2008 Hyundai Santa Fe: brake failure

Filed Aug 9, 2019 · Engine · 165 miles · NC

Turning left thru an intersection th e car stalled, leaving us with no brakes and very little steering. This has happened more than once.

Filed May 17, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 124,000 miles · WV

I was driving at a low speed, making a left-hand turn when the car lost all power. No brakes, no steering. I was able to get the car into a driveway. I was able to restart . About 1 hour later the same thing, only this time I was making a left-hand turn across a very busy city street.. I was almost hit by an oncoming vehicle. This is very dangerous and will probably sell the car & tell the new owners about my issue. I have not taken it to a garage, as the closest hyundai shop to me is an hour away. I do not feel safe driving that far.

Filed Jun 20, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 110,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. While driving 60 MPH, the brakes failed to disengage after the brake pedal was depressed and a burning odor was noticed. The anti-lock braking system and the electronic stability control warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and noticed smoke coming from all four tires. The contact left the vehicle idling for awhile and the smoke stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic and electrical control units failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2015 · Engine · 107,000 miles · NJ

My wife indicated that when she got on the ramp to rt. 80 , the car completely shut down. She also stated that she almost had an accident since she had no brakes nor power steering. This occurrence has been reported to the national highway safety by a number of owners yet you continue to ignore the problem which could be attributed to oil dripping from the valve cover on to the alternator. I guess you're waiting for some accidents to happen before taking action....maybe a few deaths resulting from a crash. Very proactive!

Filed Apr 18, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 95,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the engine rpms increased excessively as the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The contact stated that the brakes failed to respond and the vehicle was placed in neutral in order to stop the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 95,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 64,000 miles · CT · 1 injury

I was backing out of a driveway when the accelerator began racing. I was able to stop the vehicle and put it in drive while my foot was on the brake, when the car raced forward, accelerating out of control. I had my feet on the brakes but the brakes did not work and the car continued accelerating forward crashing into a neighbors yard and demolishing their landscaping before I managed to stop the vehicle and turn it off. I was not seriously injured, but it could have ended much differently as I crossed a main highway before the car came to rest. Because I have floor mats other than those issued by hyundai, I was told by the dealership that the floor mat caused the gas pedal to become stuck in the down position. This is not what happened and would also not explain why the brakes did not work at all.

Filed Dec 27, 2010 · Brakes · 25,300 miles · TX

We have a 2008 hyundai santa fe. Several times now it had unexpected brake failures. Last time on december 19 2010. I tried to stop the car in the intersection on red light. The brake went to the floor and the car entered the intersection. Second time I hit the pedal and it stopped. Then when I arrived home I tried to park and it happened again. There were similar problems also in 2009. The dealership cannot duplicate the problem. I drive my car in school zones. And this thing happened in the school parking lot too. I do not feel safe driving the car.

Filed Mar 1, 2010 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · MO

I have experienced brake failure on 2 occasions. I took my 2008 hyundai santa fe to the dealer on monday, march 1, 2010. The brakes were checked completely, and the vehicle was taken on several test drives. The service tech was unable to duplicate the failure. Therefore nothing was replaced or repaired. The first occasion of brake failure was on wednesday night, february 24th, I was slowing down and getting ready to make a right turn, as I approached the driveway I put my foot on the brake pad, and it went to the floor, and I coasted past the driveway. Went up turned around, with no brake problem. The second incident was on sunday february 28th, as I pulled into the church parking lot, I tapped the brake to slow down and turn to park, as I hit the brake, my foot went to the floorboard, and I again coasted past where I wanted to turn. Luckily there was no one walking or stopped in front of me. I am concerned that the next time this happens someone will get hurt. And, I no longer feel safe driving my car.

Filed May 13, 2009 · Brakes · 1,095 miles · NY

I purchased a brand new 2008 hyundai santa fe gls awd on 4/13/2009. On friday, may 8, 2009 at approx 5:20 pm I was driving to my sisters who lives 5 minutes away with my son in the car. I had just turned onto the street and a red light was 1 block away. I was slowing down, when I was about two car lengths from the next vehicle I applied the brake it went all the way to floor. I pumped the brake several times with no response. I immediately turned the wheel toward the side of the road to go in a ditch when the brake finally engaged and I stopped. I slowly drove into a nearby parking lot. Tested the brakes and continued to my sisters. Four hours later we were driving home. Still cautious and leaving room between me and other cars. I was completely stopped. The brake let go and my car shot forward. Luckily I hit the brake again and it caught. My son and I both were pulled back and hit the seats by the seat belts. I drove the few blocks home and called a tow truck the next morning. My vehicle has been at the dealer since. They are insisting that I pick up the vehicle tomorrow even though they have not found the cause. They refuse to repair anything because they are unable to duplicate it. I am not comfortable driving a vehicle just waiting for the next brake failure. I may not be lucky next time and may fine myself in an accident where myself and others could be injured. I have seen many reports from others online with the same issues. There must be some defect on the brakes in this vehicle and I hope someone will make hyundai be responsible and fix their vehicles and back their product before someone is seriously injured.

Filed Jul 22, 2008 · Brakes · 1,500 miles · OH

I have a new 2008 hyundai santa fe with 1,500 miles. After driving on an interstate and driving a short distance after stopping for the exit ramp, I attempted to stop again. The brake pedal went to the floor with no action whatsoever. I tried again and it stopped. I checked the brake fluid level and it was still full. I checked for any visible signs of liquid leaks around the wheels, but observed none. Two hours later the same occurrence and the next day the same occurrence. There were no injuries or accidents as I kept driving slowly and checking the brakes frequently. I've scheduled an appointment with the local hyundai dealer.

Filed Jun 23, 2008 · 2,065 miles · CA · crash

I have a 4 month old 2008 hyundai santa fe. I was driving it on the freeway and took my foot off the gas to get ready to brake for my exit. When I took my foot off the gas pedal the engine kept revving and pulling the car forward. I didn't know what to think. I immediately hit the breaks to see if maybe the cruise control kicked in, even though I didn't go near the cruise control. When I hit the brakes, much to my horror, I had no brakes!!!! I punched the brake pedal to the floor a bunch of times and nothing!!!!!! I had to step on the emergency break, put the car in neutral (to keep the engine from revving on its own) and drive my car into a hillside on the side of the freeway to stop it! It's a miracle that myself and my passenger were not harmed and that I didn't kill or injure anyone else. Unacceptable for a new vehicle or any vehicle to have this happen.