Hyundai Sonata Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(2,274)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(2,274)

Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection Service

How much does a Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Hyundai Sonata Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2014 Hyundai SonataL4-2.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2009 Hyundai SonataV6-3.3LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2021 Hyundai SonataL4-2.5LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2016 Hyundai SonataL4-2.0L TurboService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2001 Hyundai SonataL4-2.4LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
2000 Hyundai SonataV6-2.5LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2020 Hyundai SonataL4-2.0L HybridService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2011 Hyundai SonataL4-2.4LService typeBrake fluid is black or brown InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Hyundai Sonata Brake fluid is black or brown Inspection prices

Your car requires several different fluids in order to operate. Engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and coolant are all essential. Another important one is brake fluid. Like other fluids, your brake fluid will deteriorate over time and eventually need to be replaced with a brake system flush. If you’ve noticed that your brake fluid appears black or brown, it’s well past time for a service.

How this system works:

Your brakes are operated by fluid pressure. The master cylinder and brake booster work to create pressure, which is then directed to the moving parts of the system (the calipers and shoe actuators). In a normal system, the brake fluid is clear or very light gold in color. This is true whether your car requires DOT 3, 4 or 5 brake fluid.

Brake fluid is held in the master cylinder reservoir, but it is also stored in the brake lines that run from the master cylinder to each wheel. You have two types of brake lines – steel and rubber. Over time and through normal use, brake fluid becomes contaminated. This happens on all vehicles, even brand new ones.

It requires only a couple of years for the fluid to build up enough contaminants that the color begins to change. It will darken over time, changing from clear/golden to a darker gold. In severe situations, your brake fluid may appear to be brown, or even black (think used engine oil).

It’s important that your brake fluid is changed regularly, before it turns brown or black. Very dark colors indicate that your fluid has collected a significant amount of contamination, and might have absorbed moisture, as well. This reduces the system’s ability to build pressure, which compromises your braking performance. You may have noticed that your brake pedal feels softer, or spongy. In serious situations, you may have to pump the pedal a couple of times for it to work properly.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Normal Aging Gone to the Extreme: The most common reason that brake fluid appears brown or black is that normal aging has gone unchecked (you haven’t had the fluid changed in too long). Contaminants collect in the fluid, darkening the color and reducing its ability to work.

  • Moisture Contamination: Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This generally occurs by rubber brake lines allowing moisture to seep in. When moisture accumulates in brake fluid, it causes problems in a couple of ways. Water has a much lower boiling point than brake fluid, and can reach very high temperatures at the calipers and drums. This causes the water to flash boil into steam, causing the brake fluid to darken, but also creating air in the lines. This can cause a soft pedal, or even cause you to have to pump the brake pedal to get the system to work properly.

  • Deteriorating Rubber Lines: The rubber brake lines on your car will eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced. Brake fluid is also corrosive, and while the lines are designed to withstand that corrosion, they’ll eventually begin to break down. Microscopic pieces of rubber and chemicals leaching out of the lines into the fluid will also cause it to darken.

  • Normal Heating: Brake fluid is heated by contact with the calipers, and this heat creates a chemical change in the fluid, adding to the darkening created by moisture and other types of contamination.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office and visually inspect your brake fluid’s condition, the master cylinder and the rest of the system to determine if the problem is simply due to normal age and wear/tear. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will inspect the master cylinder, lines and other brake system components. The mechanic will also determine how long it has been since your brake fluid was last changed, and may need to perform a brake fluid flush to remove the contaminated, old fluid and replace it with fresh, clean fluid.

How important is this service?

Brake fluid darkens as it ages – it’s natural, and due to normal contamination that occurs in all brake systems. However, it must be changed regularly, or you risk reduced braking performance and the deterioration or damage of other brake system components. One of our professional mechanics can inspect your system, change your fluid, and ensure that you enjoy the safety you deserve on the road.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Hyundai mechanics

Real customer reviews from Hyundai owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(2,274)

Rating Summary
2,138
78
16
7
35
2,138
78
16
7
35

Ben

29 years of experience
59 reviews
Ben
29 years of experience
Hyundai Sonata V6-3.3L - Alternator - Powder Springs, Georgia
Very knowledgeable and got the job done in a timely matter. Also let me know about other services my car will need!

Maxwell

18 years of experience
390 reviews
Maxwell
18 years of experience
Hyundai Sonata L4-2.4L - Car is not starting - Humble, Texas
Maxwell did an awesome job. He is very knowledgeable and skilled.

Colin

27 years of experience
117 reviews
Colin
27 years of experience
Hyundai Sonata L4-2.4L - Brake Pads Replacement (Rear) - Clearwater, Florida
Did a great job.

Jason

17 years of experience
429 reviews
Jason
17 years of experience
Hyundai Sonata L4-2.4L - Brake Pads Replacement (Front) - Dublin, California
Jason was on time and very thorough. Despite being called for front brakes, he also rotated my tires free of charge. I will definitely be using YourMechanic in the future.

Excellent Rating

(2,274)

Rating Summary
2,138
78
16
7
35
2,138
78
16
7
35
Number of Hyundai Sonata services completed
25014+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Hyundai MECHANICS
1300+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Can I Drive with Damaged or Missing Mirrors?
It’s critical that you’re able to see behind and beside you while driving. This is accomplished by using the rearview mirror, or one of...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2013 Infiniti JX35
Designed Designed for those who need plenty of seating capacity but don’t want to drive a minivan, the 2013 Infiniti JX35 hits the mark for luxury vehicles in its class. With innovations that chosen for their convenience and safety, this...
How to Stay Safe While Driving on the Highway
Highway driving requires preparation, practice, and respect. All drivers should know the safety basics for your own wellbeing and others on the road.

Ticking noise coming from the driver's side of the engine

Often, that would be lifters making a noise. So, the first thing you'd want to do is get some good engine oil flush (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-it-mean-to-flush-fluids-in-a-car) and have the engine flushed out, and then change the oil and filter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/change-oil-and-filter). A lot...

Squealing coming from brake power booster/check valve?

Hello - your problem sounds like a failed vacuum or fresh air valve in the power brake booster, or possibly a ruptured diaphragm in the booster. And, you are correct that this failure will not lose brake fluid. I would...

High pitch squeal

Hello, thank you for writing in. If the issue is related to the drive belts (which are commonly known for excess squealing sounds when needed maintenance), then you would likely be able to hear it better from outside of the...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com