Automatic Emergency Braking problems of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

Five problems related to automatic emergency braking have been reported for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2025 Santa Fe.

1 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 11/26/2025

There have been several times that I have been driving and either turning onto a 4-lane road (2 lanes going each way) or driving on the parkway, where my car has slammed on the brakes by itself. Not only was I not prepared for this to happen, but neither were the cars behind me. I tend to drive with at least 1. 5 car-length space between myself and the car in front of me. Last week, I was making a right hand turn (going north) into the right lane from a residential street. The only other car near me was the one driving in the left lane (also going north). My car drove about 100 ft and maybe realized that there was a car next to me and just slammed on the brakes. I was suddenly thrown forward. My seat belt locked and I was thrown back into my seat. I had a bruise from my seat belt and came too close to slamming my head on my steering wheel. Thankfully, the car behind wasn't tailgating. About a month ago, I was driving on the parkway going east. I was originally in the right lane. I put on my blinker and when it was clear, I changed lanes to the middle lane. After I was clear and my blinker was off, my car started screaming to tell me that there was a car in my driver's blind spot (this happens every time I switch lanes). I drove for maybe 1. 5 - 2 miles and then suddenly, my car slammed on the brakes. Someone must be watching over me because the escalade behind me (definitely tailgating) was somehow able to swerve into the left lane and then swerve around me to cut me off in revenge. They were screaming and honking at me, while I was screaming and yelling at my car. They could have easily have plowed into me (we were driving at least 60mph) and could have caused a horrible accident that could have killed myself or others around me. I have notified Hyundai of this issue and have read many similar complaints online. Hyundai claims they cannot "replicate the situation" and therefore, Hyundai corp is unable to fix the problem.

2 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 10/14/2025

1. [xxx] – I went to get into the satna fe, the lights blinked and mirrors moved into the unlock position, but doors would not open. I had to use my husbands car since he was out of town to get to work. I came home at lunch after calling my husband and my salesperson , paula and used the valet key and was able to unlock and get into the vehicle. I then started the Santa Fe and this is when the safety warning message appeared. I felt unsafe and paula had the Hyundai of statesboro tow the vehicle from my home, retained it for approximately three days, and reported the issue resolved after clearing diagnostic messages and conducting a 50-mile road test. Vaden of statesboro contacted me on October 17th stating it was ready for pickup and all the codes were cleared. I picked it up on October 18th. 2. [xxx] – the same issued with the doors not opening and had to use the valet key again, the safety warning reappeared around midday while driving, accompanied by a hard shift / drivetrain shock. The vehicle was returned to Hyundai of statesboro at approximately 5 p. M. The dealer acknowledged the repeated issue and provided a rental vehicle for me ([xxx]), while repairs continue. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

3 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 09/10/2025

My wife was parking our vehicle near the front of our home, simply rolling forward toward the car in front of her to complete parking on the left side of the street when the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated on its own. The vehicle turned hard to the right, struck the bumper of the parked car she was pulling up behind, continued right across the traffic lane where it hit two parked cars on the other side of the street with significant impact, lifting and turning one onto the sidewalk, at which point our vehicle went across the sidewalk and stopped after hitting a fence. The forward collision avoidance that we have experienced engaging previously, never engaged, despite hitting multiple vehicles on the lefft side and then right side of the street. The collision avaoidance alarms that we have experienced sounding previously, also never went off. The airbags never deployed, despite hitting 3 cars at two different sides of the street, as well as an iron fence that never moved. The vehicle went from traveling less than 5 mph while completing the last few feet of parking to a high rate of acceleration within a path of less than 40 feet, as evidenced by the significant damage it left. Had my wife not come to a stop as quickly as she did, she could have been seriously injured. If anyone had been on the sidewalk - there are 3 shcools on this block that children are often present - someone could have been killed. The vehicle is currently at a body shop being evaluated by insurance adjuster and likely a total loss. We reported tot the manufacturer and they intend to repsond to us by 9/16 and inspect the vehicle in its current state.

4 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 07/21/2025

Hyundai disabling critical vehicle safety systems if people wear sunglasses. I brought my2025 Hyundai santafe hybrid, this has driver attention monitoring system. Since the day I brought this vehicle I have been getting issues related to driver attention warning system. This error is being caused for no reason, this comes on when vehicle comes on and stays on (sometimes for days sometimes for weeks and sometimes for hours). Hyundai says this issue is because I have a dash cam in car, error wont go away even when dash cam is removed. Recently Hyundai engineers said its because you may be wearing sunglasses. What? wearing sunglasses will disable aeb and cruise control !!!omg. I removed sunglasses and tried still wont work. Hyundai sent me list of things not to do, including not to laugh, not to shorten your eyes and not to wink. This is a major safety concern, not allowing drivers to wear sunglass which will disable safety critical systems.

5 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 06/12/2025

Occasionally, the vehicle acts like I am not looking at the road and I’m not sure if it is because of my hair, glasses, hat, or my lazy eye. On three different occasions in nearly 8000 miles it will randomly hard break on the interstate. Initially, I had thought this was something I was doing. When I was finally able to speak with the service staff, they confirmed that this is a common issue with people wearing glasses or any other items the vehicle does not register as normal. At this point, I am afraid to drive a vehicle once I learned that this is a safety setting I cannot control. I have been told by Hyundai that the vehicle is operating as it should however it is extremely concerning that this could cause an accident on the interstate and someone could get killed.


Other Forward Collision Avoidance related problems of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe



Santa Fe Service Bulletins
Santa Fe Safety Recalls
Santa Fe Defect Investigations