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: fuel/propulsion system
8 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 26, 2024
6 months ago my rod bearing broke in my engine, and I needed a new engine. From the engine recall. With a broken rod bearing you get an oil consumption problem. Oil consumption ruing your cat converter. But they aren’t telling anyone that. 6,000 miles after my new engine, my catalac converter broke. These cars are dangerous. They’re not telling anyone that this is the next problem. They just put you back on the road. Not to mention bad for the environment!
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2023
Already reported Engine Failure on August 5, 2023. After 3 weeks, Dealer informs us the engine seized and is defective and was provided oil change records. Engine is approved for replacement under warranty, instead of getting a repaired car back, dealer calls and now informs the car rides "rough" after the engine replacement, and the Knock Sensor is faulty, MAP Sensor is faulty, and Fuel Pump needs to be replaced. We question why none of this showed up on the original inspection and diagnostic, no answer to that. Knock Sensor obviously never worked because the engine seized without any warning, and despite having warranty on the knock sensor we are told none of these items are under warranty. The car never exhibited any symptoms related to fuel pump issues, or knock or MAP sensor issues. When we were driving on August 5th, the car lost power and engine died without any prior warnings that anything was wrong. We never had any rough "ride", never had any problem with fuel or starting the car, the check engine light never came on to warn of any issues at all. If the parts are all bad, either it is related to the engine failure or they are defective. No Sensors worked or gave us any warning. We fear the car will fail again, and it is unknown if Hyundai will cover repairs. We asked for written statement for repairs and received nothing from the dealer, we asked that repairs be submitted to Hyundai to have cost covered and we have had no confirmation if it has been submitted. The car broke down 3+ hours from our home, we can't even go to the dealer to discuss in person. Limited to unanswered calls, voicemail, and emails - no responses insufficient communication. All we want is the car to be repaired properly and Hyundai should cover cost of repairs considering the massive failure we experienced without warning while driving with our children in the car, we could have all died and no well maintained car should fail in every aspect after only 8 years.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 30, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE SOME PULL ON IT'S OWN BUT CLEARLY ANYTIME THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A DEFAULT IN THE THROTTLE BODY.
Suspension, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion system, May 6, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, THE SEAT BELT IS GETTING STOCKED AND TIGHT DURING DRIVING ALSO DOESN'T RECLINE WHEN TAKING IT OFF STILL HANGING, THE FUEL EVAPORATES FROM THE FUEL TANK AND DOESN'T GIVE ANY MILEAGE AS DESCRIBED WHEN DRIVING FEEL EVERY LITTLE THING ON THE ROAD INCLUDING SMALL ROCKS.
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.
Suspension, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 3, 2018
RECALL:(#141),(#163),PLUS REAR & FRONT END SUSPENSION OUT OF LINE. BROUGHT BRAND NEW TIRES AND STILL VIBRATION FRONT AND REAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2017
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 16 MONTHS AGO, THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, I TOOK THE CAR TO LESTER GLENN HYUNDAI IN TOMS RIVER, NJ WHERE I BOUGHT IT. I USE THIS CAR AND COVER 5 STATES AS A TERRITORY MANAGER, THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 10,000 MILES AGO, THEY SAID THEY WILL TALK TO HYUNDAI TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER PART. I FEEL AFTER 1 YEAR THIS PART SHOULD NEVER HAVE FAILED. I OWNED 3 HYUNDAI'S AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THIS PART SHOULD HAVE LASTED THE LIFE OF THE CAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 28, 2016
I BOUGHT A 2016 SANTA FE SPORT AT CARMAX 8000 MILES AND WHEN I FILLED THE TANK THE FIRST TIME I COULD ONLY FILL ABOUT 13 GAL, I DROVE IN TOWN ABOUT 280 MILES. FILLED NOW A FEW TIMES AND ONLY CAN FILL ABOUT 13 GAL EACH TIME. IT SHOWS AS FULL, HOWEVER THE TANK IS A 17 GAL TANK. ALSO WHEN FILL THE GAUGE SHOWS I SHOULD GET ABOUT 380 MILES BUT I ONLY GET ABOUT 280. I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH EVEN 2015 VEHICLES AS WELL.