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 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, when he lost control of the vehicle and multiple warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to park on the side of the road, he saw smoke entering the AC vents. The contact and his son (front passenger) were able to exit the vehicle before it exploded. The contact stated the fire was located in the front of the vehicle. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, but was unaware if a fire report was filed. The police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle total loss. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed flames originating near the firewall. The contact was able to extinguish the flames himself with a fire extinguisher. No warning lights were illuminated. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V303000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2015 was making sounds when vehicle was off. The ABS warning lights were lit on the dashboard (3 warnings in total) once car was turned on. Drove home hoping the sound would go away but it did not. Once home the sound continued without the vehicle being on. Opened the hood and listened for the location of the sound. It was the ABS module on the left. This part then caught on fire while parked and off (keys were out).
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, hill assist, and traction control warning lights illuminated and the "BSD Cancelled" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
My 2015 Santa Fe Limited with 44,000 miles developed a knocking sound coming from the engine. No lights appeared on the dashboard, no low oil pressure warning, etc. I was able to drive it to my local dealership, but the brakes were very jerky and the car shut off when I pulled into the parking lot. I was told I needed a new engine, but was denied Hyundai paying for it because the 5 years/100,000 mile warranty had expired. I called corporate and pointed out many instances of excess oil consumption, recalls, and extended warranties due to engines. I was told that my engine didn't qualify and I would have to pay to have it fixed. I was also given a phone number for a class action lawsuit because Hyundai knows of these kinds of engine problems on my make and model.
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was notified and confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Leak which may cause a fire. This is second recall for same problem. I feel unsafe while driving. They say if ABS light comes on to stop immediately. Unable to park in my garage or close to the house. No incidents as of now. I do not understand why this is taking so long and we are expected to drive an unsafe vehicle. Value of car has also dropped.
While driving at 65 mph on an urban expressway, the engine quit without warning and would not restart. This resulted in diminished steering and braking control as well as exposure near the edge of traffic on a narrow berm of an overpass bridge. Full tank of fuel, good battery, the engine would not crank or restart. All electrical accessories work fine.
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited, 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6, ~102,000 miles. In December 2022, an authorized Hyundai dealer replaced three specific parts under a Hyundai recall/campaign (records requested). On Sunday [DATE] at approximately [TIME] PM, I was driving on [FREEWAY], [STATE], at 55-70 mph at night. With NO prior warning - no warning lights, no chimes, no loss of power buildup, no knocking, no engine protection mode - the engine suddenly and completely died. The failure was instantaneous. There was no limp-home mode and no opportunity to reach the shoulder under engine power. The vehicle lost forward momentum and rolled backward in a live highway travel lane, where it remained stranded until a tow truck recovered it. No injuries. The 12V battery and electrical system remained fully active throughout. …
Tl* the contact stated that while driving the vehicle started to smoke from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the engine was burning oil and needed to be changed. The oil was changed in hopes it would repair the failure. The vehicle was then towed to herb connolly Hyundai, 520 worcester rd, framingham, ma 01702, and was diagnosed that the engine oil level was perfect on arrival and was not replicating the failure of the smoke. The failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to mirak Hyundai, 1165 massachusetts ave, arlington, ma 02476, where it was diagnosed that too much oil was added. The dealer informed the contact was to pick up the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that there was no remedy available for the open recall of NHTSA campaign number: 20V520000 (service brakes, hydraulic). …
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
Brake complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, 11% of the model year's 255 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-651 (control unit/module, Sep 22, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 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.