2016 Hyundai Santa Fe · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 29owner reports
- 90,168median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 6, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
29 of the 90 reports of engine failure on the 2016 Santa Fe describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (90 reports)
Tick what matches of 29 reports
Engine knock 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: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the knock sensor (5 reports), the engine (4 reports) and the rod bearing (3 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 80,000 and 118,300 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Drive The car on the Highway and seemed like I was losing power and a few minutes later I heard a knocking on the engine”
Filed Jun 23, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 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