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BrakesPart report

2016 Hyundai Santa FE Brakes Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
7%of 236 total for the year
Median mileage
73,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE, 7% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 1 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.

“I was driving my 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe to my morning job, & noticed a slight trembling of the vehicle initially. Upon approaching a stop sign at a 2 way stop, I noticed that my brakes were not fully engaging so I pumped them a couple times. Immediately my car started accelerating on its own faster and faster until my brakes were not stopping the car at all even with my foot pushing the brake pedal down as far as possible. My foot wasn’t on the accelerator at all. I noticed a pickup truck about to cross the intersection for which I needed to stop. …”

NHTSA complaint #11522385, filed 2023-05

“Driving on a slight upgrade, lost power and smoke started to come out of the vents and from under the hood. Had no brakes and by the time we were able to drift to a stop, the engine compartment was on fire. There was no warning lights. Witnesses saw fire under the car while we were coming to a stop. The car and all contents were totally consumed. Following some research on NHTSA vin decoder we found that this car has the same engine (GDI THETA II) that has been involved in many fires and is involved in class action suits. Even though this car has the same engine, it was never recalled. …”

NHTSA complaint #11617604, filed 2024-10

“My car started accelerating on its own, out of nowhere. There were no prior indications. No prior damage. It began accelerating on its own. After shutting the vehicle off and turning it back on, the issue has persisted. Anytime it is in drive or reverse, it accelerates at an extreme rate. It also disabled the brake, when the acceleration began.”

NHTSA complaint #11578371, filed 2024-03

“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the brake pedal felt spongy while depressed. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #11491773, filed 2022-11, 27,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the brake pedal was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11650164, filed 2025-03, 119,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202613%
202543%
2024138%
20232713%
2022115%
202164%
2020115%
2019115%
20181917%
2017596%
2016177%
20152911%
20145812%
20136310%
2012298%
20112212%
2010125%
20095014%
2008295%
20078713%
20061716%
20053315%
20044314%
20034314%
20022113%
200184%

Other parts of the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE

Engine
151 complaints
Other or unknown
25 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
21 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Seat belts
8 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Engine cooling
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 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