ABS & brake warning lights are on. Even after replacing brakes. This is current recall but my VIN does not show up under this recall. The radio & GPS works but there is no sound coming out. I was able to reset before but not anymore.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe brakes problems
severe 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
4fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 43 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 43 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.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe owners report widespread brake system failures including rear caliper sticking, hydraulic loss causing pedal-to-floor conditions, and ABS module shorts that have caused engine fires. Multiple owners describe brake failures after dealer service, and a critical recall (23V651000) for fire hazard remains unfixed due to parts unavailability over months to years.
Owners of 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe models describe two overlapping brake catastrophes: mechanical failures in the hydraulic system and dangerous electrical faults in the ABS module.
On the mechanical side, owners report rear brake calipers sticking or locking up, sometimes after dealers replace only pads without diagnosing the underlying caliper failure. More critically, multiple owners experience a spongy or complete loss of brake pressure—the pedal sinks to the floor with little stopping power. This has happened after dealer brake service and despite owners or independent mechanics replacing front and rear brake pads, master cylinders, and flushing lines. One owner hit a car at a stoplight at 25 mph after brake failure; another's brakes failed immediately after a dealer 30,000-mile service.
The ABS module failures are more serious. The recall (23V651000) identifies internal electrical shorts that leak brake fluid and overheat the module, creating engine compartment fires. Multiple owners report their vehicles caught fire while driving or parked—some at highway speeds, others while sitting in driveways. Owners also report the ABS warning light and related warning lights staying on, sometimes after recall attempts, with dealers either unwilling or unable to replace the module. Throughout these reports, owners cite months or years of unavailable repair parts despite the fire hazard, with some noting the recall has been open since 2023 with "no remedy identified."
Same Hyundai Santa Fe brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Rear brake caliper sticking and lockup
Rear brake calipers fail internally, causing the brake to stick or lock up during normal driving. One owner replaced the caliper after dealer failed to diagnose the issue properly.
When: 56,000 miles reported in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from rear brakes while driving at highway speed; Rear brake smoking and extremely hot; Both rear brakes locking up while driving; Brake pedal pulsation suggesting lockup
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced rear caliper after dealer replaced only brake pads without proper inspection; dealer initially declined to do full brake inspection citing cost and time
Brake hydraulic failure with pedal to floor
Complete or partial loss of brake pressure causes the brake pedal to sink to or near the floor, reducing stopping power dramatically. Multiple owners report this with front and rear brakes replaced, master cylinder replaced, yet problem persists after repair attempts.
When: 35,000 to 115,000 miles reported across multiple cases; one failure at 25 mph during city driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal extends all the way to floorboard; Extended stopping distance; Loss of braking ability or severely reduced stopping power; Brake pedal felt as a 'pop' followed by complete loss of resistance; Pumping brakes required to stop vehicle; Brake failure occurring immediately after 30,000 mile service
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report replacement of front and rear brake pads, master cylinder replacement by certified mechanics, and brake line flushing without resolving the issue; dealer diagnostics often show 'everything OK' despite failure
ABS module electrical short and fire hazard
ABS module develops internal electrical short that leaks brake fluid and generates heat, creating risk of engine compartment fire. Multiple vehicles have caught fire. Recall 23V651000 identified this issue but repair parts remain unavailable for extended periods.
When: 65,000 to 190,000 miles; some fires occurred while parked, others while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Strong chemical or burning smell while driving; Smoke or flames visible from engine compartment; Vehicle fire while parked or during operation; ABS warning light illuminated; Traction control light on; Downhill Assist light on; Parking brake light on; Loss of power steering assist; Sudden vehicle stall
Repairs/costs cited: No repair remedy provided by manufacturer for extended period after recall; one owner attempted to replace ABS module but manufacturer would not approve; dealers unable to obtain parts; owner stated parts still unavailable as of November 2024
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); NHTSA Campaign 20V520000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); Recall Campaign 205 (ABS Module Inspection and Multi-Fuse Installation); manufacturer stated 'no fix available' and 'no remedy has been identified' despite fire risk
ABS module malfunction with warning lights
ABS module fails causing warning lights and intermittent ABS system malfunction. ABS light comes on, sometimes with other lights. Some cases report ABS light returning repeatedly even after sensor or module replacement.
When: 27,000 to 61,000 miles reported; recurrence after repair in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; ABS light turning on intermittently; Traction control light illuminated; Downhill Assist light illuminated; Parking brake light on; Odometer malfunction; Speedometer malfunction; Vehicle jerking or stopping suddenly while driving; ABS light returning after previous ABS sensor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: ABS sensor replacement recommended by dealers at cost of $1,200 in one case; replacement of ABS module attempted; owners report issue recurring after repair; VIN numbers sometimes do not match recall coverage despite having same part numbers
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to Recall Campaign 205; dealership informed owner ABS module replacement would not be approved by manufacturer; owner told sensors not covered under warranty after recall service
Brake lights and Downhill Assist system intermittent failure
Brake lights fail to illuminate when Downhill Assist system activates, creating a safety hazard. Vehicle slows on its own but following drivers cannot see brake lights.
When: Occurs intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights not working when Downhill Assist activates; Vehicle slowing on its own; Intermittent nature makes diagnosis difficult
Excessive brake and rotor wear
Brake pads and rotors wear out far more frequently than normal, requiring replacement every 4 months across multiple axles.
When: Starting around 2 years of ownership, beginning February of that year
Symptoms owners cite: Front left brake wear; Front right brake wear; Rear left brake wear; Rear right brake wear; Repeated failures on same axles within 4-month cycles
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced rotors and brakes every 4 months for multiple brake sets; third cycle reported
Engine stall related to brake system or electrical issue
Vehicle stalls without warning while driving at low speed, brake pedal becomes difficult to depress, and burning odor noted. Related to electrical or engine compartment fire issues tied to ABS module.
When: 25 mph to 40 mph in reported cases; 65,000 to 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving; Brake pedal becomes difficult to depress when stalled; Burning odor in cabin; No warning lights prior to stall; Engine failure or fire; Loss of motive power; Vehicle coasts to shoulder
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required in at least one case; fire extinguished by bystanders in another; vehicles deemed total loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer related some failures to NHTSA Campaign 23V651000; in other cases stated failure was not related to recall
ABS system malfunction with erratic braking feel
ABS system produces excessive or erratic anti-lock cycling that does not match normal ABS operation. Brake feel described as being 'on ice' with inadequate control.
When: During braking events
Symptoms owners cite: ABS provides excessive anti-lock action; Brake feel similar to driving on ice; ABS not cycling properly compared to normal operation; Inadequate braking response in emergency situations
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer computer diagnostics showed 'everything OK' despite confirmed malfunction
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a meaningful issue. 43 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 56,345 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,345; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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.
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.