2021 Hyundai Santa FE Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Hyundai Santa FE, 4% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,800 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was coming off an exit on the interstate and started slowing down. My brakes act like they didn’t want to work. Grinding and the pedal was twitching under my foot. The car stopped thankfully, but then all Linda of lights came on the my dash and will not go off. And 3 warning come up!”
NHTSA complaint #11710993, filed 2026-01“While driving the car in cruse control the speedometer would jump up and down rapidly making the car accelerate and break. The warning lights come on saying the forward, side back sensors are off. At times stepping on the breaks a plastic bottle crunch sound will occur but the breaks were fine. I scheduled a repair but was still driving the car. Then I approached an intersection and the light was turning green to yellow so I stepped on the breaks only to have the pedal go to the floor without resistance and no breaks at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11456223, filed 2022-03“The Automatic Emergency Braking system activated without there being any vehicle in front.This was on a highway at 60 mph. It lightly braked for a couple of seconds with the warning light flashing and beeping as well.There was no prior indication prior. I will be taking vehicle to dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #11578359, filed 2024-03“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, she had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with TSB: 21-01-181H. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,800.”
NHTSA complaint #11510317, filed 2023-03, 58,800 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.
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 2021 Hyundai Santa FE
51 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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