repaired · 2024 Q1
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
2016 Hyundai Santa FEProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 238 owner complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about the engine. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-056 the manufacturer reports only 63% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 2, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE has problems
238 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
152Engine4 crash/fire/injury
22Power train2 crash/fire/injury
11Electrical system
9Service brakes, hydraulic
9Air bags
8Seat belts
8Fuel/propulsion system
8Service brakes
6Structure
3414 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 152 | 4 |
| Power train | 22 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 9 | 0 |
| Air bags | 9 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 34 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2016 Hyundai Santa FE recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Hood: latch
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2017 Q3
Front: warning light/devices
Risk. 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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
82kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 25 engine complaints. 64% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 29% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
1under 30k miles16under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
10 owners mentioned a cost$8,500median
Middle half: $5,250 – $12,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other Santa FE year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Santa FE median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2016 Hyundai Santa FE safety ratings
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE, and the recalls they led to.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
- Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesNo recall
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
In owners' words
What Santa FE owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Supplement to complaint 11743619. The 3.3L Lambda II GDI engine seized at highway speed on January 16, 2022 (connecting-rod-bearing failure, internal components through the block). The vehicle lost all power and power steering, left the roadway and crashed off-road while the driver tried to bring…
1. Component/System Failure & Availability: The failed component is the engine's internal Camshaft Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) phaser backing bolt within the 3.3L V6 engine assembly. An internal factory bolt unthreaded, backed out, and physically pierced directly through the upper valve cover. The…
WHAT FAILED: The engine — the 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6 (engine family GHYXV03.31XE per the federal emissions label) — failed catastrophically: a connecting rod penetrated the engine block. The failed engine IS available for inspection on request. It has been preserved unrepaired since the failure, the…
Own a 2016 Santa FE?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.