This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport brakes problems
moderate 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 36 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 36 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 6 model years of Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This 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 drive (FWD). The rear wheel speed sensor is available as a separate service part from the rear wheel hub assembly. When appropriate, it is recommended to replace only the rear wheel speed sensor instead of the full assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This 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 drive (FWD). The rear wheel speed sensor is available as a separate service part from the rear wheel hub assembly. When appropriate, it is recommended to replace only the rear wheel speed sensor instead of the full assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The overwhelming majority of these 36 complaints center on a single issue: owners received NHTSA Campaign 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) recall notifications, but parts were unavailable at dealers. Many owners explicitly stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable timeframe for completing the recall. This is a manufacturer fulfillment failure, not a vehicle design defect—but it leaves owners with safety concerns unresolved.
Among owners who experienced actual brake system failures, the complaints break down into distinct problems. Several reported ABS warning lights staying on or recurring even after dealer service or independent ABS replacement. One dramatic case involved an ABS pump explosion with white smoke emission at 150,000 miles. A few owners reported loss of braking response or unintended brake activation—pedal kick-back, tire lockup, and in one case, independent acceleration with unintended forward roll after shifting to park.
One owner who had the ABS recall previously performed reported all warning lights returned about a week after the repair was supposedly completed. Another documented an ABS sensor issue requiring cleaning; the light remained on for two years without repair. Most vehicles experiencing actual brake failures already had recall notifications issued but could not be repaired due to parts unavailability.
Same Hyundai Santa Fe Sport brakes reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
NHTSA Campaign 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) - Parts Unavailable
Owners received recall notifications but manufacturers and dealers repeatedly confirmed parts were not available, with many complaining the manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframes for recall completion. This is a systemic parts-availability issue, not a vehicle defect per se, but a manufacturer response failure.
When: Various mileages reported; complaint pattern started appearing after initial recall notification
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received; Parts confirmed unavailable at dealer; Extended delays in recall repair completion; Manufacturer stated parts distribution delays
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair could not be completed due to unavailable parts; no workaround mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) recall issued; parts unavailable; owners report manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall completion
ABS Warning Light and System Failures
Multiple owners report ABS warning lights illuminating during normal driving or after attempted repairs. Some experienced ABS light recurrence even after dealer service or independent ABS replacement. One owner reported ABS pump explosion with white smoke emission.
When: Approximately 64,000 to 189,000 miles; one at unknown mileage; one owner reported light on for two years
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illumination; ABS system warning lights along with service brake lights; High-pitched motor sound during vehicle startup and shutdown; ABS pump explosion with white smoke emission; Loss of ABS function after repair attempts
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light, Service brake warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced ABS fuse or entire ABS unit; independent mechanics replaced ABS twice on one vehicle—failure recurred both times; one owner diagnosed with ABS sensor needing cleaning but repair not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of failures in some cases; related to broader NHTSA Campaign 23V651000
Brake Performance Degradation - Slow Response and Unintended Activation
Owners report brake pedal response delays at highway speeds and unintended brake activation without driver input. One vehicle experienced independent acceleration followed by unintended forward roll after shifting to park, despite parking brake activation.
When: Approximately 64,000 to 68,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Slow brake response at 70–75 MPH despite depressing pedal; Brake pedal kicked back and sank two-thirds toward floorboard; Unintended brake activation independent of driver input; Tire lockup during unintended braking; Vehicle unable to accelerate after brake failure event; Independent acceleration during normal driving; Vehicle rolls forward after shifting to park
Codes mentioned: No warning lights in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had independent mechanic replace ABS twice; brakes replaced at dealer—failure persisted in both cases; hydraulic control module replacement suggested but not performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Campaign 23V651000 issued; parts not available for recall repair in owner's case; manufacturer made aware of failures
Low Brake Fluid Level
Owner discovered brake fluid level low while inspecting vehicle after brake warning light illuminated during reversing. No other diagnostic work performed.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illumination during reversing; Low brake fluid level upon inspection
Codes mentioned: Brake warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired; owner inspected fluid level only
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Campaign 23V651000 issued; parts not available for recall repair
Secondary Electrical/Sensor Issues Co-Occurring with Brake Complaints
One owner reported multiple unrelated failures alongside brake system problems: front passenger door not registering as closed, backup camera failure with radio inoperability, and erroneous TPMS warning light. These appear concurrent with broader electrical anomalies but were not independently diagnosed.
When: Approximately 108,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front passenger door sensor failure; Backup camera failure with concurrent radio inoperability; TPMS warning light illumination despite proper tire pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to independent mechanic for initial diagnosis but not diagnosed; repaired under recall but other failures not addressed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Campaign 23V651000 performed; other failures not investigated
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai santa fe sport. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes activated independent of driver input without warning, and the tires locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate after the failure. The driver was able to drive the vehicle back cautiously to the residence. The vehicle was taken to…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue.…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
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 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 36 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, with the median around 108,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,000; a quarter make it past 150,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2013/Hyundai/Santa Fe Sport.
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.