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 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 25 MPH the braking system malfunctioned and when depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not reduce speed or stop causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the rear driver-side passenger sustained a lacerated bottom lip and dental and oral injuries. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for the same failure by the local mechanic. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
This vehicle was driven approx. 1/2 mile from home when power steering and brakes failed. It was pulled off of the road and stopped with the emergency brake. Immediately flames shot up the windshield. The entire interior was completely destroyed as well 3/4 of the exterior.
The problem started December 27, 2004 as I was pulling up a private drive and attempting to stop my sante Fe. As I approached the top of the drive I applied braking, my vehicle slowed and came close to what I thought would be a full stop when the ABS brake system suddenly activated. I held the brake pedal down but the braking distance increased and it was then that it made contact with a parked truck. The vehicles hit front bumper to front bumper. Fortunately no one was injured but both vehicles were damaged from the impact. My vehicle had been recalled previously for a problem with the ABS brakeswhich, according to the recall noticewere prone to unexpectedly activate at low speeds. I had other two incidents before the recall notice in which this same type of unexpected ABS activation had occurredboth at under 5 MPH and when the vehicle was near stopped. …
Brake failure of my 2004 Hyundai, Santa Fe. The car had 1,940 miles on it at the time of the incident. I braked, to stop behind a car that was stopped for another car turning left. The brake pedal went to the floor and my car rolled into the stopped car. Hyundai is denying there is anything wrong with the car! I have been without a car for a month now (without a rental car due to the fact they can find nothing wrong) and they tell me, to pursue the cause of the failure, will take up to two months. One of the three dealer mechanics that looked at the car told me they had this happen before (brake failure, and could find nothing wrong then either). After checking the NHTSA website, I find 4 other brake failure complaints similar to mine since October 8th of 2003, with Hyundai denying there is any problem with the cars. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving at a low speed, the brake pedal vibrated and made an abnormal sound. There were no warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the stopping distance was extended and nearly struck another vehicle. The contact searched online for recalls and found NHTSA campaign number: 04V131000 (service brakes). The vehicle was not included in the recall notification. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for his VIN and recommended that the contact call his local dealer. The contact called the local dealer (schimmer Ford Lincoln Hyundai of peru, 911 shooting park rd, peru, il, 61354, [phone]) and was informed that there was no open recall on the vehicle. The dealer also stated that unless the manufacturer was going to reimburse their services, no further assistance would be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. While the vehicle was undergoing an alignment, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the front coil springs were rusted, fractured, and needed to be replaced. In addition, the ABS warning indicator illuminated, there was an abnormal noise, and the vehicle was unstable when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to cautiously apply the brake pedal and, at times, depress the brake pedal with force to ensure that the vehicle would stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V435000 (suspension) and 04V131000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the manufacturer issued three tsbs for the brakes and three tsbs for the suspension. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
Three months ago, while I was fully stopped at an intersection with my foot on the brakes, my 2004 Santa Fe suddenly revved up and surged forward, colliding with the car in front of me. This had happened once before (without a collision) and the dealer stated "no problem found." it has now been in the shop three months, and the dealer still states "no problem found." I contacted Hyundai consumer affairs who wrote me back stating they had concluded that there was no defect which caused this problem (they never inspected it, however). The car is being traded in; the dealer is being generous on the trade allowance. However, Hyundai still maintains there is no problem and I am told the car will go to auction. Hyundai motor America has taken no action to investigate this serious safety defect.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 3 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle crashed into a 7-eleven store. The driver and customers were uninjured. The vehicle has not been towed to the dealer. A police report was filed. The front end of the vehicle sustained cosmetic damage. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V131000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module). The dealer also informed the contact to have the vehicle towed to their establishment so they could inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were 59,000.
In September 2015 I began to have issues with the anti-lock braking system. The anti-lock brakes engage with no notice. It can be perfectly dry outside and suddenly they connect and start grinding. It can happen at any time, even when the brakes are not applied, with no warning, but almost always when I'm slowing down to less than 5 miles an hour. I have contacted Hyundai, but they claim there is no recall for this issue on this model, though there is a recall for this exact problem on other Hyundai models. If the anti lock system engages suddenly at higher speeds (which it does) this could cause an accident. The problem is getting progressively worse and now happens every time I drive the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 5 MPH she applied pressure to the brake pedal but the vehicle would not stop until crashing into another vehicle. After crashing, she shifted the vehicle into park. Once the vehicle was in park the engine began to exhibit an abnormal increase in rpms and the engine roared extremely loudly until she removed the key out of the ignition. The police appeared on the scene but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 70,600.
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 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe, 14% of the model year's 303 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 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 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 34% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 2 fires and 4 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.