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 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving from a stop at 20 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. As a result, the contact drove over a curb and crashed into two trees. The air bags did not deploy. No police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,600.
This has been a repeated problem for a long time. Early on I would have a brake lamp light that I would be told was out. We would take the light bulb out and reinsert and it would fix the problem. We assumed it jiggled loose. Then, at a later time, I would be told that the other brake light was out, and we would repeat the process and take it apart and it would amazingly start working again. Beginning in November 2014, taking the light apart no longer fixed it, so we checked and replaced fuses and lightbulbs, but it didn't fix it. Up until this time, the right brake light would go out and then it would be the left one intermittently. …
Unable to depress brake pedal. This is the third time in twelve months that this has happened. Last May 2014 I was in grand rapids michigan going about 45 and the same thing happened I kept moving over to a clear lane on my left trying to depress the brake and had to turn into the median and do a u- turn, the car rolled to a stop. I got out and checked under the pedal and there were no obstructions. I checked the brake fluid reservoir at the master cylinder and it was full. I got back in the car and tested the brakes and found them to work. I called my Hyundai dealer and had them look the car over and they had no explanation. Yesterday I was in stop and go traffic approaching a line of traffic and the same thing happened, I did not think to use the emergency hand brake but the good news no damage. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was applied and the brakes failed to engage causing the contact to crash into a curb. The contact was not injured. In addition, the failure caused the front driver's side tire to be pushed backward. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tire arm, rim and the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,345...updated 08-26-14 updated 09/5/2014
This started about 2 months ago. While engaging the brakes at low to moderate speeds, it feels like the ABS system is engaging but the braking is weak. I have to disengage and then reengage the brakes, sometimes multiple times for them to work. Research on the web indicates this exact problem for the 2004 model year is under a recall. It needs to be extended to include the 2005 model year.
While trying to stop from less than 40 miles per hour for a light turning red the ABS came on and released the brakes making me roll through the stop light, no tickets or accidents but dang, the brake pedal pushed back applying very much less braking on dry pavement on moderate braking, I stopped in the middle of the intersection. Very very scary and potentially fatal.
When the brake is applied at low speed, the anti lock braking system clicks in, extending the stopping distance. My son drove the car and nearly crashed into another vehicle as he couldn't stop. He was driving on a city street. There is a recall for this problem # 065 on 2003-2004 model years but clearly the problem extends to 2005 model year.
Dear safercar, a letter was sent by me to Hyundai motors in regards to a safety issue with our 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The issue is that our car fails to start at various time or has engine failure while driving. We purchase this car from an elderly friend who had the car in the repair shop for the same reason we are writing this letter. She was told after all attempts at repairs that the car was not repairable and this was just a characteristic of this make and model. The response we received from Hyundai was that it is unfortunate but we should never have purchased the car from a friend and the responsibility for repairs lies with us at our expense. We feel that the issue is not our purchase but the heartless negligence of taking advantage of a 80+ year old lady, who had no one to back her up. …
When I apply the brake, it feels like the ABS on steroids kicks in, on dry pavement, (this was after I had new brakes installed) I ended up having two new sets of brakes installed. Had it to the dealership for the same issue after they put the 'factory brakes' installed for the same issue and they looked at me like I am crazy, so they greased what they could and said if it kept doing it to bring it back. This was oct 2017. It was good for a while and then started up in November and again in December about once a week. I bought a new 2018 elantra and gave the Santa Fe to my grandsons. They came over and said 'grandma, what's up with the brakes' they finally knew what I meant. When driving on dry pavement, in the city, putting on brakes coming to a light then the ABS kicks in. I put in a complaint to the consumers affairs at Hyundai. …
When pressing on the brake it vibrates and acts like something is going to brake with crunching noise sound and I literally have to take my feet off the brake. The accelerator is doing the same thing it has the same noise when pressing on it. This is something that is very dangerous and should be addressed. I have talked to two different places that fix cars and they said that they could not find anything wrong. This happens periodically when driving but it manages to do so everyday. This is puzzling to me and I feel that this problem should be addressed. Problem being checked into can save a life. Brakes and accelerator are two very dangerous problems when you driving on a street or highway. …
Brake complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe, 15% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 3 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 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.