2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe has a Complaint Index of 20 and ranks 17th of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict capped due to a Park Outside brake recall. Engine problems dominate at 67% of complaints, with median failure around 87,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 Santa Fe years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 236
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine157 (67%)
- Other26 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (9%)
- Brakes19 (8%)
- Electrical System13 (6%)
- Airbags9 (4%)
- Fuel System9 (4%)
- Structure & Body9 (4%)
- Seat Belts8 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple front and side-impact crashes, including a head-on collision and a T-bone impact.
- Owners describe engine failures including a bent camshaft that required full engine removal and replacement.
- Some drivers reported losing brake function on an incline while smoke and fire emerged from the engine compartment.
- One owner reported the sunroof exploding while driving at highway speed, scattering glass inside the cabin.
- A driver's seat reportedly failed to hold position and collapsed backward after being rear-ended.
- One owner described the transmission shifting into drive instead of reverse while parked.
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V056000Feb 3, 2022Brakes357,348 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: 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 17V358000Jun 5, 2017Structure & Body437,400 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
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.
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.
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 16V145000Mar 10, 2016Seat Belts34,200 vehicles
Seat belts:front:warning light/devices
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."
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.
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.
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Santa Fe a Complaint Index of 20 and a Caution verdict, ranking 17th out of 21 model years for this model. The verdict is capped to Caution because of a Park Outside brake recall.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Engine issues make up 67% of complaints, the largest share of any category, with a median failure mileage around 87,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2016 Santa Fe: an ABS module brake recall with a Park Outside advisory, a hood latch cable recall, and a seat belt buckle wiring recall.
- How does the 2016 Santa Fe compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 20, the 2016 model is worse than years like 2011 (index 15, rated Best) but better than 2017, which has the highest index at 100 and an Avoid verdict.