2016 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 236 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 6 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideFeb 3, 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Campaign 22V056000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Campaign 17V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, warning light/devicesMar 10, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.
Campaign 16V145000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
153 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Oct 21, 2021
vehicle went in for state inspection repairs 10/20/21 w/dtc code p0453 included.vehicle was returned 10/21/21 after inspection and engine seized down the road from dealership.no loaner car recieved had to take shuttle. seized at 86000 miles. car prior was burning up engine oil abnormally & would hesitate when trying to take off from a stop or regular driving. small knocking noise heard as well at times .regularly maintenced and had ecm #953 update 05/22/2019 waiting to hear back from irwin hyundai in nh
Engine, Oct 20, 2021
My son was on the expressway and vehicle started to slow down and would not accelerate. The check engine light came on. He pulled over and the engine died and would not restart. I had the car towed to a vehicle repair place and they found that the engine had thrown a rod and needs to be replaced. Vehicle has been well maintained and was in good shape. It was just purchased used from a dealer 05/03/21.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 20, 2021
The problem with my purchased Hyundai is that it's not giving a warning message for the oil or over heating. The engine continues to gather a lot of gunk. Also, there is a recall on these specific models and I was notified by a class action law suit. HyundaiThetaEngineSettlement.com. The car has a chance of exploding. I did not agree with the terms of the class action suit. It was only offering compensation if I was already injured, or having to commit conspiracy with a crime of lemon law and consumer rights, and possible murder. These SUV's were built in 2016 and had enough time to be taken off the market. I purchased my vehicle last year 2020.
Engine, Aug 5, 2021
UPON START UP ENGINE IS VERY LOUD, CONTINUES TO BE LOUD AND DEALER SAYS IT IS JUST ENGINE NORMAL ENGINE NOISE
Engine, Jul 31, 2021
3 systems have failed within my two years of ownership. The biggest fault ....and this is what you guys need to know!!!!!!! ATTENTION NEEDED. DECEMBER 2020, I was put in total danger and others ️. After months of telling the dealer that the engine was idling really rough - like a shaking - and revving weirdly at times of acceleration. They continued to tell me there was nothing wrong with it and made me seem like I was the crazy one. Fast-forwarding to December 2020, I started to now hear this metal clacking noise from the engine. Made a 3rd appointment at the dealer that was a week out - but never MADE IT. Because few days before it, I was going out to a friend's and clacking started to get even louder - as LOUD could hear in the cabin. THEN as about to get onto highway on-ramp WITH NO WARNING- no check engine light - no notice whatsoever - engine rpm spiked loudly and a very loud pop followed - and engine totally ceased. Lost total engine propulsion - vehicle rolled to a stop and then all lights and sounds started going off with check engine light NOW FLASHING. HAD TO have HYUNDAI towed to the dealer - in which "there was an engine rod bearing failure - which caused the engine to cease. Dealer took days to even get it seen and wouldn't give a loaner till deemed a fault under "warranty" which clearly was with there 10 yr - 100,000 mile warranty - which makes sense because there poorly made/crafted engine designs that involve the GDI ENGINES_ which have been known to fail prematurely - CAUSE FIRES _ and has even killed people. They aren't fixing the engine design they simply are putting the same KIND IN>>> and putting a system that detects engine knocking. THAT DOESNT FIX THE PROBLEM - and they KNOW THAT. There was no recall on my car or got anything in mail regarding engine dangers. Further Hyundai would not give me any paperwork regarding the repair besides an engine assembly - a replacement that all. I readily asked for more info and they wouldn't give it.
Engine, Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to stall and then ceased. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle but continued to experience the failure. The contact stated she was able to drive at a slow speed to her residence but started to smell fumes. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and who was unable to service the vehicle due to a fuel leak. The contact called and notified the local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,622.
Engine, Jun 26, 2021
My engine stalled on the highway with no warning lights or symptoms. I've owned it for 6mo. It had regular recorded maintenance and showed no issue. Then as I was driving home from work, the car seized up and jerked to a full stop at previously 65mph. Inspection by dealership revealed that my engine blew at 70,800 miles. With no warning. No symptoms. Hyundai will not pay for repairs, $9000 on top of the $14000 I still owe. This car put me in an unexpected dangerous situation!! Every other year of this make and model has been recalled. Please recall the 2016, it is not safe!
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 23, 2021
Drive The car on the Highway and seemed like I was losing power and a few minutes later I heard a knocking on the engine
Engine, Jun 4, 2021
vehicle stalled and locked up was not able to push breaks or turn steering dealer advised me engine was stalled and needed to be replaced, was known in my model, this was why this vehicle and year had an extended warranty unto 200K miles. The engine was replaced and the vehicle is still not running correctly. When accelerating to turn on on highway, it seems stalled and doesn't move, returning to dealer tomorrow after being w/o a vehicle 3 weeks. It is not coming up on your recall notices and am concerned this is a safety issue.
Engine, Jun 2, 2021
The car was sitting in the driveway waiting to be started up. When the car was started, there was a knocking sound from the engine. I turned the car off and checked the oil. The oil was down about 2 quarts, so I decided to change the oil since we were goin on a trip. I changed the oil and the knocking sound did not go away so we took it to a dealer. We change the oil every 5-7 thousand miles and reset the service button. The car is at the dealer and I have not heard a word from them.
Engine, May 23, 2021
Driving home from work, Car jerked me forward and stopped at 60mph. Engine promptly shut off. Turned key over and put car into neutral to get it off of the highway. Herrnstein Hyundai of Chillicothe told me that my Nu Engine had blown and i need a total replacement. No warnings or dash lights came on. Hyundai states they wont help despite the recall to be posted on June 25th.
Engine, Apr 29, 2021
I GOT MY ENGINE REPAIRED, BUT THE TEST DRIVE SHOWED A SENSOR FOR THE OIL VALVE? THING. HYUNDAI WAS SUPPOSED TO OVERNIGHT IT AS OF FRIDAY 4/23. MY CAR IS STILL NOT DONE. I AM NOT COMPLAINNG ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PART AND HOW THEY TAKE SO LONG. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE 3/20/2021. I HAVE HAD NO CAR SINCE THEN. I AM IN SALES AND A SINGLE MOM. I HAVE BEEN USING MY BOYFRIEND'S TRUCK, BUT I CANT DO THAT FOREVER. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO WHY HYUNDAI ISNT QUICK WITH DELIVERING PARTS? IM BEYOND FRUSTRATED. HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY WILL NEVER BE A COMPANY I PURCHASE FROM EVER AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. [XXX] [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Engine, Apr 19, 2021
VEHICLE IS 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT WITH 133,000 MILES. I HAVE DOCUMENTED PROOF OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. VEHICLE WAS GETTING 32-33 MPG. ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED KNOCKING AND DIED WITHIN A FEW MILES. REPAIR SHOP SAID HYUNDAI EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM 100,000 TO 120,000 FOR THIS ISSUE. MY CAR HAS 133,000 AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2011 TO 2014 RECALLS. ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH REBUILT HYANDAI ENGINE. IMMEDIATELY ISSUES STARTING OCCURRING SUCH AS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, AND NOW IT WON'T ACCELERATE TO 55 MPH. THERE IS NO POWER AND THE NEW ENGINE IS KNOCKING. AT NEARLY $8,000 OUT OF MY POCKET I AM AGAIN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR WEEKS ON END. I AM AN ESSENTIAL WORKER WITH A NEWBORN CHILD AND I CANNOT RISK A BREAK DOWN WHILE ENROUTE THE 37 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK OR AT ANY OTHER LOCATION. ANOTHER ACQUAINTANCE HAS A 2016 SONATA AND HER ENGINE IS ALSO MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. PLEASE INCLUDE THE NEWER MODELS ON THE ENGINE RECALL AS THEY ARE DOING THE SAME. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE FOR A RELIABLE VEHICLE. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET ANOTHER 150,000 MILES AT LEAST OUT OF MY SANTA FE AND IT COULD DIE A NORMAL DEATH AS OPPOSED TO A QUICK DEATH DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE FAILURE AND OTHER ENGINE ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED.
Engine, Apr 13, 2021
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR 45 MILES AN HOUR ON SATURDAY APRIL 10TH, AROUND 5:40PM IN THE CURB LANE. THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED UNEXPECTEDLY. I MANAGED TO COAST TO A SMALL PARKING LOT OFF OF A BUSY STREET. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND ASSESSED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY SEIZED, BUT THEY PERFORMED NO REPAIR. THE NEXT SCHEDULED CAR SERVICE WAS 86600 MILES, AND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD ~84K MILES NOT LONG AFTER ITS SERVICE AT ~83K MILES. PLEASE NOTE THAT DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS OF PANDEMIC, THE CAR GETS TAKEN OUT TO THE GROCERY STORE, A MILE A WAY, ONCE A WEEK OR TO A LOCAL BUSINESS NO MORE THE 8 MILES FROM THE HOUSE VERY OCCASIONALLY. SO THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT SEE HEAVY USAGE. HYUNDAI USA INDICATED THAT I SHOULD HAVE THIS CAR TOWED TO ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS FOR ASSESSMENT, BUT HAVE ALSO DETERMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES FROM ORIGINAL FIRST USE. THE CASE NUMBER WITH HYUNDAI USA IS 18154048.
Engine, Apr 3, 2021
1ST OCCURANCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, ENGINE WENT INTO "SAFE MODE" AND ACCELERATION DECREASED DRAMATICALLY. DEALERSHIP PUSHED A "UPDATE" TO THE COMPUTER AND "FIXED" IT. ISSUE HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT THE ENGINE KNOCK SENSOR IS MESSED UP.
Engine, Lane departure, Back over prevention, Mar 25, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED A TAPPING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAP HITTING THE CAR. I NEEDED GAS, SO GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE, THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE. I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION. AS I ENTERED THE PARKING SPOT, THE CAR DIED. (IT HAD BURNED OIL IN THE PAST. I HAVE HAD AN ENGINE CAM REPLACED IN AUG/SEPT 2019). I CHECKED THE OIL. NO OIL! SO, I RAN AND BOUGHT 5 QUARTS OF OIL AND PUT THEM IN THE ENGINE. I STARTED THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO IDLE, BUT FINALLY DID AFTER A MINUTE. I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW AND THE CAR NOISE WAS MULTIPLE CLANGING SOUNDS. IT WAS AS LOUD AS A BAD MUFFLER. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND CALLED MY BOYFRIEND. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE MY ENGINE BLEW. I CALLED MCGRATHS IN HIAWATHA, IOWA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED THERE. I AM 6000 MILES OVER MY 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I AM TOLD THAT HYUNDAI WON'T COVER THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR SOUNDED EXACTLY LIKE THE PROBLEM WITH THE HYUNDAI 4 CYLINDER ENGINE TROUBLES THAT WERE RECALLED IN 2018. HYUNDAI KNEW I WAS HAVING ENGINE ISSUES IN 2019, AND WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE CAM. I FEEL THAT MY ENGINE SHOULD BE COVERED BY HYUNDAI. CURRENTLY, MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO ASK HYUNDAI FOR A "GOOD WILL" PERCENTAGE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS IS NO GUARANTEE. I AM OVER THE IOWA LEMON LAW LIMIT FOR MILEAGE AND YEARS. I FEEL THAT SINCE THERE WERE ENGINE ISSUES WITH OTHER ENGINES HYUNDAI MADE, THAT THEY KNEW I WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND WOULDN'T REPAIR IT CORRECTLY. I NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE CHECK INTO THIS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I AM PREPARED TO GET A LAWYER. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED EVER.
Engine, Mar 19, 2021
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON AN INTERSTATE, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND THEN QUIT. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND LEFT AT A DEALER TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE DRIVER THEN HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE TO COMPLETE HIS TRIP OUT OF STATE.
Engine, Nov 4, 2020
CAR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. COULDN'T ACCELERATE, SERIOUSLY BAD SMELL, AND VIOLENT SHAKING COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE AT 68,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED AND WILL COST US $7,000.
Engine, Sep 15, 2020
SUV STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF FREE WAY. ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE BOARD TURN ON AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ENGINE WHICH I THINK IT'S I'MPOSIBLE BEING A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 13, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS (ENGINE, OIL, ETC...) CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND LOST POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULDNT START. IT JUST MAD A CLICK WHEN TURNING THE KEY. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WORK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 82,000 MILES
Engine, Aug 25, 2020
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 APPLIED BREAK AS TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF MY WAS SLOWING DOWN. CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN FAILED TO ACCELERATE. PULLED OFF INTERSTATE CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS TOWED 160 TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. HAD TO RENT A CAR TO FOLLOW MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP ADVISES BY RSA THAT I COULD NOT RIDE WITH TOW DRIVER. ADVISED BY BY SERVICE MANGER THE NEXT DAY THAT CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE, ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ADVISED THAT ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC IS NEEDED TO SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL TO DETERMINE IF ENGINE WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. STUCK IN CHEYENNE, WY OVER 1K MILES AWAY FROM. DEALER CAN'T OFFER ME A LOANER TOO FAR HOME AND CAN'T OFFER A RENTAL THAT CAN BE DRIVEN OUT OF STATE. FORCED TO FIND OTHER MEANS TO GET HOME. RECEIVE EMAIL AND HAVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL TODAY VEHICLE IDENTIFIED AS BEING INCLUDED IN CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR ENGINE FAILURE. SO NOW HERE I SIT AND WAIT NOT SURE IF REPAIR WILL BE COVERED AND WITHOUT A VEHICLE.
Engine, Aug 10, 2020
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER 8/4/2020 DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. I WAS TOLD THE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. NO OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED. I'M CURRENTLY WAITING TO HEAR IF THE REPAIR WILL BE COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY OF IF I WILL BE FACED WITH THE $17K REPAIR. VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS REQUIRED SERVICING EVERY YEAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT (CPO).
Power train, Engine, Aug 8, 2020
WHEN I STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR HAS VIBRATION I CAN FELL IT WHILE I STEP ON THE BREAK I TOOK IT 2 HYUNDAI THEY ADVISE ME IS NORMAL.
Engine, Jul 16, 2020
WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED, CAR SHUT OFF, (LUCKILY NOT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY) WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. HAZARD LIGHTS DID WORK.TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. HYUNDAI ASSESSED AND CLAIMED AN ENGINE RECALL. IT'S BEEN A MONTH. BUT HYUNDAI DID REPLACE THE ENGINE ALONE WITH ADDITIONAL PART.
Engine, Feb 11, 2020
MY 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IT IS IN A GARAGE NOW AND THEY ARE TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.