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2016 Hyundai Santa FE Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about the engine (65% of complaints, typically around 87,000 miles). It is 12th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2016 Hyundai Santa FE problems
Engine
153 complaints · 65%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, and there was white smoke emanating from the exhaust pipe, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the…
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the engine began to knock and then the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an engine replacement was…
Other or unspecified
25 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles.
I have a 2016 Hyundai Santa FE sport. Over the last 3 months I've had 2 occasions (both on highways) when the engine shut off while driving. The latest occurred this morning (9/26/2017) during rush hour. I was fortunate in that I had enough momentum to navigate the dead car across a lane of traffic to the side. On…
The sunroof exploded. I was driving and heard a loud noise that seemed to come from above. My kids were buckled in the back seats and my son asked me "what was that daddy"? He then looked up and noticed piercings in the underneath sheath that leads to the sunroof view. It could not roll back fully. There was also…
Transmission
21 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
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. As I got out the vehicle started going in reverse and pulled me underneath the car and the vehicle ran over me. I'm not sure if the…
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa FE. While driving approximately 30 MPH, a loud snapping noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to universal Hyundai ([phone], located at 12801 s orange blossom trl, orlando, fl 32837) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the…
Brakes
17 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v056000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the brake pedal was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was…
Electrical
11 complaints · 5%When driving the parking light comes on, downhill assist comes on and the traction control goes off, then the speedometer goes from the currant speed to zero then flutters back to the correct speed, then repeats. This has happened at speeds from 25 MPH to 70 MPH. Dealer says they can't find out what is wrong.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that the oil sensor light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated that two months later, that the engine leaked oil and failed to retain engine oil. The contact called the…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
This vehicle has a surging issue. When I come to a traffic light stop it acts like it's going to die I can fell my foot on the pedal also the RPM is drop . Took it to dealer and advise me they can't test it with out no check engine light on and it continues to perform the same also I replace the spark plug and coil…
I bought this car 16 months ago, the gas gauge stopped working, I took the car to lester glenn Hyundai in toms river, nj where I bought it. I use this car and cover 5 states as a territory manager, the warranty expired 10,000 miles ago, they said they will talk to Hyundai to see if they will cover part. I feel after 1…
Air bags
9 complaints · 4%We were hit head on by a large pickup truck. We sustained a lot of damage from this head-on collision. We were traveling around 10 miles an hour but the other car was going at least 20 miles an hour. The airbags never deployed despite being hit head on and suffering a lot of damage upon impact. We were slowing down…
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa FE. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle was taken to danbury Hyundai ([phone], located at 102 federal road, danbury, ct 06810) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not…
Seat belts
8 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: front.
No seat belt audible alarm notification when the belt is not buckled with passenger in the seat. See video web site http://www.recallmasters.com/no-seat-belt-warning-for-some-Hyundai-santa-fe-vehicles-video/
Recently we could not undo the seatbelt that our 6 year old grandson was strapped in. The more tried to extend it to release the tension the tighter it became. My grandson was being crushed and was screaming. The vehicle was not running and was parked in the driveway. I had to run into the garage and get a pair of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Hyundai Santa FE recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: warning light/devices
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
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
Loss of motive power
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
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
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 defec
Questions about the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (153 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); other or unspecified (25 complaints, typically around 24,000 miles); transmission (21 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 3, 2022 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Hyundai Santa FE?
- It is 12th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints, with 236 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.