2016 Hyundai SANTA FE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
236 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
62,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 69 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 151 of 236 complaints (64.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 26 | 11.0% |
| Engine operation | 22 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 4.7% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 3.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.1% |
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 | 151 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Power Train | 21 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
Engine: 151; Unknown Or Other: 25; Power Train: 21; Electrical System: 11; Air Bags: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Service Brakes: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 167 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 57 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2015: 3; 2016: 10; 2017: 6; 2018: 8; 2019: 13; 2020: 13; 2021: 28; 2022: 36; 2023: 57; 2024: 47; 2025: 8; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 22 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 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 10779741 · 2015-10-05 (October 5, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT HAD TWO MINORS SEATED IN THE REAR AND GLASS PARTICLES FELL ON THEM; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10785665 · 2015-10-23 (October 23, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL THE SCREWS IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17.
Owner-reported narrative. 17 miles reported. Look up ODI 10785665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10809600 · 2015-12-11 (December 11, 2015)
THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70MPH - THE SOUND WAS LIKE A GUNSHOT INSIDE THE CAR - THIS IS A SANTA FE SPORT 2016 MODEL THAT I BOUGHT ON JULY 5 2015
Owner-reported narrative. 4,995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10809600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820369 · 2016-01-15 (January 15, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD ONTO THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, IN COLD TEMPERATURES, ICE ACCUMULATED INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD. ON HOT AND HUMID DAYS, CONDENSATION WAS VISIBLE INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.....UPDATED 02/10/16 *BF ...VIDEO AVAILABLE *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10838069 · 2016-02-24 (February 24, 2016)
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED,WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO DRIVE. IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE ONLY WAY TO RESET IT WAS TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART THE ENGINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10838069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10850507 · 2016-03-19 (March 19, 2016)
VEHICLE'S STEERING REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION. VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP VEHICLE IN A LANE, SOMETIMES ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. NOT A PROBLEM FOR IN-TOWN DRIVING, BUT A MAJOR PROBLEM ON HIGHWAYS. PROBLEM GETS EXPONENTIALLY WORSE AS SPEEDS INCREASE, ESPECIALLY ON I-45 AND I-130 IN CENTRAL TEXAS WHERE SPEEDS ARE 80+. WINDY CONDITIONS MAGNIFY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS ESSENTIALLY WEAVING DOWN THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS SINCE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS HEADING TOWARD CENTERLINE OR SHOULDER. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 565 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10852291 · 2016-03-29 (March 29, 2016)
THE SUV 2016 COME EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL 235/55 R19 TIERS, THE SUV HAS ONLY 3400 MILES ON IT SINCE PURCHASE, I LOST TWO TIERS ON A BLOW OUT AT LOW SPEED 35 TO 40 MPH, SIDE WALLS FAILED, (IT WAS ON A STREET) I VISUALLY INSPECTED THE TIRES MYSELF AND AGREED WITH THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10852291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853568 · 2016-04-05 (April 5, 2016)
THE FRONT SUNROOF ON MY 2016 SANTA FE I BOUGHT IN JAN 2016 THAT HAS APPROX. 8000 MILES, EXPLODED ON THE WAY TO WORK WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT IN MY RIGHT EAR, THEN GLASS BEGAN TO FALL ON MY HEAD AND THROUGHOUT THE CAR - I'M SURE THE MAJORITY OF IT WAS SUCKED OUT AND ONTO THE INTERSTATE. (I HAD THE SUN SHADE INSIDE OPENED SO MY CHILD COULD WATCH THE RAIN ON THE RIDE TO THE BABYSITTERS.)I FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN I GOOGLED IT. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND ISSUE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853568 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V145000 · Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices
Reported: 2016-03-10 (March 10, 2016)
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."
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2022-02-03 (February 3, 2022)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗