Hyundai Santa FE Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 262 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 262 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Hyundai Santa FE across 21 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (40). The words owners use most often: “brakes hydraulic contacted” (8% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Brakes hydraulic contacted: mentioned in 22 of 262 complaints (8%)
  • Brake pads: mentioned in 18 of 262 complaints (7%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Hyundai Santa FE at $300, and half of them between $190 and $610.

Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2008–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?

Based on 162 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles32 · 20%
10k–25k miles28 · 17%
25k–50k miles39 · 24%
50k–75k miles25 · 15%
75k–100k miles17 · 10%
100k–150k miles18 · 11%
150k+ miles3 · 2%

How serious are the reports?

Of 262 complaints, 30 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 11 an injury.

Hyundai Santa FE service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year

Peak: 2007, with 40 complaints
2001: 820012002: 112003: 3120032004: 242005: 1320052006: 52007: 402007402008: 132009: 720092010: 32011: 620112012: 32013: 1820132014: 222015: 820152016: 92017: 2420172018: 122020: 220202023: 12024: 22024

n = 262 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes, Hydraulic complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2024 Santa FE21%9,500
2023 Santa FE10%18,756
2020 Santa FE21%53,500
2018 Santa FE1211%—
2017 Santa FE242%75,000
2016 Santa FE94%73,000
2015 Santa FE83%135,500
2014 Santa FE224%92,000
2013 Santa FE183%105,000
2012 Santa FE31%5,500
2011 Santa FE63%35,500
2010 Santa FE31%6,876
2009 Santa FE72%14,396
2008 Santa FE132%23,459
2007 Santa FE406%32,950
2006 Santa FE55%9,750
2005 Santa FE136%35,173
2004 Santa FE248%34,000
2003 Santa FE3110%29,191
2002 Santa FE117%67,500
2001 Santa FE84%56,434

When owners reported it

Peak: 2022, with 41 complaints
2001: 220012002: 12003: 220032004: 142005: 1720052006: 172007: 720072008: 112009: 2220092010: 252011: 2520112012: 72013: 320132014: 32015: 420152016: 12017: 120172018: 12020: 1720202022: 41412023: 920232024: 282025: 320252026: 1

n = 262 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles

Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015

Problem: 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. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outsideFeb 3, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V056000 · 357,348 vehicles

Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018

Problem: 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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/moduleFeb 4, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V061000 · 476,111 vehicles

Model years: 2007

Problem: 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.

Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliperDec 9, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V613000 · 1,785 vehicles

Model years: 2011

Problem: 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.

Risk: As a result, brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel, and if not serviced, reduced braking power which could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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/moduleMar 16, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V131000 · 17,401 vehicles

Model years: 2003, 2004

Problem: 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 to develop. At speeds below 5 mph, the abs sensor signal noise may cause the abs electronic control unit (ecu) to activate the abs, extending the stopping distance.

Risk: If an extended stopping distance occurs, it could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the abs ecu. Owner notification began on march 24, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, while parking and while idling on different occasions, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

Received May 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11740006

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…

Received Nov 19, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11700417

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…

Received Sep 4, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11684980

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the brake pedal was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was…

Received Mar 24, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11650164

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the ABS system activated, and there was an abnormal shuddering in the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS needed to be replaced. The…

Received Nov 1, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11623194
Hyundai Santa FE
2024_Hyundai_Santa_Fe_(MX5) in Böblingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Hyundai Santa FEs have service brakes, hydraulic problems?

No. NHTSA has 262 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Hyundai Santa FE. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Hyundai Santa FE service brakes, hydraulic?

Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Hyundai Santa FE?

Owners report a typical cost of $300 (half paid between $190 and $610), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Hyundai Santa FE?

The most frequent phrase is “brakes hydraulic contacted”, in 22 of 262 complaints, followed by “brake pads” (18).

Other Hyundai Santa FE problems

See all Hyundai Santa FE problems.