2016 Hyundai SANTA FE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Hyundai SANTA FE has 288 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (53% of all complaints), specifically: 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 sp. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 8 crash reports 10 injuries

288

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

154 complaints

53%

• 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 SP
• ENGINE FAILED AT 63,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. HYUNDAI BLAMES IT ON SLUDGE IN OIL PAN. WITH OUT SERVICE RECEIPTS WILL NOT WARRANTY ENGINE. SERVICED ENGINE MYSELF AND DIDN'T SAVE CASH RECEIPTS.
• I HAD MY 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SERVICED BY HYUNDAI FOR A TIRE CHANGE AND OIL CHANGE ALONG WITH THE RECALL UPDATE ON JAN 17, PRIOR TO GOING FROM ST LOUIS MO TO WICHITA KS. I AM A TRAVELING NURSE, MY CONTRACT WAS STARTING MONDAY THE 20TH. I WAS ADVISED THE RECALL WAS A SYSTEM UPDATE FOR IMPROPERLY WO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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 SP”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

26 complaints

• 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
• 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
• 2016 HYUNDAI SANTE FE INVOLVED IN A NEAR HEAD ON COLLISION. COMBINED TOTAL SPEED OF IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH. TWO OCCUPANTS BOTH WEARING SEATBELTS AT TIME OF CRASH. DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING CRASH. PASSENGER SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED (LOCKING MECHANISM DID NOT LOCK) RES

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

20 complaints

• 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.
• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. ALSO, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT DOWNSHIFTED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

17 complaints

• The ABS, traction control, and another light are illuminated. Upon investigating online this is a known issue with these cars. No recall has been issued. My car is available for inspection.
• The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repai
• 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 not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a rea

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“The ABS, traction control, and another light are illuminated. Upon investigating online this is a known issue with these cars. No recall has been issued. My car is available for inspection.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

11 complaints

• 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 REPA
• 2016 HYUNDAI SANTE FE INVOLVED IN A NEAR HEAD ON COLLISION. COMBINED TOTAL SPEED OF IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH. TWO OCCUPANTS BOTH WEARING SEATBELTS AT TIME OF CRASH. DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING CRASH. PASSENGER SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED (LOCKING MECHANISM DID NOT LOCK) RES
• 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/

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“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 REPA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 288 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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 SP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: The ABS, traction control, and another light are illuminated. Upon investigating online this is a known issue with these cars. No recall has been issued. My car is available for inspection.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)