Hyundai Genesis 2012 Brakes

Your calendar seems to be broken.

[edit] This comment assumes you are protected by American legislation. If not, parts of this comment may not be applicable to you and your circumstances.

You might ask your dealer about this article.

I have a feeling you have a legitimate complaint, and are entitled to some satisfaction.

You said
"I have had the car into my dealership... they can't fix the problem."
"Called Hyndai, and my car was not in the recall."

Can you document either of these comments? If yes, I'm sure the NHTSA would love to visit with you.

Well it could be subject to recall as the brake fluid they were using was found to not inhibit corrosion of the zinc plating on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit(HECU) properly, and I assume this would just involve replacing the brake fluid to a proper type....

"573.6(c)(5)

The subject vehicles may contain brake fluid that does not sufficiently inhibit corrosion in the zinc plating on the service brake system's Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module. Over time, corrosion may lead to a gel buildup on the module's valves affecting the valve's operation, resulting in low/soft brake pedal with reduced brake effectiveness, which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash." "...For vehicles manufactured after June 01, 2010 dealers will flush the HECU assembly/valves and brake system using Hyundai's dealer diagnostic tool and change the brake fluid with fluid containing additional corrosion inhibitor additive."...

Your car may have already had the brake fluid changed and the valve flushed, before you bought it...

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/archive/index.php/t-12395.html

However it might be that your brake rotors are rusting which would give the same results and the scraping sound....You may need to reseat your brakes....this happens to cars around here on the beach all the time, if not driven often enough.....more than once a week.....

To expand on Doorman's post:

NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V489000

All products associated with this recall:

All 2012 Genesis are affected, among other years.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA Action Number: PE13033 Brake hydraulic control module failure

Call your dealer and remind him that ALL vehicles have been recalled.Tell him that you demand that the vehicle be towed to their facility and repaired.

I'd dismiss the "rusted" brake rotors out of hand as drivel.

I'd dismiss your entire post as uninformed.....You're suggesting that a dealership would pass up free money from the manufacturer for a covered repair....

That seems to be the case.

OP is not a car person.

"rusting rotors"?

"Re-seating brakes"?

You're just confusing an already confused person.

If the car has not set unused for a period of time then the rusting rotors thing can probably be dismissed, I think that was made clear...If on the other hand the car has sat unused for a period of time, then rusting rotors is a possibility, especially if they happen to be in a coastal region or a salty corrosive environment....Warranty work and contract work is the bread and butter of any service department, you can bet they don't miss an opportunity for a repair covered by the manufacturer.....In the recall they clearly state that as of 2010 they would begin changing the brake fluid and flushing the valves at the dealership....It is probable that this was done already....I would recommend to check with the dealer on the service history to see if there is a record of this having been done....If not I would have it done immediately, and have the HECU valve changed....

Now in Arizona rusting rotors is probably not a problem, but I have 2 vehicles that this happens to all the time, if one sits too long.....usually it just takes a few miles to clear it off....but sometimes if they sit for over a month, it takes reseating to get them working properly again....this is from personal experience....

The OP indicated that reduced braking capability was noticed. Rusting rotors do not cause reduced capability, in fact they usually cause the brakes to grab. The symptoms are not consistent with rusting rotors.

Yes they do in fact reduce braking effectiveness, at least temporarily....and make a scraping sound much the same as metal to metal contact.....the only difference is that it only lasts for a few miles....then the brakes return to normal....I would be happy to give a first hand demonstration....as my van has been sitting for at least a month....and before you say it, the rotors have less than 1000 miles, when both the pads and rotors were replaced....If you don't believe it, search the google....

http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2136543/rusting-brake-rotors

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/nf-2006-2010-sonata/119201-rusted-rear-rotors-normal.html

http://forums.evolutionm.net/evo-tires-wheels-brakes-suspension-sponsored-tire-rack/481709-getting-surface-rust-off-rotors.html

http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-105690.html

Thank you so much for your message. I was struck by what you said about the brakes returning to normal because that is exactly what happens. I also read up from all the sites that you posted. Will definitely have that checked out as the car sat on the dealer's lot from May through December 2012 and this was in Michigan. Definitely worth checking. Thanks so very much!!

You're quite welcome....not all rotors are created equal, some rust much quicker than others, depending on the composition of the steel.....I have ordered some zinc paint coated rotors that are supposed to resist rusting, but am waiting for the ones I have now to wear out.....keep us posted on your findings if you can manage it.....I have 2 vehicles, the Mustang gets driven the most, but the van often sits for extended periods of time....I usually run the van around the parking lot a few times braking numerous times before taking it out on the street.....to reseat the brakes I will run it up to about 60mph and just gently ride the brake pedal until it slows down to about 20mph....I'll do this several times....then do more intense stop and go from about 40 to 0, on a vacant street....this usually gets the brakes working properly....FYI

Many times dealers do not do recalls because the compensation, set by the manufacturer is "not enough" I have had many cases of having to force dealerships into honoring recalls. They would look at the car and say the car was OK when it was not. I have had to demand the company representative look at the vehicle to force the dealership to take action. This type of problem has happened with 3 separate manufacturers and dealerships.

I've had the recall - (supposedly) flushed system and replaced the brake fluid. No parts replaced. I recently had to make a quick, ABS active stop. Ever since, brake pedal is significantly lower and braking power seems slightly reduced. Pedal does not at feel like there is air in the system but the power assist may mask that. There is no sign of leakage.

Since the fluid caused corrosion in the valving, it is reasonable to suspect the problem is related to damage from the fluid?

the weather is not as important as you make it sound. stop guessing with your safety and pay a pro, fix it correctly.....fight with Hyundai after your safe.

Have you had the brake fluid drained, flushed, and replaced?

That should be on your list to do every two years. The fluid should be inspected for any metallic flakes, too.

I would start with that, have the pads and rotors inspected, and a general inspection of the system.

I'm sure it would be a good idea to flush the brake system regularly but I have never known anyone that does this(including myself). It is not in the recommended scheduled maintenance of any of my vehicles.

Perhaps, but I have personally felt the financial pain from neglect and will not repeat the experience.

I think if you look close enough to the various cars' service intervals that you will find it in there somewhere. People may have the serviced performed and not even know when they go for their regular dealer service intervals.

I think if you recheck the service record it is done every 24-36 months, depending on the usage. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and and deteriorates with moisture content. I know my Hyundai had this as a change in the service records when changing brake pads. It is a recommended service item.

I have had a Fiat with a similar issue and the brake rotors, (discs) were skimmed,(on the vehicle, no removal, only the wheel rim was removed), and the problem was solved.

The older brake fluids were hygroscopic,but the new DOT 4 is silicone based,and willl not absorb moisture.I do not know which one his car uses.

The DOT 4 brake fluids,however, will send all moisture to the lowest point in the system,causing rusting of components.

Perhaps the factory had some contaminated fluid in certain models.

Most master cylinders are sealed,with an expanding rubber bellows-type gasket under the main cover.

This allows fluid level to drop without introducing any air into the system.

Flushing the system is only a temporary fix if the system is still getting air.

Check the bellows very carefully for pinholes or cracks.

Just to be safe, I would replace it.

The rust created by moisture can migrate throughout the entire system,due to fluid exchange when applying and releasing the brakes.

Even the smallest particle can clog a master cylinder port,either on the pressure side or the return side.

I have seen brakes lock up in the braking position because the return port was clogged by debris.

I would pursue this matter diligently with the appropriate authority.

Be certain to document all interactions with the dealer in writing.

Email is a good method and provides an eternal record (unless you are, or course, the irs).

Good luck!

This has the sound of a (brand new) VW Sharan brake problem that I experienced in 2000 or 2001, till they finally fixed it.

If so it is very dangerous. I had to ban my family from driving the car. I tried to get the car replaced by VW, no go!!

It happened only when I drove fast on the Autobahn, at around 125MPH, for relatively long periods. Then, when I wanted to brake, the pedal was as hard as stone and the braking effects were minimal.

It never happened at low speeds, and only rarely happened at high speeds. Turning off the engine for 10 minutes or more would "fix" the problem.....no idea why....

VW replaced the brake booster FOUR TIMES. The failure would return within 4 weeks. Nobody could reproduce the problem at will.

Finally, a clever master mechanic replaced the brake booster and the master cylinder together, problem fixed!!

It was a diesel car, but the brake vacuum pump was never replaced....so did not play a role.

Usually such problems are fixed with a simple brake booster replacement or one of the hoses to it in my experience....

I never did find out what the actual problem was with the brake master cylinder, as the one replacement and the problem was completely fixed and it never returned....

I was very lucky that as I follow traffic from a long way back AND brake really early, I did not ram another car or take to the countryside in a BAD way.....

If I understand your post properly, you have a loss of "Brake Booster", so the brake pedal is as hard a concrete, no feel at all and only minimal braking assistance....

Is that how it is/was?

Thanks so much for the information and suggestions. My car only has 21,600 miles on it and the brake pedal does depress when I am having the problem. My car was manufactured in May of 2012 and the recall went through April of 2012. So I really have to wonder if it isn't the issue with HECU that caused the recall on other Genesis cars. I am having my son handle the issue as I am getting no where with the dealership. I have contacted NHTSA and am considering filing a complaint.

I don't think its the problem I had as the pedal is not "rock hard" as I believe most cars would be if the booster was not working.

I hope you manage to get it fixed.

Its amazing to me to read how useless some dealers are.

Document fully all discussions with the dealer (already mentioned but VERY important!), just in case your wife needs the info when you end up in a bad car crash.....

Dealership has thoroughly checked brake system and driven car over 80 miles. They think that brake pads or rotors might have had some rust and that was what I experienced. Think that must be correct as brakes worked fine after the three incidents. Thanks so much for all your input. I learned a great deal about the braking system and was able to be an intelligent consumer.