2016 Hyundai Santa Fe · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 90owner reports
- 87,000median miles
- $8,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
153 of the 236 complaints on this car are about the engine. 90 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Santa Fe.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (29 reports)
Tick what matches of 90 reports
Engine failure on other Santa Fe years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (87 reports) and the timing chain (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Santa Fe
3.3l engine loss of motive power (lomp). Closed may 16, 2024.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-226.
Engine seizure. Closed aug 12, 2002.
What owners paid
15 of the 90 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $12,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 70,800 and 113,000 miles, from the 44 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Engine knocking/failure at 75000 miles. No warning/check engine lights prior to failure. Dealership quoting $17k to rebuild engine.”
Filed Mar 19, 2024 · 75,000 miles
“Sudden catastrophic engine failure with no explanation from the service department at the dealership. Service was well maintained, no oil leak, all service done via the dealership but at 102K miles, engine failed suddenly. This is the V6 3.3L engine. Hyundai has agreed to replace it but it is on back order with no ETA.”
Filed Mar 9, 2024 · 102,000 miles
“My 2016 Santa Fe engine spun a rod bearing at 130,900 miles. Took to dealership and they diagnosed it and refused any warranty.”
Filed Jul 9, 2023 · 130,900 miles
“I was driving and all of a sudden my car quit sounded like a belt broke so I coasted to Thackers Repair and he told me a rod went right through the side of the engine so I would need a new engine. I had my oil changed every 3000 miles there was no reason for this, and I did not receive any recalls.”
Filed Jun 16, 2023 · 3,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 90 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 53 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 36 reports