# Hyundai Santa Fe brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 43 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (9) - **Related recalls:** 5 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 43 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Hyundai Santa Fe (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (9). There are **5 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Hyundai Santa Fe brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 2 | 339 | 1% | | 2016 | 5 | 308 | 2% | | 2017 | 9 | 1328 | 1% | | 2018 | 5 | 434 | 1% | | 2019 | 4 | 229 | 2% | | 2020 | 1 | 218 | 0% | | 2021 | 4 | 170 | 2% | | 2022 | 3 | 203 | 1% | | 2023 | 6 | 214 | 3% | | 2024 | 2 | 157 | 1% | | 2025 | 1 | 142 | 1% | | 2026 | 1 | 37 | 3% | 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 brake 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 - "There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms before the failure -- the brakes simply stopped working during operation on the freeway. As of now: -The issue has been confirmed by Hanlees Hyundai in Richmond. -I have not yet received a loaner vehicle. -The car is currently in my possession, but I do not feel..." -- owner of a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2025 - "Additionally, after the rollaway incident, I was stopped at a red light, and my brakes depressed halfway. The last few weeks the acceleration from stop is difficult, and the brakes shudder and partially depress, especially when driving over a bump - feeling every minor flaw in the road rattling beneath my foot on..." -- owner of a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2026 - "When the light turned green took foot off brake & put foot on accelerator to go forward, the car slammed the emergency brake on. This has happened approx 6 times in the 1-1/2 years of ownership." -- owner of a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Hyundai Santa Fe brake 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 brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2023 Santa Fe model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 9 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 brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### 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 - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [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 - [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 ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 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/brake/hyundai-santa-fe Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.