2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Collision Avoidance Problems

Your Forward Collision Avoidance system activated the emergency brakes on its own while you were driving on the highway with no vehicles in front of or to the right of you, causing your vehicle to slow down suddenly. This unexpected braking nearly caused another vehicle to rear-end you. You weren't given any warning before the system engaged, and there was no traffic that would have triggered this safety feature.

For a few month now the light of ABS have been turning on. At the beginning there was no diagnosis specific, cause kept turning off. Two or three months ago again turn on and gave code of back caliper on the left and was changed. An now yesterday August 5, 2025 the diagnosis its need of change of the SBS module whole.

Smart Cruise Control relies on the inconsistent and consequently unreliable performance of the of the front-mounted radar. Otherwise-reasonable operation of the Cruise Control would abruptly terminate 1/3 to 1/2 of the intended use-time, illuminating the master warning light (the amber triangle with internal ‘!’) that was accompanied by either a ‘1’ or ‘2’ encircled by red and may or may not have included the Collision-Avoidance warning light. Subsequent examination of the rectangular shield in the center of the grill very rarely revealed more than 2 bug remnants. When the Smart Cruise Control was in operation it would abruptly apply the brakes when approaching or passing a truck in the lane to taffiche right. There appeared to be no similar conditions to the size or shape of the truck or trailer when these events would occur. None of these events applied to congested tr conditions, just otherwise open road. The ’21 Hyundai Santa Fe does not appear to accommodate any mechanism to revert to conventional cruise control, omitting the influence of the erratic front radar system. Trips to two dealerships have yielded no redress to this malfunction.

Unnecessary emergency brake activation has occured 3 times. Vehicle lease new 3/31/2021. 1. First incident late April, early May at approximately 1,000 miles. Cruise control was not on and car abruptly stopped when there were no other vehicles in front of mine. Traveling at about 35 miles a hour on local two lane road. (Activation setting on normal) 2. Brakes activated at highway speed of about 60 mph. Car was passing on right side. No threat in front of vehicle. Cruise control was off. (Activation setting on normal) 3. Was following well behind the car in front of me at approximately 30-35 mph. Other vehicle turned right into parking lot and was completely off the road when brake warning appeared on dash. (Activation setting on "late" warning) We are concerned we will be unnecessarily rear ended and causing a multi car accident. Vehicle was in for service 8/2-8/3/2021. Dealer did all they could including 62 mi test drive. Per Hyundai, no parts were replaced due to the inability to dupicate the problem.

Message: I own a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe with the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist feature installed and activated. The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist did not function properly to stop my car to avoid a low speed impact. I applied the brakes to stop. I could not avoid impacting another vehicle. The damage was minor. Hyundai did inspect my vehicle braking system on June 8 at Hyundai of Cool Springs. I was not provided full report on findings/corrective action. Hyundai America was supposed to provide a follow up report. I was called today and the Hyundai representative had no details on the brake inspection to share with me. I am suspicious. I think Hyundai is hiding a safety issue. I am reporting this event so the NTSB can contact Hyundai to determine if this is a safety defect needing corrective action. The Hyundai Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist is designed to help detect and monitor the vehicle ahead or help detect a pedestrian or cyclist in the roadway and warn the driver that a collision is imminent with a warning message and an audible warning, and if necessary, apply emergency braking. Ref: Hyundai owner's manual, chapter 7, page 7-2 On page 7-6 the system operation is described: System operation Basic function System warning and control The basic function for Forward Collision- Avoidance Assist is to help warn and control the vehicle depending on the collision level: ‘Collision Warning’, ‘Emergency Braking’ and ‘Stopping vehicle and ending brake control’. OTM070143N Collision Warning • To warn the driver of a collision, the ‘Collision Warning’ warning message will appear on the cluster and an audible warning will sound. • If a vehicle is detected in front, the system will operate when your vehicle speed is between approximately 6~112 mph (10~180 km/h). • If a pedestrian or cyclist is detected in front, the system will operate when your vehicle speed is between approximately 6~53 mph (10~85 k

THE FORWARD COLLISION SYSTEM IS AUTOMATICALLY BEING ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANY CAR OR OBJECT NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND HIGHWAY. THE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY SLAMS ON THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SWERVES A LITTLE TO LEFT AND RIGHT DUE TO THE SUDDEN APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND A LARGE RED WARING INDICATOR APPEARS ON THE DASH. WE WERE NEARLY REAR ENDED WHILE TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MILES/HR BECAUSE OF THIS. WE TURNED OFF THE SYSTEM, BUT EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, IT AUTOMATICALLY TURNS THIS FEATURE ON!! SO YOU ALWAYS MUST REMEMBER TO TURN IT OFF. WE JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. IF THIS ISNT FIXED, WE FEAR WE WILL BE REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY, OR MAKE TAIL GATERS VERY ANGRY.