10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,846 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Hyundai Santa Fe brakes problems

brakes problem

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2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #16

Dec 102022

Santa Fe

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #15

Jul 022021

Santa Fe

  • miles
driving in the rain hit brakes they locked

- Hiram, GA, USA

problem #14

Aug 072019

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 196,000 miles
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).

- Madisonville, LA, USA

problem #13

Jan 032019

Santa Fe

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS tcs tracking system turns out while driving

- Enfield, CT, USA

problem #12

Jun 012018

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
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.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #11

Oct 182018

Santa Fe

  • 100,000 miles
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

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #10

Jul 142017

Santa Fe

  • 179,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Seneca, IL, USA

problem #9

Dec 202016

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 71,417 miles
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.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #8

Aug 042015

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #7

Sep 012015

Santa Fe

  • 172,000 miles
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.

- Lindenhurst, IL, USA

problem #6

Dec 182015

Santa Fe

  • 161,516 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while exiting a parking lot, the steering wheel and brakes seized as the vehicle veered to the left without warning. The failure caused the contact to slightly go over a curb however, the contact was able to apply force and pull the vehicle to the side and park. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,516.

- Columbia, IN, USA

problem #5

Nov 022008

Santa Fe

  • 28,000 miles
Car shuts off while driving, losing power steering and brakes, while traveling at highway speed or braking down a windy canyon road. Problem includes intermittent jerking, jumping, hiccupping - whatever you want to call it, it's not safe to drive. First month, after brand-new NY dealership purchase, I replaced my throttle position sensor 3 times. Trouble with my current problem began at 4 years, well under 30,000 miles. For a year I had to fear for my life every time I drove, never knowing if this trip would kill me or other motorists. Why did I have to drive it" because the Hyundai dealerships in los angeles couldn't diagnose the problem if they couldn't cause it to happen and there is no error code when tested. A year of fear. Just the hesitation jerking is scary enough while driving, but when it actually shuts down" when your RPM indicator drops from 2,000 to 0 and you're fighting for your life turning the stuck steering wheel and pulling up the emergency brake hoping you don't careen off a winding cliff or coast head on into unsuspecting traffic or clicking your hazards on and praying no one hits you on an oily rain slick pavement at night on the 101 freeway - that is when it really makes your heart jump out of your chest. After 11 months of shutting off, it got so bad it wouldn't turn on again and finally my check engine light came on and they were able to diagnose the crank shaft sensor. In the process of fixing, they made a leak in my power steering hose and damaged my pump. Because it was days after my warranty, the van nuys dealership charged me for the crank shaft sensor and other damage! 33,000 miles on my car. Well, that was November 2009. It's now 2015 (70,540 miles) and once again, I'm okayed to drive my unsafe car. The performance of these vehicles put drivers at an unreasonable risk of accident and since there is no error code, Hyundai will do nothing.

- Studio City, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 262015

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
This vehicle was driven approx. 1/2 mile from home when power steering and brakes failed. It was pulled off of the road and stopped with the emergency brake. Immediately flames shot up the windshield. The entire interior was completely destroyed as well 3/4 of the exterior.

- Lawrenceburg, KY, USA

problem #3

Aug 092010

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that there was a strong vibration coming from the front brakes. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions where it was repaired but the failure recurred. The repair specifics were not available. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V131000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available. Updated 12/22/14 the consumer stated the vehicle has had a pulsating sensation from the brakes. The vehicle would take longer to stop and there would be vibration in the steering wheel. The consumer was informed there was the vehicle was not included in the recall for the brakes. The consumer nearly had an accident with a semi truck due to the failure. Updated 05/26/2015

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #2

Sep 042012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 13,600 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V131000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock: Control unit/module). After the repairs as the contact applied the brakes, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal increase in stopping distance and time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and denied assistance with any repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 13,600. Updated 10/11/12 the consumer stated an accident almost occurred again due to this failure. Updated 10/11/2012

- Grandville, IL, USA

problem #1

Jun 182012

Santa Fe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the anti-lock braking system would engage when braking to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the electronic control unit needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 04V131000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock control unit module), but the manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 100,000.

- Westwood, MA, USA

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