The contact owns a 2018 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.…
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe brakes problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: This 2018 Santa Fe has a documented hydraulic brake system defect (NHTSA campaign 22V056000) that can cause sudden loss of braking power and expensive repairs. Multiple owners report extended delays getting recall parts, and one owner already paid over $1,300 out-of-pocket to fix master cylinder and booster failures at a shop.
One owner experienced sudden brake failure at highway speed—pressed the pedal and nothing happened until pushing extremely hard. The master cylinder and brake booster seals had exploded. The repair shop replaced both components and the ABS motor, charging over $1,300. The mechanic said this should not have occurred; Hyundai later confirmed a recall applied to that model year.
Most complaints center on NHTSA Campaign 22V056000 for hydraulic brake defects. Owners received recall notifications starting in 2022 but dealers could not obtain replacement parts. Fourteen owners report the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable timeframe for parts availability—some dealers confirmed parts were backordered indefinitely, others eventually got them and completed the work.
A separate concern involves ABS module malfunction with electrical short creating a fire risk when parked. One owner reported being unable to safely park in a garage and receiving no communication about remedy timing.
Other owners report ABS and collision-warning lights activating unexpectedly, ABS motors running continuously and refusing to shut off, and cruise control failures accompanying the brake system issues.
Same Hyundai Santa Fe brakes reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Master cylinder and brake booster seal failure
Seals in the master cylinder and brake booster exploded, causing loss of braking pressure and inability to stop the vehicle without extreme pedal pressure.
When: At approximately 50 mph during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal requires extreme pressure to stop vehicle; ABS light illuminated; Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) light illuminated; Cruise control light illuminated; Multiple dashboard warning lights activated; Vehicle nearly caused accident due to inadequate stopping power
Codes mentioned: ABS system malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder and brake booster seals replaced; ABS motor also required service. Owner paid over $1,300 for repairs. Mechanic indicated the failure should not have occurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai recall 22V056000 for Service Brakes, Hydraulic applies to this vehicle
ABS module malfunction with fire risk
ABS module malfunction internally causing electrical short that creates fire risk when vehicle is parked. Recall campaign initiated to address this defect.
When: Ongoing condition
Symptoms owners cite: Fire risk when parked in garage; Vehicle unable to be parked safely indoors; ABS-related warning lights
Codes mentioned: ABS module electrical short
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai recall campaign 218 initiated 02/02/2022 for ABS module malfunction with fire risk; recall repair parts unavailable for extended period
ABS system electrical malfunction
ABS and collision avoidance warning lights activate unexpectedly. ABS motor runs continuously and will not shut off. Cruise control system failure associated with brake system malfunction.
When: During normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) warning light activated; Collision warning light activated; ABS motor runs continuously and will not turn off; Cruise control malfunction or failure; Audible noise suggesting motor running even when ignition off
Codes mentioned: ABS motor malfunction, Collision warning system malfunction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V056000 addresses hydraulic brakes and related systems
Recall parts unavailability
NHTSA Campaign 22V056000 issued for hydraulic brakes, but replacement parts have been unavailable for an extended period, preventing owners from completing recall repairs despite multiple follow-ups.
When: Ongoing since recall notification in 2022
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but cannot be completed; Manufacturer exceeding reasonable timeframe for parts availability; Dealer unable to obtain replacement parts; Multiple owner complaints about prolonged unavailability
Repairs/costs cited: Parts distribution disconnect confirmed by VIN tool verification; some dealers eventually obtained parts and completed repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued for 2018 Santa Fe; parts availability delayed indefinitely
Synthesized from 15 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 2018 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 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2018/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.