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, Jan 21, 2020
I HAD MY 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SERVICED BY HYUNDAI FOR A TIRE CHANGE AND OIL CHANGE ALONG WITH THE RECALL UPDATE ON JAN 17, PRIOR TO GOING FROM ST LOUIS MO TO WICHITA KS. I AM A TRAVELING NURSE, MY CONTRACT WAS STARTING MONDAY THE 20TH. I WAS ADVISED THE RECALL WAS A SYSTEM UPDATE FOR IMPROPERLY WORKING SENSORS. MY MOTOR BLEW 2 HOURS INTO MY TRIP ON JAN 18TH WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND FELT IT AS WELL. MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OIL WAS POURING OUT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS 30 DEGREES AND IM STUCK ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER, WHERE I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET A RENTAL VEHICLE SINCE THE RENTAL LOCATION WAS CLOSED FOR THE DAY. I COULD NOT GET A LOANER VEHICLE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MILES I HAD TO DRIVE. MY ONLY OPTION WOULD BE TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I WAS STRESSED AND VERY OVERWHELMED, THINKING ABOUT MY NEED TO GET TO WICHITA KS AND UPSET THAT MY VEHICLE THAT WAS JUST SERVICED BY HYNDAI HAD BLOWN UP ON THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN AN HOUR OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, FINALLY HAVING A MOMENT ALONE, WITHOUT A SALESMAN IN MY FACE, I REALIZED THIS WAS A MISTAKE. I CALLED BACK TO RETURN THE VEHICLE BUT MY SALESMAN WAS GONE FOR THE DAY AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSING. I TEXT MY SALESMAN ON SUNDAY ADVISING THAT I WANT TO RETURN THE NEW VEHICLE AND JUST GET THE RENTAL CAR AND MY VEHICLE FIXED, AS HYUNDAI ROADSIDE HAD PROMISED. ON MONDAY JAN 20TH I WAS ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT REVERSE THIS SALE AND I COULD NOT GET MY VEHICLE BACK. NOW I'M STUCK IN A VEHICLE I DO NOT TRUST WITH A HIGHER PAYMENT, HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM, FEELING COMPLETELY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I DO NOT TRUST THE HYUNDAI BRAND. SEVERAL INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED TO OTHERS DUE TO THEIR LACK OF HONESTY. THERE ARE MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT HYUNDAI'S POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES. THE RECALL IS CALLED A CAMPAIGN.
Engine, May 6, 2019
ENGINE FAILED AT 63,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. HYUNDAI BLAMES IT ON SLUDGE IN OIL PAN. WITH OUT SERVICE RECEIPTS WILL NOT WARRANTY ENGINE. SERVICED ENGINE MYSELF AND DIDN'T SAVE CASH RECEIPTS.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 17, 2019
THIS VEHICLE HAS A SURGING ISSUE. WHEN I COME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT STOP IT ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE I CAN FELL MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL ALSO THE RPM IS DROP . TOOK IT TO DEALER AND ADVISE ME THEY CAN'T TEST IT WITH OUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND IT CONTINUES TO PERFORM THE SAME ALSO I REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL WAS BURN BAD AND RUST SILL HAVE SAME ISSUE LOOK LIKE ISSUE WITH FUEL OR IDLE.