NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
16 reportsClear category filter150,000 miles · Jun 1, 2023
Service BrakesCrashInjury
The contact owned a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 25 MPH the braking system malfunctioned and when depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not reduce speed or stop causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the rear driver-side pas…
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The contact owned a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 25 MPH the braking system malfunctioned and when depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not reduce speed or stop causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the rear driver-side passenger sustained a lacerated bottom lip and dental and oral injuries. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for the same failure by the local mechanic. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #11524781
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2021
Service BrakesFire
driving in the rain hit brakes they locked up
NHTSA ODI #11430564
196,000 miles · Aug 24, 2019
Air BagsService BrakesWheels
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP ON THIS VEHICLE 15 YEARS OLD BRAKES ALSO NOT LIKE USE TO BE I AM OWN THIS SUV LAST 15 YEARS I NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT I AM WORRY NEED TO BE FIXED FOE MY SAFETY [XXX] OWNER, C [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11246188
118,000 miles · Feb 10, 2019
Service BrakesSuspensionVehicle Speed Control
ABS TCS TRACKING SYSTEM TURNS OUT WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #11176011
100,000 miles · Nov 28, 2018
Service BrakesSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN ALIGNMENT, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE RUSTED, FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE WHEN THE BRAK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN ALIGNMENT, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE RUSTED, FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO CAUTIOUSLY APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL AND, AT TIMES, DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED THREE TSBS FOR THE BRAKES AND THREE TSBS FOR THE SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11154425
100,000 miles · Oct 20, 2018
Service BrakesSuspension
WELL MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE ABS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER 04 SANTA FES AS WELL AS THE CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT TO THE COIL SPRINGS. THEY ARE CORRODED AND HAVE COMPLETELY SNAPPED. MY CAR IS WITHIN THE YEARS AND MODEL FOR THOSE RECALLS BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL,BUT I MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THOSE EXAC…
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WELL MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE ABS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER 04 SANTA FES AS WELL AS THE CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT TO THE COIL SPRINGS. THEY ARE CORRODED AND HAVE COMPLETELY SNAPPED. MY CAR IS WITHIN THE YEARS AND MODEL FOR THOSE RECALLS BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL,BUT I MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THOSE EXACT ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL
NHTSA ODI #11141555
179,000 miles · Aug 4, 2017
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED AND NEARLY STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SEARCHED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED AND NEARLY STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SEARCHED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VIN AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT CALL HIS LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (SCHIMMER FORD LINCOLN HYUNDAI OF PERU, 911 SHOOTING PARK RD, PERU, IL, 61354, 815-224-4500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER WAS GOING TO REIMBURSE THEIR SERVICES, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 179,000.
NHTSA ODI #11012825
71,417 miles · Feb 1, 2017
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes
BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO SHOP FOR FRONT END NOISE. FOUND NEEDED FRONT BRAKES, PADS, ROTOR, CALIPER. REPAIRED THE ITEMS.THE SHOP ALSO NOTICED AND STATED "HAS A FUEL LEAK AT THE TANK (SHOULD BE A RECALL"). I DON'T FIND ANY RECALL HERE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I'M NOT MAKING A COMPLAINT, JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10948919
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2016
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE ABS AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE ABS AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10895249
172,000 miles · Apr 13, 2016
Service Brakes
IN SEPTEMBER 2015 I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE WITH NO NOTICE. IT CAN BE PERFECTLY DRY OUTSIDE AND SUDDENLY THEY CONNECT AND START GRINDING. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED, WITH NO WARNING, BUT ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN TO LESS T…
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IN SEPTEMBER 2015 I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE WITH NO NOTICE. IT CAN BE PERFECTLY DRY OUTSIDE AND SUDDENLY THEY CONNECT AND START GRINDING. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED, WITH NO WARNING, BUT ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN TO LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI, BUT THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS MODEL, THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS. IF THE ANTI LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES SUDDENLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS (WHICH IT DOES) THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10855359
Official recalls
3Jul 18, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.
Mar 16, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Dec 18, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗