Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Hyundai Santa FeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 236 owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. Most complaints involve engine (151) and power train (21). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2022
Owner complaints
236
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Feb 3, 2022NHTSA 22V056000

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Jun 5, 2017NHTSA 17V358000

Seat belts: warning light

Free remedy

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."

Seat beltsReported Mar 10, 2016NHTSA 16V145000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

236 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2015 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine151
  2. Power train21
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  5. Air bags9
  6. Service brakes8
  7. Seat belts8
  8. Fuel/propulsion system8
  9. Structure6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Santa Fe model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001209
2002171
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007684
2008541
2009359
2010260
2011181
2012355
2013605
2014494
2015255
2016236
2017972
2018110
2019203
2020218
2021168
2022202
2023214
2024156
2025137
202637
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

151 reports1 crash2 fires
“1. Component/System Failure & Availability: The failed component is the engine's internal Camshaft Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) phaser backing bolt within the 3.3L V6 engine assembly. An internal factory bolt unthreaded, backed out, and physically pierced directly through the upper valve cover. The vehicle and intact failed engine are currently located at an authorized Hyundai dealership service center in [XXX], and remain fully available for immediate physical inspection by federal investigators upon request. 2. Safety Risk: An internal engine bolt unthreading and puncturing through the valve cover creates an extreme safety hazard. A high-velocity metal bolt piercing the engine casing causes immediate engine seizure, sudden loss of motive power at highway speeds, loss of power steering/braking assistance, and massive pressurized oil discharge directly onto red-hot exhaust manifolds, posing a severe risk of sudden catastrophic vehicle fire and multi-vehicle highway collisions. 3. Dealer/Independent Confirmation: Yes. The failure was formally inspected, reproduced, and confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership service department. Dealership technicians…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11762257

Power train

21 reports
“Hard Shift occurs between gear 1 and gear 2. The hard shift lurches the entire car. It occurs on both upshift and downshift. The hard shift occurs on cold starts. The problem goes away when you turn the vehicle off and then back on. There are no check engine lights. The dealer can't replicate the problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2024Power trainODI 11622185

Electrical system

11 reports
“Abs system is randomly locking up calipers causing a dangerous speed wobble. Dealership can't re create so won't diagnose. Have had to replace all brake calipers and components were near new but ruined because of abs applying brakes when unnecessary. Vehicle is very unsafe to drive, pulled hard to left at one point veering me into oncoming traffic. Independent mechanic has made caliper release by manually releasing abs system. Same results were not found by releasing pressure at master cylinder making abs the obvious culprit. No warning lights but I just replaced two cracked rotors on rear at 130k miles. That should not happen. Has caused hub readings of 270 on three different tires at 3 different times. Santa fe has recall on this system for every year but mine, very curious as to why not. If this was not a dealership only part , it might not be such a big issue, but being it is main source of stopping a 4000 lb vehicle, I have concerns. Hyundai dealership was very condescending and of little to no help. I have an Independent are certified mechanic who is happy to talk with you if needed. Please help, as of right now am.making payments on an unsafe vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2024Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11606096
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Santa Fe FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050432
Santa Fe AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200446
Santa Fe Ultimate FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172320$3,200457
Santa Fe Ultimate AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.3 L · All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400476
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 10699Vehicle 10698
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Santa Fe questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

Owners filed 236 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (151), power train (21), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026