Recall 13V489 covers 43,500 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis vehicles with brake fluid that can corrode the HECU. Repair is free at any franchised Genesis dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 43,500 2009-2012 Genesis vehicles because the brake fluid does not protect the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit from corrosion. Corrosion in that module can reduce brake effectiveness and increase crash risk, and the repair will be free at a Genesis dealer once it is available.
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What's wrong?
The brake fluid in a 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis is the hydraulic liquid that carries pedal force through the brake system. It also has to protect internal brake parts from corrosion, including the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, or HECU. The HECU is the electronic and hydraulic control body that helps manage brake pressure through the vehicle's brake-control system.
On affected Genesis vehicles, the brake fluid does not provide the needed corrosion protection for the HECU. Corrosion can form inside that unit instead of being held back by the fluid. Once corrosion reaches the HECU, the brake-control hardware is no longer protected the way Hyundai designed it to be.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the problem starts with the fluid's corrosion protection inside the HECU, an owner does not get a reliable early clue from normal driving.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 Genesis model years, all tied to the hydraulic brake system.
| 2009 Hyundai Genesis | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2010 Hyundai Genesis | hydraulic brake system |
| 2011 Hyundai Genesis | hydraulic brake system |
| 2012 Hyundai Genesis | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 43,500 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Corrosion in the module can reduce brake effectiveness and increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule dealer service and avoid putting off brake-related work. Repair will be free at any franchised Genesis dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis is included in this recall.
- Check for Hyundai's owner letter before scheduling service.
- Contact a franchised Genesis dealer to ask about the free HECU inspection, module replacement if needed, and brake-fluid replacement that protects the brake control unit from corrosion.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V489 when you call.
- Call Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151 with questions and reference recall number 13V489 (Hyundai recall 114) when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Genesis technician inspects the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, or HECU, to confirm it operates properly. If the module shows a problem, the technician replaces it. The technician also replaces the factory brake fluid on vehicles that have not already had that fluid changed. The dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN, with parts and labor covered under recall 13V489.
Timeline
| October 29, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 24, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V489?
Recall 13V489 covers 43,500 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis vehicles with brake fluid that does not protect the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit from corrosion. If the module corrodes, braking effectiveness can be reduced and crash risk increases. Hyundai dealers inspect the HECU, replace it when needed, and replace factory brake fluid for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V489. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and ask for recall 114 service. The dealer inspects the HECU, replaces the module when needed, and replaces factory brake fluid at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost, and Hyundai's remedy says these repairs are free. The dealer inspection, needed HECU replacement, and factory brake-fluid replacement are covered under recall 13V489.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking effectiveness if corrosion affects the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit. That loss of braking performance increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free recall service with a franchised Hyundai dealer and reference recall 13V489 or Hyundai recall 114.
What if I bought my Hyundai Genesis used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner, so a used 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis remains eligible if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call a Hyundai dealer with recall 13V489 or Hyundai recall 114.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V489000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-800-633-5151 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V489 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V489000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →