienced a brake failure. The service manager had to make several phone call to different mangers within Hyundai before they would approve the replacement.

I am still surprised and confused it took so much aggravation to resolve this problem. Given the history, recall status, and a brake failure, it should have been definitively fixed initially since neglecting to do so is a significant safety issue.

This thread, as well as others, was a great resource to find after I experienced the brake failure. It gave me the information I needed to resolve the issue. My sincere gratitude to all of those contributing.

 

[Mark_888]

I reported the brake failure to NHTSA just before my initial post on this forum. However, I have not heard from that agency.

Having exchanged several emails with the NHTSA investigator concerning the Hyundai Genesis brake problem, I can assure you that your report is valuable input, even if they don't contact you. They need to know who often this problem is happening.

 

[[icon]]

Had the "soft brake pedal to the floor" incident this morning after hitting a good bump in the road. Apparently whatever corrosion issue was with the ABS ECU was broken off / triggered by the bump.

Called Hyundai and the Genesis/Equus dedicated line was answered on the first ring by an articulate/helpful woman.. pleasant surprise. She was exceptionally helpful, took my info, and set up an appointment with the dealership of my choice. She explained my 2010 Genny 4.6 was affected by recalls 114 (fluid/ECU) and 125 (brake lights).

The dealership I'm taking it to has a decent reputation and I've got some secondary connections to Sr Management, but was wondering how much resistance folks were facing in identifying ABS/ECU issues and getting recall-funded replacements?
Has Hyundai been pretty good about admitting fault and getting these fixes made?

Thanks

 

[[icon]]

Having issues with dealer "unable" to replace ABS HECU under recall due to it passing their "test". What is my best recourse here?

Timeline:
Wed: Drop car off at noon. They ID 3 recalls that need done.
Thur: Call for status. They assure me the ECU will be replaced. Waiting on a part.
Fri: Go in to get car: ECU Not replaced b/c it passed test. I tell them it's unacceptable.
Sat: I give them NHTSB compaint ID number and they contact Hyundai Corporate. No progress. I tell them to drive car for the weekend to try to replicate.
Mon/Today: Contacted back. Car drove well and did not present braking issue (it's sporadic, of course). Refusing to replace the ECU.

What's my play here, guys?

 

[[icon]]

UPDATE: Posted complaint to Hyundai of America Facebook and received a prompt response within minutes:

Responded.

 

[[icon]]

UPDATE: 3 hours later got a call from George in Hyundai Corporate. Very nice guy. Looking into the case with the local dealership and will be in touch within 48 hours.

 

[[icon]]

George called back after speaking with Gossett Hyundai (Memphis, TN) and said Hyundai refuses to do anything because the brake system passed the test. When I asked him if he felt replacing the brake fluid repaired the corrosion that triggered the brake failure, he played the "I'm not a technician" card.

I'm frankly furious and this significantly taints my perception of the Vehicle and its reliability.

I've contacted the dealership explaining I do not feel comfortable signing anything that transfers the liability for replacement of the damaged HECU to myself, absolving Hyundai of any responsibility/liability in this matter.

Any thoughts/ideas/options?

 

[tehcrna]

I would file a report of the brake failure to the NHTSA. Also, contact Hyundai Customer Care and file with them since you have experienced a brake failure. It was only after persistence the dealer was approved to replace the HECU.

Good luck.

 

[GNASTY69]

I have a 2009 genny and my brake is soft and for me to stop have to pump once i think its from when you have to start the lines swell and you loose pressure but im going to change my lines to breaded steel lines to fix that and hope it do. Can someone tell me wut yall think about that need feed back

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[Mark_888]

I have a 2009 genny and my brake is soft and for me to stop have to pump once i think its from when you have to start the lines swell and you loose pressure but im going to change my lines to breaded steel lines to fix that and hope it do. Can someone tell me wut yall think about that need feed back

You most likely need a new HECU (the anti-lock braking system made by Continental). The cost is about $2K.

 

[GNASTY69]

Woow 2k i wounder if i can get the dealer to fix it for free hhhmmm going to try will let yall know and thank for the feed back

 

[[icon]]

I would file a report of the brake failure to the NHTSA. Also, contact Hyundai Customer Care and file with them since you have experienced a brake failure. It was only after persistence the dealer was approved to replace the HECU.

Good luck.

After pressing the dealer for another day or two they spoke with the regional manager and got someone to sign off on the HECU replacement. I had my car the next day and it didn't cost me a dime. It has performed flawlessly since. Whew.

 

[TimeOut]

Add me to the list of Genesis owners with Brake Failures. This is my Genesis 2010 4.6 with only 29,640 miles.

I'm lucky it happened to me while I was on a side road driving at 30MPH. I had to pump the brakes several times to get the car to stop at the light.

Car has been out of warranty for 10 months now and I'm going to call Hyundai Customer Care as soon as I file the report with the NHTSA

BTW, I did the Brake Fluid recall back in March 2013 when the car had 17K miles.

 

[Ambush]

Add me to the list of Genesis owners with Brake Failures. This is my Genesis 2010 4.6 with only 29,640 miles.

I'm lucky it happened to me while I was on a side road driving at 30MPH. I had to pump the brakes several times to get the car to stop at the light.

Car has been out of warranty for 10 months now and I'm going to call Hyundai Customer Care as soon as I file the report with the NHTSA

BTW, I did the Brake Fluid recall back in March 2013 when the car had 17K miles.

WOW I am happy that you were not driving on HWY also. I got my brake module/system replaced under warranty last year thank goodness for the same problem. Good luck. Hyundai should fix all of this for free!

 

[TimeOut]

I got my car back today and I'm very pleased with Hyundai. It took them few days to approve the HECU replacement but, it was worth the wait.

 

[fairportkev]

So, had this exact issue pop up a couple weeks ago as I was exiting NYS thruway and entering a toll booth line!! lucky nobody in front of me. immediately took it to local dealer in Albany (not my home) and they of course could not duplicate. after $100 diag fee,
fast forward to last night and it happens in the middle of a snow storm. got the car home and this morning it's still flat lining. took it straight to the dealer and made them come out to experience it. left it there and returned home to research and found this thread.
I have seen a couple posts where it implies Hyundai covered the cost of the repair although out of warranty. My Genny is a 2010 with 90K miles. Is it as simple as contacting Hyundai and complaining? looking to avoid the $3k bill if possible.
Thanks

 

[tehcrna]

It is a scary event to lose the braking power. The process I followed was calling Hyundai customer service and filing a report with the NHTSA. If your vehicle was part of the recall which called for draining and replacing the brake fluid, perhaps Hyundai will help you. I think the recall happened as the original brake fluid could cause the seals in the HECU to fail. Though I had the recall service performed I had a brake failure subsequently. Hyundai completely denied the claim at first and I spent well over an hour with customer service. Since this is was a recall issue I have the sense the NHTSA was a factor in the decision to replace the HECU. Best of luck.

 

[fairportkev]

UPDATE
Local Dealer, Vision Hyundai, was able to get Hyundai to cover the cost of the replacement HECU. Took them less than 48 hours from me taking it in to having it back and working fine. Got to give them credit and saved me $3k! although while waiting I was almost sold on a 2016...had to walk away and take my savings.

 

[jmac]

My 2012 5.0 with 35k miles started to experience the intermittent fade to the floor at 34k miles. While it has happened less than 12 times it is non the less alarming. A quick pump of the pedal restores normal pedal. One of those phantom things that will not manifest when at the service drive. Will I experience failure & a crash before the problem is solved? Also experience intermittent electrical problems with mouse & windows.