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 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While dragging the trash can back to the house, I was approaching fence in front of the house, at a slow speed, as I applied the brakes the car started to accelerate. Pressing down harder on the brakes ,it felt like stepping on a brick, with no braking taking place the car accelerated at a high rate. At this time the car crashed into the left side of the garage and continued into the cement porch taking out the fence, fill tube, and vent tube of the oil tank. At this time I push gear shift into N and turned off the engine. At this time there is damage done to house and car is now totaled with no injuries. Hate to think what would have happened if this happened at the major 4 lane intersection 1 mile from my home.
Shortly after having a complete brake overhaul (rotors, calipers, pads, shoes, etc) started experiencing the ABS/trac control lights randomly coming on and off. Had to mechanic and found no fault issues. Lights continued to randomly come on and off, at different speeds and braking. Shortly thereafter, started hearing the ABS motor run with and without the lights coming on. Tapping the brake pedal stopped the ABS motor/pump from running and would eliminate what appeared to be eliminated the pump resetting itself. Approximately 3 months ago, the issue affected braking distances, in hat you May be stopping at a light or stop sign and the ABS motor would activate, even on dry pavement and significantly increase stopping distance. This has almost caused an accident on multiple occasions, not only with other vehicles but when pulling the car into my, or a shops' garage. …
In reference to another complaint, 10670197: the ABS tone rings, the toothed wheels on the end of the axle, rust and crack. This is what causes the intermittent pump activation and unsafe braking condition. I too have noticed that this situation has caused recalls on newer vehicles but not the 2002. This May be due to the fact that the ABS was introduced late in 2002 and May be 2003 equipment.
At low speeds the brakes lock up and the car goes into a jerking motion while approaching a stop light and while going into a store parking lot. The car is hard to steer and stop and the brakes must be depressed harder than normally required. This happens when the car gets wet but also during dry times. The ABS light has been coming on.
Purchased "new" it took over six hours to deliver the vehicle on site. 1.)the "security system failed returned to jim ellis; "no correction" to date. 2.)several other defects existed: battery failed leaving me stranded at least twice, brakes ware quickly and repeatedly require repairs, heated seats on at "all" times, the temperature remains on "celsius" rather than on than "fereinheight" temperatures, clock won't set to current month,date, year. 3.)the 10 year;100 mile warranty is disregarded/minimized; from 24,000 miles. 4.) while in for defect review; the car has been returned to me from 2 dealerships with "dings" up and down the side; dents on corners(physical damage). In addition repairs weren't made and managers looked the "other way" and failed to return calls or respond to letters. …
The ABS system light has turned on. It happened before the above date, stopped coming on, and now has returned. I put brake fluid in the little compartment under the hood. The light goes out temporarily. Pep boys told me the problem is ABS related. Also, a very costly job. The car also has a problem accepting gas. I have been told that the gas May be pouring into the tank too fast at the station and splashing on the side of the tank making the pump think it is full. Pep boys told me that it is a problem with evaporation and that it is a very costly job of roughly 1000.00. America should be a more ethical and moral country. The consumer should not be "ripped off"" after choosing to purchase a used vehicles. Foreign cars should not be allowed into this country when they have defects. …
On 6/17/14 my cars front right wheel fell off. I found two recalls on the internet for the front and rear suspension system. The car was towed/repaired for 782.00. In July 2014, Hyundai made an inspection of the work. I asked for reimbursement for the recall but was declined as not being within a campaign. Recently, the rear brakes, rotors, and caliper were replaced (for the second time). .afterward, a noise I heard became louder. On 8/11/16 the noise was diagnosed. It was found that new shocks were needed, and "rear passenger lower control arm is starting to rot from rust and cause noise." I was told to have it repaired by Hyundai. I bought the car from national auto sales in glassboro, nj. Hyundai apparently did not know I am the owner of the car, and I never received any recall notices from Hyundai. The vehicle has had engine and sensor problems and many others. …
2002 Hyundai Santa Fe gls. When moderately braking to slow down to exit the interstate the car rapidly decelerated and vibrated violently. Pulled over and could not get the car to go over 20 MPH. My initial impression was that the transmission was failing. This happened randomly on several occasions. The 2nd time it occurred I had the car towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer. Dealer could find nothing wrong with the vehicle. I drove the car back without incident and dropped it off at the Hyundai dealer that sold me the car. They had the vehicle for several days before they could reproduce the problem. The diagnosis was a faulty brake system master cylinder and proportioning valve. Cost of the repair was over $500. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 30 MPH down a slight decline, pressure was applied to the brakes and she heard a grinding sound. The brakes did not function and after repeated pressure to the emergency brake he was able to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred intermittently and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure became progressively worse over time and began to recur more frequently. The vehicle was taken to various authorized dealers and independent mechanics who were unable to diagnose the failure. Both the front and rear brakes have been replaced but the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. On May 27, 2008, while driving between 1-20 MPH, the ABS light illuminated and the vehicle would not stop. The contact was able to avoid crashing several times by applying the hand brake. On June 17, 2005, she took the vehicle to the dealer for NHTSA campaign id number 04V131000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module); however, they could not duplicate the failure in the 2002 model. The manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle back to the dealer for a diagnosis. The contact will take the vehicle back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 50,744 and current mileage was 115,864.
Brake complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe, 13% of the model year's 165 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires 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.