Genesis Brake Issues being Probed

Looks like the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the brake issue with our Genesis'.

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/u-safety-regulators-probe-hyundai-genesis-brake-issues-130855362--sector.html

U.S. safety regulators probe Hyundai Genesis for brake issues
Reuters

DETROIT (Reuters) - U.S. safety regulators have opened an investigation into an estimated 40,000 Hyundai Genesis cars from model year 2009 in the United States for potential brake problems.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary evaluation after receiving 23 consumer complaints alleging reduced brake effectiveness, according to documents filed online. Several complaints said the problem was diagnosed as a faulty antilock brake system module.

In one complaint NHTSA received, a consumer in Florida alleged that her brakes did not work, resulting in a crash into another vehicle stopped at a red light. In another complaint, the consumer reported responding to the same problem by using the parking brake, losing control of the vehicle.

A spokesman for Hyundai Motor Co said the automaker is investigating the issue and will cooperate fully with the NHTSA.

A preliminary evaluation is the first step in a process that could lead to a recall should regulators determine that a safety issue needs to be addressed by a manufacturer.

(Reporting by Ben Klayman; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

God Bless this forum and its members. I think this investigation will end up saving lives, which would not have happened without this forum and its members.

I would also like to thank Sal, the owner of this forum and website, who I am pretty sure was under pressure to delete posts regarding the brake issue.

Anyone who has had this problem and not filed a complaint with the NHTSA, should do so now:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

There is power in numbers. There is also power when dealing with bad PR

It is now official recall.

http://bostonherald.com/business/automotive/2013/10/hyundai_to_recall_genesis_cars_to_fix_brakes

DETROIT — Hyundai decided to recall about 27,500 Genesis luxury cars Monday, just a few hours after the U.S. government opened an investigation into problems with their brakes.

Dealers will change brake fluid in the cars and inspect the electronic brake control modules to see if they need to be replaced. Johnson said fluid in the cars doesn't have a corrosion inhibitor. As a result, a gel can build up on valves in the braking system, causing a loss of brakes.

The new fluid will have a corrosion inhibitor additive, Johnson said. Any brake control modules with gel on the valves will be replaced, he said. "We will take care of the customer on this deal," he said.

Click to expand...

MozartMan said:

It is now official recall.

http://bostonherald.com/business/automotive/2013/10/hyundai_to_recall_genesis_cars_to_fix_brakes

Click to expand...

The recall is to replace the brake fluid with DOT-4. But that will probably not reverse any ABS module corrosion that has already occurred. Members who have encountered brake failure, have reported that after a brake fluid change, additional intermittent brake failure problems occurred, which were not fixed permanently until the ABS module was replaced. Hopefully the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will figure this problem out.

While we Canadians wait patiently, ( and stupidly ), for Canada to act.

Waki said:

While we Canadians wait patiently, ( and stupidly ), for Canada to act.

Click to expand...

I would contact your dealer about the brake fluid change. The situation is fluid and the dealer may know something before all owners are notified.

I guess my concern is one of the uncertainty that this issue causes me while driving.

I am the second owner of a 2009 4.6 tech. 62,500 miles...bought at 57,000 in July 2013. Had it to the dealer for one last grandious check prior to warranty running out (100K does not transfer, as you know.) While in, they did the DOT4 replacement.

I personally have never experienced the brake failure issue. However, I drive in an urban environment where traffic runs from 0-70-0 in short spaces. Were a failure to occur, I'd be in trouble...

While it's true that I could drop $2,300 for a new ABS module, then I would know for sure.

Alternatively, I could sell the car, although I wonder what this announcement has done to the cars value. I'd be happy to get out of it for $19k. Not sure that would happen.

I'm hoping that as a part of this process, that the end result is a program to replace all ABS modules on all Genesis' originally fitted with DOT3. Obviously, this could be a big ticket for Hyundai, but so could a class action lawsuit...

ejohanss said:

I'm hoping that as a part of this process, that the end result is a program to replace all ABS modules on all Genesis' originally fitted with DOT3. Obviously, this could be a big ticket for Hyundai, but so could a class action lawsuit...

Click to expand...

A lot of us are in the same situation, waiting for the NHTSA to figure out if the older ABS control units are in any danger of failing, even after the DOT-4 fluid replacement. As you suggest, it may take a class action lawsuit to resolve it, but not sure the economics of that relative to the number of Genesis sedans affected and whether any law firms would pursue it.