2016 Hyundai SANTA FE SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
78,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 67 complaints (61.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 19.4% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 14.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 11.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 41 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Engine: 41; Unknown Or Other: 14; Electrical System: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 41 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 6; 2024: 4; 2025: 24; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11013096 · 2017-08-06 (August 6, 2017)
THE SUSPENSION IN MY CAR IS SO ROUGH RIDING THAT NO ONE WANTS TO RIDE IN THE CAR ANY MORE. WHEN I BRAKE, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS SUDDENLY, EVERYONE SLAMS OR JERKS FORWARD; WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS, EVEN GENTLY, EVERYONE JERKS AROUND. IT'S AWFUL.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11013096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11021608 · 2017-09-05 (September 5, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO KILL A BUG ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WITH HIS HAND AND THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEMIS HYUNDAI IN SYCAMORE, ILLINOIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11021608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090050 · 2018-04-25 (April 25, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED WORLD HYUNDAI MATTESON AT [phone removed] (5337 MILLER CIR DRIVE, MATTESON, IL 60443) AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. INSTEAD, THE CONTACT CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT DID NOT RET…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119372 · 2018-08-11 (August 11, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF THE CAR. IF THE SUNSCREEN HAD BEEN OPEN, MY WIFE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN CUT TO PIECES BY THE FLYING GLASS.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11144982 · 2018-11-02 (November 2, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COASTAL HYUNDAI (915 W NEW HAVEN AVE, MELBOURNE, FL 32901) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VIBRATION WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11144982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11183745 · 2019-03-03 (March 3, 2019)
THIS VEHICLE HAS A SURGING ISSUE. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND IT CONTINUES TO PERFORM THE SAME. NOT PLEASED .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11183745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11196160 · 2019-04-14 (April 14, 2019)
FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS STAYED ON WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT AT THE TIME. IT WILL GO OFF OCCASIONALLY BUT ONCE I HIT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT TURNS BACK ON.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11196160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11207459 · 2019-05-14 (May 14, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER KEFFER HYUNDAI ( 9010 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATHEWS, NC) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT AN ENGINE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HARNESS WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NOX SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11207459 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V358000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2017-06-05 (June 5, 2017)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗