Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH with adaptive cruise control mode, the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond when depressing the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal. Additionally, the adaptive cruise control mode was no longer operable. The contact stated that she noticed that the adaptive cruise control mode stopped functioning when the electronic stability control warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. They associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V122000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000. …
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds with the cruise control activated, the cruise control failed to disengage when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact pulled over, placed the vehicle in neutral, and restarted the vehicle for the cruise control to disengage. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed, but the brake lights failed to illuminate. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V122000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was 82,500. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while coming to a stop, the contact was informed by another driver that while coming to a stop the brake lights were inoperable. The contact was informed that the brake lights failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, he was informed that the brake lights were inoperable. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the turn signal indicators and the cruise control feature would not operate when needed. In addition, the ECM warning indicator illuminated when the failures occurred. Also, when the contact replaced the rear passenger side turn signal bulb, the rear driver side bulb also failed to operate. Furthermore, the contact stated that both brake lights began to fail after the bulbs were replaced. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ECM failed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting), which listed the same failures she was experiencing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 185,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the driver following behind the contact informed her that the brake lamps were not illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle and observed the brake lamps failed when the brake pedal was depressed. Also, the cruise control failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch band failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While attempting to shift the vehicle into drive from the park position, the vehicle would not shift. While at a completed stop, the contact was informed by another motorist that the vehicle's brake lights were not illuminating. The contact also stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic), 09V122000 (service brakes, hydraulic) or 11V472000 (air bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Bought the car used, 2007 Santa Fe with 71K miles on it. 2 months after I got the vehicle, the ESC off light started intermittently coming on. Then one day it stayed on and that same day the check engine light came on. I noticed the next day that my brake lights would not come on when pressing the brake and that my cruise control would not engage at all. The ESC off light will not be on when I first get in the car, but the minute I hit the brakes, it comes on and stays on. Ever since the first day the check engine light came on, it has stayed on since. I believe this May be part of an earlier recall, but my specific vehicle did not fall under that recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the brake ESC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter failed to go into reverse or park and the ESC brake light illuminated. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The headlghts on low beam block out the top 1/3 of the headlight beam and 2/3 of the headlight beam when the car is going down hill. This eyebrow effect is not showing when the high beams are on. In addition when the low beams are in use, the myvision on both sides of the car is blocked out. This seems to be a common complaint which Hyundai will not address claming there is no fix since the lights are performing as designed. At this point in time they do not offer a remady. This eyebrow effect appears when the car is stationary or in motion but only on the low beams.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Hyundai is recalling 532,633 my 2006-2007 accent, entourage, sonata, my 2007 azera, elantra and santa fe, my 2005-2007 tucson and my 2007-2008 veracruz vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles May malfunction.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2009. Owners May contact the Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Headlight complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the lights of the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, 7% of the model year's 684 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-113 (switch, Apr 1, 2013); NHTSA recall 09V-122 (switch, Apr 15, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.