Hyundai Tucson class action overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Dennis Sperling filed a class action lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America.
- Why: Sperling alleges Hyundai sold Tucson SUVs with defective automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems.
- Where: The Hyundai Tucson class action was filed in California federal court.
A new class action lawsuit filed against Hyundai Motor America alleges the automaker sold Tucson SUVs with defective automatic emergency braking systems.
Plaintiff Dennis Sperling claims Hyundai’s automatic emergency braking systems have a defect that causes them to falsely engage randomly, causing sudden, unintended braking.
The alleged sudden unintended braking defect causes the vehicles to detect obstacles that are not actually present, automatically triggering the brakes and causing the cars to abruptly slow down or come to a complete stop, sometimes in the middle of traffic, Sperling claims.
He further alleges the defect can startle and distract drivers by activating sudden, blaring visual and audible alerts even when no obstacles are on the road, creating a safety hazard even if the brakes do not engage.
As a result, Sperling contends Hyundai’s automatic emergency braking systems function as a safety hazard rather than a safety feature.
Class action: Hyundai knew about braking defect and did nothing
Sperling alleges both Hyundai and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have received numerous complaints about sudden unintended braking in the vehicles at issue.
He claims Hyundai was aware of the problem before bringing the vehicles to market, asserting the automaker knew the AEB systems were prone to unintended activation.
Sperling seeks to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased or leased a 2025 Hyundai Tucson equipped with an AEB system. He brings claims under California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act as well as for breach of implied warranty and unjust enrichment.
The plaintiff seeks certification of the class action, an order requiring Hyundai to implement a service campaign to deactivate the AEB system or replace it with a safe alternative, an order requiring Hyundai to publicize the full extent of its knowledge about the defect, an order reforming Hyundai’s warranty to ensure that dealerships will repair the defect for free and an award of damages and restitution for himself and the class members.
In another class action, Hyundai was recently sued over allegations it sold more than 500,000 Palisade vehicles equipped with defective third-row side curtain airbags.
What do you think of the allegations made in this Hyundai class action lawsuit? Join the discussion in the comments.
Sperling is represented by Joel D. Smith and Yeremey O. Krivoshey of Smith Krivoshey P.C. and Philip J. Furia of Furia Law LLC.
The Hyundai Tucson class action lawsuit is Sperling v. Hyundai Motor America, Case No. 8:26-cv-00410, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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68 thoughts onHyundai class action alleges Tucson SUVs have defective braking systems
I have a 2025 Hyundai Tuscon. I have now had two scary incidents involving the brakes, and I only now have 5,800 miles on it.
The first incident I was driving on a four lane highway, with the speed limit being 40 mph. My vehicle abruptly slammed on the brakes making me come to a full stop. There was no need or reason for it; but also, the abrupt full stop was more dangerous! It was a miracle that I did not get rear ended! Unfortunately I did suffer from severe back pain for several days afterward, and am still very nervous of it happening again.
The second incident was while I was driving on a two lane road, and I went to press the brake to slow down in preparation of turning on to a different road. The brake pedal felt stuck. I had to press hard, felt the pedal ‘let go’, and was then able to brake as needed to make a safe turn. That also was a scary feeling not being able to brake when/how I expected.
I called the dealership and was told they had never heard of either of those brake issues, and wouldn’t be able to do anything if there was no code or if they couldn’t duplicate the same vehicle brake issues while driving it.
I have a brand new car that I don’t have confidence in the brakes.
Please add me to the class action lawuit.
I have a 2025 Tuscon Hybrid Limited and this car has repeatedly applied the brakes to a complete stop in a variety of situations. I have been documenting each occurence of the automatic braking malfunction (I have a very detailed spreadsheet). I am up to 10 (ten) incidents. I bought the car in December 2024. The car has 14,000 miles as of late April 2026. I was hit in the rear end once because of this unexepected automatic braking ($800 in repairs to my car, fortunately no damage to the car that hit me. The other driver was totally confused as to why I slammed on my brakes). I’ve taken the car to the dealer, they couldn’t replicate the problem or generate an error code, so they won’t perform any diagnostic work under warranty. I’ve been in contact with Hyundai Motor America regarding this issue (I have a case number)… so far all I have heard are soft assurances that they are listening to me. I have filed a report with the NHTSA for each of the 10 incidents. I’ve told Hyundai that my expectation are 1) fix the software problem driving this issue, 2) have them diagnose the safety system components at their expense, and 3) as a final resort they can make me an offer to buy back this car with “minimal” depreciation. Right now, I am waiting on my Hyundai Motor National Consumer Affairs rep to get back to me…. he has supposedly sent all my documentation to their legal department. I have little hope that Hyundai will step up and fix this issue. I would truly like to keep the car as we love everything about it except for the constant fear of having the car slam on the brakes at the wrong time.
One more important note. We have gotten into the habit of disabling the FCA system in the safety settings menu every time we start the car. I’m using a notification feature on my iPhone which verbally reminds me to “Turn Off FCA, Turn OFF FCA” whenever Car Play is initiated. This trick works great.
HOWEVER….. this 2025 Hyundai Tucson has applied the automatic brakes to a full stop 4 TIMES EVEN WITH THE FCA DISABLED. This raises another set of concerns but only for someone who chooses to continue driving this car without a proper fix.
Happened to me going 65 mph on the NJ Turnpike and other times as well with no other car near me.
I own a 2026 Hyundai Tuscon Unlimited Hybrid purchased in June, 2025. Just had braking issue as I write this on Chicago Freeway.
Coorwction: 2025 Hyundai Tucson Unlimited Hybrid.
Please add me to this class action lawsuit. I own a 2025 Hyundai Tucson Limited Hybrid purchased in October, 2025. Severe phantom braking problems. Unable to disable this “feature” in the vehicle settings.