VehicleVerdict

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe carries two red flags at once: 288 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Santa Fe years to avoid. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 54% of all reports (154 of 288), far ahead of other at 26.

288

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

8

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Santa Fe years?

Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted1,231 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 219 complaints2003: 390 complaints2004: 386 complaints2005: 300 complaints2006: 143 complaints2007: 981 complaints2008: 718 complaints2009: 506 complaints2010: 331 complaints2011: 268 complaints2012: 474 complaints2013: 806 complaints2014: 679 complaints2015: 331 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 1,231 complaints2018: 143 complaints2019: 268 complaints2020: 270 complaints2021: 236 complaints2022: 292 complaints2023: 307 complaints2024: 186 complaints2025: 170 complaints2026: 39 complaints
Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine15453%
Other269%
Transmission207%
Brakes176%
Electrical System135%
Fuel System93%
Airbags93%
Seat Belts83%
Body & Structure62%
Speed Control52%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Driver Assistance41%
Seats31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Steering31%
Suspension21%
Lighting21%

Does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V056000BrakesFebruary 3, 2022 · 357,348 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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.

17V358000Latches & LocksJune 5, 2017 · 437,400 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

16V145000Seat BeltsMarch 10, 2016 · 34,200 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Driving on a slight upgrade, lost power and smoke started to come out of the vents and from under the hood. Had no brakes and by the time we were able to drift to a stop, the engine compartment was on fire. There was no warning lights. Witnesses saw fire under the car while we were coming to a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 27, 2024 · fire

“2016 HYUNDAI SANTE FE INVOLVED IN A NEAR HEAD ON COLLISION. COMBINED TOTAL SPEED OF IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH. TWO OCCUPANTS BOTH WEARING SEATBELTS AT TIME OF CRASH. DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING CRASH. PASSENGER SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED (LOCKING MECHANISM DID NOT LOCK)…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 3, 2016 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 13, 2020

“Driving on a slight upgrade, lost power and smoke started to come out of the vents and from under the hood. Had no brakes and by the time we were able to drift to a stop, the engine compartment was on fire. There was no warning lights. Witnesses saw fire under the car while we were coming to a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 27, 2024 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 13, 2020

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 288 complaints put the 2016 model at #16 of 26 Santa Fe years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Santa Fe years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (154 complaints), other (26 complaints), transmission (20 complaints).

Does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among Santa Fe years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.