2007 Hyundai Santa Fe: brake failure

Filed Nov 14, 2011 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · NY

With out any warning my rear brakes failed. I had to apply as much brake pedal as I could to stop the vehicle. After that I kept my speed down to a speed that I feel that I could stop the car safely. A short time after that the front brakes started shuddering. I was headed for my cottage in north ontario at night were there are no garages so I had to have parts sent to that location were I replaced the front and rear rotors and brake pads. If had to make an emergency stop with the brakes in that condition I would have surely had an accident. Luckily the traffic was light. The rear brake pad was so tight in the caliper that I had to hit it with a hammer to free it and I had to grind part of the new pad so that it would fit loose in the caliper. I have to assume that the front breaks had to work so hard with no back breaks that the front rotor warped from the heat since they were fine up to that time. This is definitely a design flaw in the hyundai brakes. The fit of the brake pad to the caliper is too close and the slightest amount of rust causes them to jam. Even without rust the new rotors were so tight that any good mechanic would not install them in that condition. This is a serious faults and I am not alone with this problem. Hyundai's answer is to pay $ 200 every year and have the brakes serviced. This is not a solution since they could seize up to 6 months after service the way the hyundai brake parts are rusting. I had check all my brakes at the end of the winter and they seemed to be fine. The pads were not worn and the car was stopping okay. [xxx] note that I live in canada but the car was purchased in buffalo. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 27, 2011 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · CT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 hyunai santa fe. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact heard a grinding and squealing noise upon engaging the brake pedal. Also, there was a burning odor coming from the overheated brakes. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they resurfaced both front and rear rotors. Also, the front and rear brakes were replaced. The identical failure recurred two years later. The manufacturer was notified of the premature brake failure. The vehicle had not been repaired for the most recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000. Updated 08/31/11 *bf updated 2/21/12

Filed Jul 20, 2010 · Driver assistance · 58,900 miles · CO

2007 hyundai santa fe - may 27, 2010 I was driving on the interstate at 65mph when the passenger rear wheel locked up causing the car to fishtale - as I moved over in to the slow lane, it fishtaled again. The dealer it was towed to said it was the yaw sensor which they replaced. I informed them at that time that the ecs off light had been coming on to which they replied it had nothing to do with the yaw sensor I called the week of july 4th to let the dealer know that the ecs off light came on again - they informed me that this has been a problem for many santa fe's and they needed me to come down (150+ miles one way) to hook it up to see what the code tells them. On july 19, 2010 driving 75mph on the interstate, both rear wheels locked up and there were no brakes. This car is a danger to my life!

Filed May 18, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 52,000 miles · NJ · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated while in the reverse position, the vehicle abnormally accelerated without warrant. The vehicle crashed rear end into a loading dock and sustained substantial rear body damage. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure and current mileages were 52,000. Updated 07/19/10 *bf the consumer stated the brakes failed. Updated 07/21/10

Filed May 8, 2010 · Brakes · 21,132 miles · IA

With only 21,132 miles on the vehicle, the left rear brake caliper stuck resulting in loss of braking when pads wore out. Brakes were inspected less than 3000 miles prior to loss of braking.

Filed Jul 6, 2009 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 hyundai santa fe. While parking in the driveway, the contact stated that the rear brakes seized up and became extremely hot. He did not notice any prior issues with the brakes. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the emergency brake failed and there was rust build up on the rotors. The manufacturer stated that the failure was due to an environmental issue; therefore, they could not assist. The current mileage was 26,282 and failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2009 · Brakes · 15,198 miles · NY

Brake failure almost caused me to skid through a red light that was at 50 miles a hour highway intersection. The car was purchased new 7/18/2007, and was recently inspected by the dealer as part of a 15,000 mile check up at that time I expressed a concern about the car's hesitation upon acceleration november 5, 2008 I was told that my 2007 hyundai santa fe had it's rear brakes locked on and the whole rear brake system needed to be replaced and I skidded because they had failed and my front brakes were doing all the work. I was told by many car specialists that this should not have happened with a vehicle under 18 months with only 15,198 miles and that it is a problem with hyundai's inferior brake system and that it will happen again! I fear that next time, I won't be able to stop and lost of life may occur.