2016 Hyundai Santa FE: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 235 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (63% of complaints); the 2018 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 235 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The motor began to making a knocking noise and started smoking like a fire was starting. We immediately turned off the vehicle preventing from a full fledge fire. We had children in the car as well which posed a safety concern for them. We had no prior warning lights or issues. It has yet to be inspected by anyone.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2026
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the brake pedal was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the same diagnostic information was provided. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,322. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Hard Shift occurs between gear 1 and gear 2. The hard shift lurches the entire car. It occurs on both upshift and downshift. The hard shift occurs on cold starts. The problem goes away when you turn the vehicle off and then back on. There are no check engine lights. The dealer can't replicate the problem.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2024
“We were driving through our neighborhood at about 25 mph and we heard a slight knocking noise and then the engine shut off, no warnings or lights, just engine failure. The electronics worked, but car wouldn't start. Had it towed to a local mechanic where he said the engine is seized. We were thankful this happened at a low speed in a safe place, can't imagine how awful it would have been if we'd been going 75 mph down the 4 lane interstate. Of note, we have always kept the vehicle current on oil changes/maintenance. Prior to this, the car drove great! Never had any issues that would point to impending trouble.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2024
“The door on the drivers side does not lock. It appears that something came out of place causing the door to remain unlocked even with the use of the fab. The car is not drivable because the door swings open. It has happened in a few occasions where the lock appears to get stuck but was always fixable. On this occasion it was not. Thankfully, I was parked when this occurred.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2024
“On May 23, 2023 Was inspected for an oil leak and was informed the oil was leaking from the drain bolt (oil pan was cracked), valve cover was leaking. Was replaced with a Pan assembly-engine oil, gasket-rocker cover (with GDI High Pressure Pump gasket), and gasket- fuel pump. . However on oil leak continued and cause massive engine failure. Turned it in 5/26/2024 Had to replace engine.”Owner report · Engine · May 2024
“Car started making noise after the check engine light came on. Check engine light was on for just a few days then by the third/fourth day the car starting making noise, turned off on me a few times then just died. We replaced a few sensors and the battery and starter. Two mechanics have told me the engine is locked and needs to be replaced.”Owner report · Engine · May 2024
“The vehicle began making a knocking sound upon starting. I contacted the local dealership for a service appointment and learned that they were out a couple of months on their appointment schedule. A day or two later, my vehicle shut off while driving, I was fortunate to have enough momentum to pull of the road safely. Upon having it towed to a local mechanic, I learned that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. I contacted Hyundai and they have scheduled me for an appointment next week. Keeping my fingers crossed they will do right by me since I have always had the vehicle serviced at their Hyundai dealership. The car has approximately 118,300 miles on it.”Owner report · Engine · May 2024
“Was driving on the highway going about 65mph when the engine just lost power. Pressing the accelerator and there was nothing happening. Had the car towed home. And then to a mechanic who told me the rod was bent. I've always kept up on oil changes and maintenance. I just had an oil change less than a month prior. There were no warning signs leading up to this incident.”Owner report · Engine · May 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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."
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Santa FE by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
NHTSA has 235 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE. The most complained-about area is engine (63% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Santa FE problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,000 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:warning light/devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.