The company last year spotted a trend in warranty claims related to the brake-pedal stopper pad. Degradation over time can cause problems with the stop-lamp switch, preventing the plunger from retracting when the driver’s foot is lifted off the pedal.
Interference with the switch plunger can cause the brake lights to remain permanently illuminated, preventing following vehicles from receiving proper signaling of brake application.
“Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal,” the recall documents add. “Either condition increases the risk of a crash.”
The 2011 Sonata had been listed in a broad recall two years ago to fix problems with the stop lamp switch itself. Conversely, the earlier glitch had prevented the brake lights from properly illuminating when the pedal was pressed. Aside from the risk of rear-end collisions from following vehicles, the malfunction also prevented drivers from disengaging cruise control via a tap on the pedal.
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