There are 4 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Vehicle purchased 9/1/24 from Courtesy Hyundai of Tampa. Dealership failed to file registration/tags until 10/4/24. 7/12/25: Vehicle experienced involuntary acceleration and braking, resulting in impact with my mother’s home. 7/16/25: Dealer issued written report stating vehicle was operating normally and documented a recall-related display/audio/camera software update. 8/14/25: Hyundai engineering inspection performed without my knowledge. No report has ever been released. 8/27/25: Hyundai issued corporate denial, blaming driver error and stating braking/acceleration systems were normal. 12/5/25: Second involuntary braking incident at highway speed on I-275. Five uncommanded braking events over ~20 miles. Service Manager stated failure was due to sensor/camera malfunction and instructed that the vehicle should not be driven and to tow immediately. Despite this, the vehicle had been released into roadway operation. VIN lookup shows an open, unrepaired federal recall (24V879000 / Recall 271) for the rearview camera system, marked Recall Incomplete, despite the dealer’s documentation that recall-related camera/software work was completed on 7/16/25. BBB Auto Line denied my claim only because the vehicle was outside Florida Lemon Law eligibility. No safety determination was made. Hyundai released no engineering, sensor, or camera data despite an engineering inspection. This vehicle has experienced repeated involuntary braking and acceleration at highway speed, involving braking, camera, and automatic emergency braking systems, creating a serious risk of loss of control, collision, injury, or death. Despite repeated failures, contradictory diagnostics, withheld engineering data, and an open federal recall, the vehicle was released back into public roadway operation. I request that NHTSA formally investigate this safety defect.
Phantom emergency braking occurred on two separate occasions a few months apart while traveling at 50-60 MPH for no reason. Almost rear ended. Flashing red zigzag alert stating “Emergency Braking”. Vehicle towed to dealership for inspection and diagnostics. Afraid to drive on freeway or highway. Dealership unable to reproduce or solve issue first time. Now at another dealership for inspection.
Stopped at a red light when the brake pedal depressed to the floor causing the vehicle to move forward from still being in gear. (No loss of brake fluid) It caused me to be involved in an accident. The investigating officer (police) tried the brakes, when he first tried the brake pedal was high and working, but then suddenly depressed to the floor for him as well. the vehicle needed to be towed to repair shop.
The vehicle is exhibiting heat spots on the rotors causing shaking while braking and making the vehicle not stop as designed or even reasonably safe. The issue first started at 7000 miles and became very undrivable by 9000 miles. The dealer turned the rotors at that time. Now the vehicle has 16000 miles and the issue has come back. I know of multiple others with the same issue including 1 family member with the same vehicle and year and multiple people on the hyunda forums. The service tech at the dealer said they see seeing this a lot now. Hyundai doesn't want to fix the issue any longer and it's still under warranty. The braking system is not sufficient for the size of the vehicle.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026