RoadVitals

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Feb 16, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 257 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 16, 2025

Brakes locked

NHTSA ID
11643004
Incident
Feb 10, 2025
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 16, 2025

The engine locked down due to the improper power train, driveline, driveshaft. Oil leaking and malfunction of power train, driveline, driveshaft caused motor to knock and lock down

NHTSA ID
11643002
Incident
Feb 10, 2025
Brakes
Filed Nov 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle later lost motive power after pulling into the driveway. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and transferred the contact to the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 113,196.

NHTSA ID
11557213
Incident
Nov 27, 2023
Mileage
113,196 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed May 14, 2023

When im driving down the road and the slightest bump is on yhe side of the road, the truck feels like its not connected to the framing or the wheels or something because when i hit the bump it jerks the wheels to the right and that's the only side it does it on and it does it so abruptly at times it almost pushes me into another car or it jerks the steering wheel out of my hands. Im not sure if theres a recall thats causing this or not but my mom has a vehicle like mine but a 2011 model and hers does the same thing on the right side.

NHTSA ID
11521906
Incident
Apr 26, 2023
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Jan 30, 2020

FOR NO REASON THE CAR WILL STALL AND ALL STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCTIONS ARE DISABLED. HAPPENS WHEN STOPPED OR WHILE DRIVING. CAR HAS TO BE PUT IN PARK AND RESTARTED. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER

NHTSA ID
11303027
Incident
Jan 29, 2020
Mileage
145 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 31, 2019

REAR TAIL LIGHTS RETAIN MOISTURE AND WATER, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION AND SHORT OUT WHEN BULBS ARE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE IS VISIBLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED ME TO BE PULLED OVER BY POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL AS IT CAN CAUSE UNSAFE BRAKING CONDITIONS DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHT BULB WILL BE REPLACED BUT AS SOON AS IT RAINS OR ANY CONDENSATION COLLECTS IN THE HOUSING, IT CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT TO NOT ILLUMINATE UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.

NHTSA ID
11277364
Incident
Oct 30, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS STANDING WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN AND HEARD A THUMP SOUND. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK BY THE DOOR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AS SHE WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP ONCE IT CROSSED A MAIN ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A CURB. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER ENTIRE BODY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11080951
Incident
Feb 27, 2018
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 17, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND I WAS REAR ENDED @ 65 MPH. VEHICLE SUFFERED $14,000 IN DAMAGE WITH A BENT FRAME. THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE IS NOW DIMINISHED DRASTICALLY AND IT IS REPORTED IN CAR FAX REPORT. APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I SHOULD NOT SUFFER FINANCIAL LOSS DUE TO NEGLIGENT PARTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED AND INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10836772
Incident
Feb 27, 2012
Mileage
30,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemSteering
Filed Jun 12, 2013

MY SANTA FE STALLED WHILE MAKING A LOW SPEED RIGHT TURN. NO WARNING THE STEERING BECAME HARD AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WENT ON AND ENGINE OFF. STARTED RIGHT UP AFTERWARDS. IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND UPDATED COMPUTER. NO ERROR CODES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10519405
Incident
Jun 10, 2013
Mileage
41,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 2, 2011

BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT HOLD PRESSURE, CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATION IN EMERGENCY BRAKING. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER ON NOVEMBER 29 FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. DEALER FOUND MASTER CYLINDER HAS INTERNAL LEAK. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND RE-BLED THE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438165
Incident
Nov 26, 2011
Mileage
6,876 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 7, 2011
Crash reported2 injuries reported1 death reported

VEHICLE STOPPED ON INCLINE OF A HILL, THEN REVERSED (GEAR SHIFT IN DRIVE) BACK DOWN 600 FEET THE HILL AND CRASHED AGAINST A CONCRETE WALL CORNER. HAVE 2 WITNESSES THAT SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE, INSPECTED WRECK, FOUND NO FAULT CODES WITH A LAUNCH 431-READER BUT FIGURED THAT BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER 2 MONTHS. SURVIVING DAUGHTER SUFFERS FROM MEMORY LOSS BUT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT CLAIMS THE BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID
10375848
Incident
Oct 2, 2010
Mileage
6,780 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 12, 2010

BRAKE HARD TO STOP EVEN AFTER PRESSING REALLY HARD DOWN ON THEM. VEHICLE ONLY SLOWS DOWN TO 20MPH WHEN INITIALLY SLAM ON THE BRAKE. I ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE. I WAS ONLY DRIVING NO MORE THAN 40 MPH ON A 50 MPH ZONE. BRAKE FEELS REALLY HARD AND DOES NOT WORK WHEN SLAM ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10370284
Incident
Dec 12, 2010
Mileage
6,120 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .