# Hyundai Santa Fe aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 45 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (19) - **Related recalls:** 5 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 45 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the Hyundai Santa Fe (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (19). There are **5 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. ## Hyundai Santa Fe aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 9 | 339 | 3% | | 2016 | 5 | 308 | 2% | | 2017 | 19 | 1328 | 1% | | 2018 | 7 | 434 | 2% | | 2021 | 1 | 170 | 1% | | 2022 | 1 | 203 | 0% | | 2023 | 2 | 214 | 1% | | 2025 | 1 | 142 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Hyundai Santa Fe recalls related to the aBS warning light **[23V651000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V651000)** (2015 models, reported 2023-09-22): An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. **[22V810000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V810000)** (2018 models, reported 2022-10-27): An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2022. **[22V056000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V056000)** (2016-2019 models, reported 2022-02-03): An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. **[21V303000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V303000)** (2015 models, reported 2021-04-28): An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Note: This recall includes all... **[20V520000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V520000)** (2015 models, reported 2020-08-27): If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire. **Remedy:** Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. Note: This recall has been superseded by NHTSA Recall 21V-303 and all affected... Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Hyundai Santa Fe owners report - "Transmission warning and ABS warning lights appeared at the same time. The vehicle would not shift properly and began skipping and dropping gears. Smoke was visibly coming from the center underside of the vehicle near the transmission area. There was a strong burning oil or rubber smell inside and outside the..." -- owner of a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2026 - "The dealership have explained that a rear wheel speed sensor (ABS) had failed and was sending messages to the the braking system which made the braking system inoperable. The dealership replaced the sensor and at this time the vehicle is operating as expected." -- owner of a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2024 - "We then had the warning light, front collision light, the traction control light, the abs light, the auto hold and the emergency brake all light on the dash. We also lost the blind spot sensor on the side mirrors. Called the dealer and took the car in. Two days later was told it was a wheel sensor and all should be..." -- owner of a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2022 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the aBS warning light means The ABS light means the anti-lock brake system has found a fault and turned itself off. Your regular brakes should still work, but the wheels can lock up in a hard stop, especially on wet or icy roads. The most common cause is a failed wheel speed sensor. If the red brake warning light is also on, the problem may affect normal braking and you should stop driving. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (most common) 2. **Damaged sensor wiring or tone ring** (common) 3. **Low brake fluid** (less common) 4. **ABS module or pump failure** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [ABS warning light](/warning-lights/abs). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Hyundai Santa Fe abs light? Yes. NHTSA lists 5 related recalls (23V651000, 22V810000, 22V056000, 21V303000, 20V520000) covering 2015-2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 19 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Hyundai Santa Fe with the abs light on? Drive to a shop this week. If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. Stop driving and have it towed if the red brake light is on too, the pedal is soft or sinks, or the car pulls hard when braking. ### How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Fe has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Hyundai dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Hyundai Santa Fe warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-santa-fe): 17 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/hyundai-santa-fe): 43 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-santa-fe): 602 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/hyundai-santa-fe): 43 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/hyundai-santa-fe): 35 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 12 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/hyundai-santa-fe): 51 complaints ## ABS warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ram-1500): 280 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-wrangler): 180 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-silverado): 89 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-accord): 72 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-grand-cherokee): 58 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-traverse): 53 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-sonata): 42 complaints - [Toyota Prius](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-prius): 40 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/gmc-sierra): 37 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sorento): 36 complaints ## Hyundai Santa Fe - [Hyundai Santa Fe specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-santa-fe) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.