2017 Hyundai Santa Fe · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 59owner reports
- 13,000median miles
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Mar 26, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
59 of the 960 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 59 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (11 reports) and the pads and rotors (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the brakes covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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 and remedy
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. 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.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Santa Fe
Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.
NHTSA summary
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 75,000 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“ABS doesn't work, traction control doesn't work, while it was raining the sensor lights came on and I began to hydroplane almost causing a wreck while driving on the highway. The sensors go off and on the emergency brake won't engage while this sensor is on also. Acceleration stall pulling out in traffic. I'm scared to even drive the suv”
Filed Aug 21, 2025
“My complaint is the dealership that said had completed the recall on my brake systems according to both your and state records was not completed. They gave me a service notice stating the work was done. Since then the braked have continued to act up and the vehicle as a strange acceleration problem. The dealership is Don Wood Hyundai in Athens Ohio.”
Filed Dec 1, 2024
“All safety lights AEB, TMPS, ABS, on. The car breaking as driven due to this issue. Reported to Hyundai Headquarters. They said it was a major safety issue but not willing to pay for repairs especially since it's a safety issue.There many reports online of people experiencing the same issue with new cars as well. Having to pay for this is not very noble of Hyundai.”
Filed Sep 9, 2023
“Itâs not a accident The car wonât start and brake and wheels keep locking by itself.”
Filed Apr 12, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 59 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 376 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 237 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 163 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 159 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 63 reports