2006 Hyundai Santa FE Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 16%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE, 16% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On or about july 1st 2015 I was about to change the brake pads on my Hyundai Santa Fe. Upon removal of the tire I notice that the brake backing plate was rusted through and was hanging by a sliver of rusty metal. This auto uses a miniature drum brake affair on the rear wheels to actuate the parking brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #10744200, filed 2015-07, 117,000 miles“On march 4, 2020, heading home at night on a curvy mountain road my car (2006 Hyundai Santa Fe) suddenly jerked, started to accelerate to over 80 miles hour. At the same time half of the panel light behind part of the RPM's and half behind the MPH went out; the rest of the panel was still lit up; I was heading down the curvy road accelerating heading quickly towards an 18 wheeler when I tried to brake, my brake pedal would not move and my car kept accelerating (I was not stepping on the gas pedal). …”
NHTSA complaint #11320353, filed 2020-04, 215,000 miles“I bought this vehicle used in 2012 and experienced my first incident with the brakes approx. 5 mos later. Whenever I have to stop in a hurry at various speeds, the brakes do not engage. Vehicle slides, does not stop. I came close to having several accidents and was fortunate enough to drive the vehicle into next lane to avoid hitting car in front of me or going through a red light. This is very scary and I can't believe Hyundai has not recalled vehicles with similar problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10572916, filed 2014-03, 48,555 miles“Brakes failed to apply when coming to a stop at a red light causing me to hit the back of the car in front of me; speed less than 10 MPH; brakes bucked and would not re-engage and did not stop the car in time to prevent accident; applied emergency brake and turned off ignition to stop process; reported to local police; car has been impounded for investigation and confirmation of technical difficulties.”
NHTSA complaint #10175009, filed 2006-12, 10,000 miles“#1 car would not stop, rolled through a stop sign and pulled over into empty lot and tested brakes a few times and then it was okay. #2 was stopped behind a vehicle about 2 feet away, with my foot on the brake when car accelerated and felt like it jumped and I bumped the car in front. This was on 11-28-06 about 1 1/2 hours after bringing my car to the dealer to tell them that my brakes sounded like metal against metal and was told that it was normal on foggy mornings. The same thing happened the morning before but I was told to bring it in the next day because they were busy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10174937, filed 2006-12, 8,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10183963Nov 30, 2020This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
- 10019637Mar 1, 2006Abs pump self-check noise.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 4 | 3% |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% |
| 2023 | 27 | 13% |
| 2022 | 11 | 5% |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% |
| 2020 | 11 | 5% |
| 2019 | 11 | 5% |
| 2018 | 19 | 17% |
| 2017 | 59 | 6% |
| 2016 | 17 | 7% |
| 2015 | 29 | 11% |
| 2014 | 58 | 12% |
| 2013 | 63 | 10% |
| 2012 | 29 | 8% |
| 2011 | 22 | 12% |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% |
| 2009 | 50 | 14% |
| 2008 | 29 | 5% |
| 2007 | 87 | 13% |
| 2006 | 17 | 16% |
| 2005 | 33 | 15% |
| 2004 | 43 | 14% |
| 2003 | 43 | 14% |
| 2002 | 21 | 13% |
| 2001 | 8 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology