Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The vehicle had previously been serviced by the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V520000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, after the recalls were repaired, the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to park the vehicle outside as a precaution. The dealer informed the contact that they would call back to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no open recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated he took the vehicle to the dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the knock sensor detected a failure and shifted the vehicle into SAFE mode. The manufacturer was contacted by the dealer. The dealer was asked to continue performing tests on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 71,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, after the recall repair was performed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer was made aware of the failure but informed her that she needed to pay out-of-pocket for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 84,882.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,646
Driving on freeway and noticed smoke. Realized I needed to pull over and brakes weren't working. Off ramp was at an incline so car came to a stop just in time to get toddler and myself out of vehicle. Car was on fire.
Put in reverse to move backwards 5 feet or so the vehicle kept going and moving faster I applied the brake and hitting the brakes as well I didn't wonna hit the parked cars behind me so I put in park thinking that will also help stop the vehicle nothing worked it only stopped after hitting my other car that was parked on the street I tried everything to stop it it just took off I came out a beautiful morning to change the radiator it was dripping from the bottom I purchased a new one I put the car front wheels on ramps to look underneath to see what sockets I needed I got in vehicle just to lower off ramps backing down slow foot covering brake once the car touch ground it accelerated not fast but wouldn't stop it happened so fast but I applied the emergency brake its moving faster applying the brake as well im looking in the mirror at wants behind me as well I put in park thinking that …
For a few months- the ABS light, Downhill assist light, and Slippery road light have all been on. Read it could be due to a bad sensor. Then on Saturday July 4th, I turned the car on and the Ebrake light was on but my ebrake was NOT initiated. Car was making a low humming noise on front passenger side of vehicle as well. I read the ebrake light could come on due to low brake fluid, so I wanted to drive it around the block to further try and diagnose the issue. My car then made a pop noise and started smoking from where the ABS pump is located and my tail lights all started flickering like Christmas lights. I instantly turned the car off and disconnected the battery to prevent an electrical fire. UPON researching- there is a recall for 2015 Santa Fe's for this exact issue except mine isn't on the list. …
I bought the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe yesterday evening. Upon leaving the dealership I promptly broke for a car in front of me. Immediately the vehicle turned off completely. I put the vehicle in the park and attempted to start the vehicle back up. The vehicle would not start up and begin leaking a prominent scent. Following this, white smoke with the same pungent smell was coming from the engine. I propped the hood and saw the smoke continue to release. I then motioned away from the vehicle and called for a tow truck. The car is now being inspected by the dealership I purchased it from the same day. I believe this is related to the NHTSA recall on 2010-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, recall date 09/22/2023, recall number 21V303000, and Hyundai Safety Recall 251s Anti-Lock Braking System Fuse Replace. …
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer had been notified twice about the recall however, the contact was informed that the dealer was unaware of the recall. The manufacturer had been notified twice about the recall and provided a case number each time. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact co-owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V358000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete.
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
Brake complaints in other Santa Fe Sport years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 27% of the model year's 84 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-303 (control unit/module, Apr 28, 2021); NHTSA recall 20V-520 (control unit/module, Aug 27, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.