Diagsheet

Third generation, long, wheelbase (NC / Santa Fe XL)

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

The most reported problem on the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is engine failure, with 90 complaints, usually around 87,000 miles.

  • 236owner complaints
  • 3recalls
  • 6involved a crash
  • 73,000median miles at failure

Newest report Sep 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

miles

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
Photo: HJUdall, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

What is your Santa Fe doing?

Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.

Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe has 236 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Santa Fe model years since 2014, it has the 4th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.

At a glance

Next to the 2017
At 21 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs well under the 2017 (97). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
Top problem
One problem takes up much of the file: engine failure, named in 90 of the 236 complaints (38%). A quarter of the 44 owners who gave a mileage for engine failure saw it by about 71,000 miles, and half by about 87,000.
Crash, fire and injury reports
10 of the 236 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 6 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 6 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 3 of 6, fall under airbag.
Recalls behind the top problems
No recall on file is on the same system as engine failure, stalling and misfire. For those, the complaints are all there is.
When owners filed
Filings peaked in 2023 at 57 and have dropped every year since, to 8 in 2025. So far in 2026, 7 more have come in.

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine failure, knocking or rod bearing, 90 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Every complaint with a mileage116 of 236
116 complaints state a mileage. The most, 17, fall between 0 and 10,000 miles; 7 are past 150,000.
Burns oil or oil level rises21 reports

middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.

Behind you

    Around your mileage

      Ahead of you

        How this compares

        2016 Hyundai Santa Fe236
        Median 2016 model here (106 vehicles)253
        Median 2016 SUV here (48)248

        236 complaints is about the median for a 2016 model on this site and about the median for a 2016 SUV. Among the 13 Santa Fe model years here it ranks 4th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Service bulletins for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

        Hyundai filed 111 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. 4 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.

        Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.

        Check engine light or misfire 3 bulletins · 36 complaints

        • Service bulletin20-AT-008HFeb 20, 2020

          If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a “Check Engine” light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.

        • Service bulletin19-AT-024HNov 15, 2019

          If you are servicing a vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition.

        1 more on this problem
        • Service bulletin5NP-F8N6C-10Sep 23, 2016

          THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE UPDATE TO PREVENT AN INCREASE IN THE CATALYST TEMPERATURE WHICH MAY RESULT IN ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WITH THE FOLLOWING DTC(S): „H P0171 - SYSTEM ...

        Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 17 complaints

        • Service bulletin20-AT-011HMar 25, 2020

          If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a “Check Engine” light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.

        Complaints filed by year

        Complaints by the year NHTSA received them: 2015: 3, 2016: 10, 2017: 6, 2018: 8, 2019: 13, 2020: 13, 2021: 28, 2022: 36, 2023: 57, 2024: 47, 2025: 8, 2026: 73'1510'166'178'1813'1913'2028'2136'2257'2347'248'257'26

        57 complaints came in 2023. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        NHTSA investigations

        AQ23-002opened Nov 17, 2023
        Brakes · model years 2013 to 2018

        Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.

        NHTSA summary
        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.
        DP22-003opened Sep 12, 2022
        Engine · model years 2010 to 2021

        Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.

        NHTSA summary
        The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan as
        DP21-003opened Nov 12, 2021
        Speed control · model years 2007 to 2016

        Throttle control system vulnerabilities. Closed jun 20, 2023.

        NHTSA summary
        The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recor

        Recalls that include the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        22V-056Feb 3, 2022
        Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: 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.
        17V-358Jun 5, 2017
        Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch

        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.

        Risk and remedy
        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 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.
        16V-145Mar 10, 2016
        Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices

        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."

        Risk and remedy
        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 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.

        All 3 recalls on the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

        Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean

        Questions

        What is the most common problem on the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe?

        Engine failure, with 90 of the 236 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 87,000 miles.

        At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?

        Of the 116 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 31,000 miles and half by about 73,000.

        Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe better or worse than the 2017?

        Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has fewer complaints than the 2017: 21 a year against 97.

        How many 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?

        10 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.

        Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe?

        No recall on file for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is on the same system as engine failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        Other model years