2016 Hyundai Santa FE

● Typical for this model

2016 Hyundai Santa FE
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2016: 235 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2001	209
2002	165
2003	308
2004	303
2005	216
2006	106
2007	683
2008	541
2009	358
2010	258
2011	181
2012	353
2013	605
2014	493
2015	254
2016	235
2017	957
2018	108
2019	194
2020	204
2021	165
2022	196
2023	205
2024	140
2025	127
2026	32

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 64%

64% of complaints: engine — 150 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

We recently had the car to the local dealership for engine problems. It took over 3 months, but they finally determined that the camshaft was "bent" and they had to remove the engine to replace it, costing almost $5000.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230906

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE CAR WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP IN A DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BECAUSE I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR TO GET THE MAIL. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WENT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190315

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

FIRE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 4%

4% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Someone backed out of a parking lot and I crashed into their rear passenger side. Other party at fault but my air bags for 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240315

Had an accident where driver side front of vehicle was hit. The severity of crash resulted in total loss. The driver was hurt and concussed due to her head hitting the side window, driver side.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240313

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20160427 — seat belts

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016.

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.

Campaign 16V145000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170804 — latches/locks/linkages

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

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.

Campaign 17V358000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

R 20220531 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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.

Campaign 22V056000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires