Problems · by component

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe service brakes problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe cite service brakes, 12% of all 214 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
25
12% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I was at a stop light, when it turned green I accelerated and the car automatically implemented emergency braking. No one was in front of me. Thank goodness no one was behind me or they would’ve rear-ended me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11774093
“No crash, injury, warning lamp, message, or loss-of-braking event occurred. The issue involves the brake hydraulic system and the fluid specified for my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. Hyundai’s owner specification requires SAE J1704 DOT-4 LV / ISO 4925 Class 6 brake fluid. During a brake-fluid exchange, an authorized Hyundai dealer installed BG 84032, which BG identifies as conventional DOT 4. BG sells a separate product, BG 84132, identified as Low Viscosity DOT 4 meeting ISO 4925 Class 6. The original BG 84032 has since been correctly replaced by an independent repair facility and is not available for inspection. I have attached all materials I believe are relevant. Both BG product specifications are available from the BG website. My safety concern is that conventional DOT 4 does not meet the Class 6 low-temperature viscosity requirement specified for this model and other high-volume Hyundai models, which could affect ABS/ESC hydraulic response under low-temperature, icy, or snowy conditions. The Hyundai dealer’s repair order documents installation of BG 84032, consistent with the MOBIS part listing for the vehicle. An email exchange between the dealer…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Service brakesODI 11773775
“While traveling on [XXX] from [XXX] to [XXX] XXX, I initiated the adaptive cruise control. While engaged, with no other vehicles or other impediments on the roadway in front of me, the emergency braking system engaged and attempted to stop the vehicle. The first time this happened, I pressed the accelerator which disengaged the braking action. Later I reengaged the cruise control and after a few minutes, with no traffic near the vehicle, the same action happened again. I disengaged the adaptive cruise control and drove the vehicle manually with no further problems. I have scheduled an examination of the vehicle with a Hyundai dealer but have read of 25-30 similar issues with no resolution by Hyundai. This is a safety issue that will eventually cause an accident and needs to be resolved.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11766470
“Collision warning sensor alarm randomly comes on my dash and my car slams on the breaks. Very dangerous, I’m scared to drive down the highway going 60mph. 80,109 miles 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. I have not brought it in to a Hyundai dealership because they want a diagnosis fee and everything else. Hyundai should fix it. This alarm has happened several times than it will go away and come on like 3 times in a row, usually daily when I use the car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11762036
“My dealership has reground the rotors on my car twice. Now with less than 40,000 mileson the car the brakes need ground again. The issue with the brakes is it causes the front end of the car to shake when the brakes are applied. This could lead to loss of control on down hill stops in slippery conditions.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2026Service brakesODI 11748226
“My vehicle activates the emergency braking system while driving. It has happened several times now, almost causing a collision. I took it to the dealership, they held it for a week and gave it back to me telling me they could not find anything wrong with it. They did not fix anything at all. It has since done it once more.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11740276

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.