Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai santa fe. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the brake pedal was engaged; there was a delayed response and she also heard a squeaky noise. In addition, the pedal extended to the floor abruptly and the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently at any given speed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was…
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe brakes problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 8 brakes complaints filed for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 24,481 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Hyundai/Santa Fe.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.