2018 Hyundai Santa Fe: Service Brakes complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe that list the service brakes component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11735250 (filed 05/02/2026): “On april 13, 2026, i arrived home and parked the vehicle, engaging the traditional shifter into the "park" position and turning off the engine. after exiting and standing on the ground to retrieve a purse from the cabin, the vehicle spontaneously and rapidly began reversing. as the vehicle gained …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11676848 (filed 07/28/2025): “At 118,000 miles downhill brake, transmission and 4 wheel drive were damaged from the hyundai dealership not fullfilling warranty. they disconnected my tow hitch and my transmission was burning .. smelled like a bon fire. took me 1 year to repair and have transmission changed through warranty but th…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11599590 (filed 07/06/2024): “I was driving going around 50 and put on my brakes after that the abs light epb light and cruise control lights all came on and my car wouldnt stop unless i preessed very hard on brakes. and other lights on my dashboard came on then the next day i was driving to work and almost wrecked and my car wo…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Pads and rotors are a common DIY job with hand tools and a jack; ABS/hydraulic faults need a scan tool. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .