2008 Hyundai Santa FE Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 5%of 541 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE, 5% of the 541 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My driver side rear brake started squealing. I pulled over and realized the brake was scorching hot. It happened two more times after that. I called the dealership, they said bring it in. It was frozen pads in caliper slides. I was also told I should have the brakes cleaned once a year?! I was also charged $89.95.”
NHTSA complaint #10280754, filed 2009-08, 11,500 miles“The 2008 Santa Fe traveling between 55& 60mph on divided highway would not slow down when I took my foot off of accelerator. I applied brakes but difficult to make vehicle stop. I think I slowed it down a lot but did not or would not be able to stop. It was like idle got stuck on high! After 20 seconds or so the acceleration returned to normal & I proceeded. It was scary ! First time this happened. I just had it in for service to replace to headlights & missing screw under front seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10592885, filed 2014-05, 79,404 miles“I was driving at a low speed, making a left-hand turn when the car lost all power. No brakes, no steering. I was able to get the car into a driveway. I was able to restart . About 1 hour later the same thing, only this time I was making a left-hand turn across a very busy city street.. I was almost hit by an oncoming vehicle. This is very dangerous and will probably sell the car & tell the new owners about my issue. I have not taken it to a garage, as the closest Hyundai shop to me is an hour away. I do not feel safe driving that far.”
NHTSA complaint #10986137, filed 2017-05, 124,000 miles“This morning (11/11/18) I was traveling with my wife and kids on highway I-290 eastbound approx. 60 MPH, when our car has started accelerating without me pressing down gas pedal. I hit the brakes, however car was still accelerating and the only way to slow it down was to put it on neutral (I was already speeding over 80mph). When I did it, RPM were at 7000 per min. And didn't go down a bit. I pulled over and turn the engine off. When started back , engine was working at normal level RPM's and reacted to gas pedal movement. I've decided to continue drive to our destination. …”
NHTSA complaint #11150843, filed 2018-11, 134,504 miles“The fuel gauge on my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe at around 67k miles started reading empty and then it started reading normal and then empty. Finally it has only read empty for the past couple thousand miles. I was hoping that it would fix itself which it never did. Wishful thinking. I ended up bringing my Santa Fe into the local Hyundai service department to troubleshoot the problem plus replace the front and back brakes, and perform existing recalls. They told me that one of the two fuel pumps located in the gas tank had failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10562797, filed 2014-02, 67,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2007–2011, Tucson 2006–2011, Sonata 2007–2011 +9 more
Related 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.
- 10163866Jul 23, 2019This bulletin provides information on the rear wheel speed sensor for Santa Fe (CM), Santa Fe / XL (NC), Santa Fe Sport (AN), and Veracruz (EN) vehicles equipped with front wheel…
- 10163288Jun 20, 2019This bulletin provides information on the rear wheel speed sensor for Santa Fe (CM), Santa Fe / XL (NC), Santa Fe Sport (AN), and Veracruz (EN) vehicles equipped with front wheel…
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 2008 Hyundai Santa FE
273 complaintsElectrical system
74 complaintsAir bags
70 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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