Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% | 10,000 miles |
| 2023 | 25 | 12% | 19,000 miles |
| 2022 | 11 | 5% | 18,000 miles |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% | 59,000 miles |
| 2020 | 11 | 5% | 28,000 miles |
| 2019 | 11 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2018 | 19 | 17% | 7,000 miles |
| 2017 | 59 | 6% | 13,000 miles |
| 2016 | 17 | 7% | 119,000 miles |
| 2015 | 29 | 11% | 73,000 miles |
| 2014 | 58 | 12% | 89,000 miles |
| 2013 | 63 | 10% | 93,000 miles |
| 2012 | 28 | 8% | 25,000 miles |
| 2011 | 22 | 12% | 49,000 miles |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 50 | 14% | 40,000 miles |
| 2008 | 29 | 5% | 67,000 miles |
| 2007 | 87 | 13% | 52,000 miles |
| 2006 | 17 | 16% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 33 | 15% | 53,000 miles |
| 2004 | 43 | 14% | 38,000 miles |
| 2003 | 43 | 14% | 60,000 miles |
| 2002 | 21 | 13% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 8 | 4% | 76,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle fails to appropriately recognize when it is put in Park. The dash shows a "P" indicating the vehicle is in park, but emits a continuous beeping sound with a message on the dash that reads, "Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N and start engine manually." However, when pressing "P" as it states I must do, it then reads, "Gear already selected," before returning to the previous message. This is all while a "P" is illuminated and beeping is continuous. Throughout this time, if the brake is released, the car begins driving forward as though it is in Drive, not Park. I have 3 separate videos of this happening.To answer the above questions: The vehicle has repeatedly been inspected by a Hyundai dealership and each time I am told the issue cannot be replicated. I am happy to have it inspected again. …
Vehicle experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Transmission warning and ABS warning lights appeared at the same time. The vehicle would not shift properly and began skipping and dropping gears. Smoke was visibly coming from the center underside of the vehicle near the transmission area. There was a strong burning oil or rubber smell inside and outside the vehicle. This created a serious safety risk due to loss of acceleration and potential fire hazard from smoke and burning odor. The issue has been intermittent since early ownership, including jerky shifting and hard engagement. The dealer documented dual clutch transmission communication faults and ABS faults but returned the vehicle the same day stating it was a loose ground. The problem has continued after repair. Vehicle is available for inspection. The defect involves the powertrain and related electrical systems.
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while pulling into an automatic car wash and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal travelled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle then drove into the car wash while the car wash conveyor system was not engaged. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving 2-3 MPH in a parking lot, and the vehicle rear-ended another occupied vehicle. There was no damage or injury sustained. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and pulling out of a parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed, but travelled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pumped the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond and rear-ended another occupied vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the Auto START/STOP feature was activated, and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the failure occurred while parking the vehicle in the driveway. The Auto START/STOP feature was activated before the vehicle crashed into the garage door. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The contact stated that the second failure occurred while driving approximately 35 MPH, and the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 65 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to slow for a vehicle that had passed and switched into the lane she was driving, the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that as soon as she had stopped depressing the brake pedal the shuddering ceased. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the shuddering when the brake pedal was depressed was intermittent but was recurring at various speeds while slowing down. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,756.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the downhill assist, traction control, auto stop, blind spot, and ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes independently activated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Backed out of my driveway yesterday morning on way to work, 5/17/23. Driving down my street approx 15 mph to stop sign. As i approached stop sign I pressed on my brakes to stop and my car would not stop, it immediately accelerated and proceeded toward my neighbors house which was directly in front of me. I kept hitting the brakes and it would not stop. I was able to steer away from the home, went up the curb/lawn hit a couple of cable boxes and finally hit a pretty large oak tree on the same neighbors lawn. the car was still running on impact. Had major damage done to automobile (tire blow out/rim dented/front end damage) luckily i was in my neighborhood where the speed limit is 20mph. I had the car towed to Hyundai dealership and am waiting upon inspection and the result of what caused the accident. As of now they have not given me a diagnoses. …
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was almost involved in three crashes due to the failure. The contact had to drive the vehicle onto a curb to avoid a crash on one occasion. The contact stated that during the failure, the rear hatch switch became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer replaced several unknown sensors; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure had occurred six times. …
Related recalls (5)
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2011 santa fe vehicles manufactured from September 28, 2010, through November 25, 2010. Some of the rear brake calipers May not have been properly machined.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on December 17, 2010. Owners May contact Hyundai roadside assistance at 1-800-243-7766.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (87), 2013 (63), 2017 (59), 2014 (58) and 2009 (50) model years. Brake complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 23V-651 (control unit/module, Sep 22, 2023); 22V-056 (control unit/module, Feb 3, 2022); 20V-061 (control unit/module, Feb 4, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Santa Fe brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (31 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (10).
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.