Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Owners filed 236 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Oct 2015 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (151).
Complaints
236
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine151
- Power train21
- Electrical system11
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Air bags9
- Service brakes8
- Seat belts8
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Structure6
- Vehicle speed control5
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Seats3
- Wheels3
- Back over prevention3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
10
6
8
13
13
28
36
57
47
8
7
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 57 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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…”
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.”
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…”
Service brakes, hydraulic
9 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the brake pedal was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.”
Air bags
9 reports3 crashes
“Someone backed out of a parking lot and I crashed into their rear passenger side. Other party at fault but my air bags for 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport did not deploy.”
Service brakes
8 reports1 fire
“Driving on a slight upgrade, lost power and smoke started to come out of the vents and from under the hood. Had no brakes and by the time we were able to drift to a stop, the engine compartment was on fire. There was no warning lights. Witnesses saw fire under the car while we were coming to a stop. The car and all contents were totally consumed. Following some research on NHTSA vin decoder we found that this car has the same engine (GDI THETA II) that has been involved in many fires and is involved in class action suits. Even though this car has the same engine, it was never recalled. That may indicate that there are other cars out there that may have the same problem but have not been informed.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.