On two ocassions the light came on but went off with the next start. Now has seemed to fix itself. Has anyone experienced this as it seems quite odd. Both times road conditions were dry and at low speed.

I have had the same issue. Every so often, on a random basis, my ESC light will come on when I start my car. Occasionally it waits until I shift into gear before turning on. In both cases, the ESC OFF button doesn't do anything, but usually if I restart the car it will go away.

However, it doesn't always stop, and I will have the problem constantly for a month, then it will be fine for three months.

Since I live in Hawaii, the weather does not change dramatically, so I doubt it is related. Unfortunately, the mechanic could not recreate the problem when I had it in for 30k service, so I don't know what to do.

Does anyone have an idea?

This post has been edited by Validus: May 26 2009, 10:37 PM

In 4 years and 23k miles, it just started less than a month ago. Its an extremely important safety feature and I want to make sure its working correctly. The dealer is quite a distance. For now, I'm assuming its a transient situation unless it becomes more frequent. Thanks a lot for the reply, maybe we'll get some more input.

go to a dealer and let them check the faulty codes

sounds like the pressure sensor under the brakefluid resevoir. you can check the connector for bad connection or corrsion. its a common problem on the tuscon that the pressure sensor is bad so that is where I think the problem is.

Have not found any stored codes on my scanner, but it not being emissions related, didn't think I would. I'll check the connector and if it returns I will go to the dealer even though its an hour away and they usually have to order parts which means another trip. Thanks for the reply.

have you been at the dealer? no the codes are stored in the ABS/ESP box.

Its probably a brake lamp switch!! Its VERY common!

Shawn

Is this the same brake lamp switch that connects with the cruise control? If so, it was replaced about a year ago for a different issue. I have not got a ESC lamp in a while now so don't know if it was just erratic or what. I'll look at the switch connection, I assume its under the dash directly behind the pedal somewhere? Any idea how much they cost? If I think its the problem, I'll replace it myself as the dealer is a half-day ordeal and I'd spend that much in fuel. Thanks.

There is now a recall in effect for many Hyundai vehicles, Tuscons included, for a faulty brake light switch. If it's bad, it can cause a lot of funky problems. Check with your dealership for recall info, or search the various Hyundai message boards (including this one) concerning recalls.

Thanks, I'll look into it. Must be a voluntary recall as H has my address and I didn't receive a notice or my vehicle is outside the recall. One thing they need to improve is the quality of their sensors, all of them, every failure I've had was not mechanical but sensor or switch, sometimes 2 or 3 times before I got a good one.

The recall is not out yet! no need to call dealer they can not help you yet till the recall is posted!

Shawn

Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: APR 14, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V122000


It looks like the NHTSA has went public with the voluntary recall and lists 888-633-5151 as the Hyundai number to call for help. Do you mean the dealers are not prepared for this yet?

To save some Tucson owners time, here it is:




Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
HYUNDAI / ACCENT 2006-2007
HYUNDAI / AZERA 2007
HYUNDAI / ELANTRA 2007
HYUNDAI / ENTOURAGE 2006-2007
HYUNDAI / SANTA FE 2007
HYUNDAI / SONATA 2006-2007
HYUNDAI / TUCSON 2005-2007
HYUNDAI / VERACRUZ 2007-2008

Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: APR 14, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V122000
PE09003

NHTSA Action Number: PE09003

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE LIGHT
Potential Number of Units Affected: 531894

Summary:
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 531,894 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence:
THESE MALFUNCTIONS MY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes:
HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 092. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Its not that they are not "prepared" its that the Recall Bulletin has not been made public to the dealer. Till the Bulletin is made public the dealer CANT perform the recall! also note this is not the only recall to be posted this month. There will be four or more recalls this month.

Shawn

I talked to H customer service today and they said the recall notices for the Tucson are already being sent out in waves, with the last bunch sent prior to the end of this month. Luckily my vehicle was included in the recall so it will be nice to have this fixed. Now if they will ever recall the bad engine oil dipsticks in the 2.0, I'd be thrilled.

Here's what the dealer said about this issue. They repaired the connector at the brake pressure sensor. Anisto was correct in his diagnosis. I had checked the connection and it looked good to me? shawn4547 was also correct in that the dealers are not doing the recall yet on the brake lamp switch yet even though Hyundai is sending out the recall notices. The 800# people said since my vehicle was in the recall just take it to the dealer. I spent literally 45 minutes on the phone with the 800# person while several calls were made back and forth as to who would pay for the replacement of the switch under the recall notice. Dealer had no info on it, Hyundai said they did, it finally went to the service mgr who said since my car would be covered under the 5yr warranty and they fixed the pressure switch but wouldnt do the recall until I got a notice. What a mess and a lack of coordination between manufacturer and the dealers.