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 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the ABS system activated, and there was an abnormal shuddering in the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was in a minor accident when the braking system failed on my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. I could not stop the SUV and ran into a guardrail . I could have been hurt or killed because of this. Others could have been hurt or killed. The dealership in beaver falls, pa has done nothing for the problem and I have brought it in and they said that my model is not affected which I find that very hard to believe. I am selling the car but I also want to let someone know that I am taking it to the dealer in the morning to get the coil recalls done. If the dealer decides not to do that either and with the air bag problem someone is going to get hurt or maybe killed driving this car and I just want to do my part and I do not want a law suit on my shoulders. I will give them one more chance to do the right thing. …
Today 6/17 I was driving at speed limit, everything was fine just like a regular rainy day, I was braking like a should with time and distance. I come to a stop light and then continue, I started to feel that the car would suddenly slow down by itself like if it was braking on its own,and stopped in the middle of the street, the car was stuck the brakes were engaged and would not release. The ABS and TCS off lights stayed on and my car was no longer operational. I purchased this car on 8/11/14 Santa Fe VIN#[redacted] year 2003(odometer reader 1100311) model Santa Fe gls/xl. They even sold me an extended warranty for 24 month. At hub Hyundai 17007 katy freeway, katy, tx 77094. I need to know if there has been a recall for this issue for this year model. My car was towed and now sitting in my driveway with locked breaks. I greatly appreciate your help with this issue. [redacted]
While driving to work , vehicle in front of me stopped abruptly , I stepped hard on the brake pedal I was going approx. 30 MPH, the brake pedal pulsated ( ABS activating) for a second or 2 and stopped ,and the brake pedal suddenly sank to the floor,the vehicle kept going, I pulled the emergency brake to try to stop , but it was too late I ran into the vehicle in front of me causing considerable damage to both vehicles. I contacted Hyundai dealer and was told it is not a defect and also is not under warranty. I now have to have the car fixed at my own expense. I feel a recall by Hyundai should be initiated since this seems to be common defect, please help!
Dt: contact stated the rubber on the brake pedal came off, and because it was not their the contact daughter's foot slipped off and she hit the car in front. This happened on 9-16-05. The contact was not aware that it had come off. She was going approximately 35-40 MPH. There was property damage. This is a brand new vehicle. The dealer said they never had such problems. The dealership told the contact to call the consumer center, and they referred her to the NHTSA safety hot line.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving at various speeds, a loud abnormal noise emitted from all of the tires and the brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake sliders needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
While driving the brakes failed. Upon applying the brakes, the vehicle continued to coast, the first time this happened. The second time this happened, it resulted in an accident. The consumer contacted the dealer, and was told that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. A third time resulted in an accident, and the air bag did not deploy. The consumer was injured, and the vehicle was totaled.
While driving the brakes failed. Upon applying the brakes vehicle continued to coast. However, it happened again, and an accident occurred. Contacted the dealer, and was told there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. It happened a third time which LED to another accident, and the air bags did not deploy. Consumer was injured, and the vehicle was totaled.
Vehicle has had a high pitched whine at 35 MPH, coasting, accelerating, or braking. Noticeable to all drivers/passengers, but not to dealer technician/service manager. Have had it in three times with no condition found. As time goes by I am noticing that along with the noise, the brakes feel weak and I need only move my ankle without taking my foot off the pedal and the vehicle will move. On two separate occaisions when the vehicle was parked in my driveway for an extended period in the rain, it would not stop as I backed out of my driveway. I reprorted it to Hyundai, and went back to dealer to have it checked and was told (without looking at the car) by dealer service manager that there was nothing wrong with it and I am wasting their time and would have to pay to have it examined. …
Check engine light was displayed. While driving at a low speed toward a red traffic light, I applied the brakes with no results. The pedal went all the way to the floor. Released, re-applied - still no brakes. This failure resulted in the car crashing into the vehicle ahead of it that was waiting at the red stop light. Brought the vehicle into the dealer. They could not find any problems. I was charged .5 labor hours ($46.50) and sent on my way with no resolution or explanation of what caused the loss of brakes and resulting accident. On this same service day, after consulting with Hyundai consumer affairs, I brought the vehicle to a 2nd Hyundai dealer for a second opinion/inspection. I was charged another $19.95 but again, service could not identify a problem. …
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5 liter v-6 engines, 4-wheel drive and antilock braking systems (ABS), if the brake pedal is depressed at speeds between 3 and 12 MPH when the brake pad friction surfaces are wet, a vibration May occur between the brake discs and pads causing ABS sensor electronic signal noise…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ABS ECU. Owner notification began on March 24, 2004. Owners should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Brake complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, 14% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-131 (control unit/module, Mar 16, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.