10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,978 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #71

May 172023

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my Santa Fe sport I have an issue with loss of power when accelerating. I was getting on the freeway and attempting to merge with freeway traffic. When I was pressing the gas to accelerate the car the RPM's rose but my speed would not. I had to pull off as my vehicle could not get up to speed. It has happened twice now and only when trying to get on the freeway. No warning lamps. It is terrifying and dangerous. My Santa Fe engine was replaced around 84,000 for the failed engine issue it has about 134,000 (50,000 on new engine) now. I am concerned that this engine is possibly defective as well. My MPG has declined and now this issue.

- Milwaukie , OR, USA

problem #70

Apr 112023

Santa Fe

  • miles
2016 Sante fe and this is not the first engine I seen go back I seen 2011,2012 -??.. and this one 2016 happen to me. Had oil oil change done have record of it but no sign engine just blow

- Utica , NY, USA

problem #69

May 012023

Santa Fe

  • miles
This is an ongoing SAFETY ISSUE. We purchased this 2016 Hyundai SantaFe Sport used in July 07, 2022 with 98493 miles on speedometer. 30 days give or take after purchasing I checked the oil and no oil was showing on the dip stick even though the dealer we purchased the car from had changed the oil prior to selling the car. I had to add 3 1/2 quarts of oil to show on the dip stick to the first mark. I then started checking oil frequently and to date am using oil at a rate of approx. 1 quart of oil every 256 miles. On 1/19/2023 I went to my local Hyundai dealer (Jenkins Hyundai) in Bridgeport WV and informed them of the problem. The Service Writer checked the car and offered to run an Oil Consumption Survey for 1,200 to verify oil usages. On 2/23/2023 I checked the oil and found it just touching the dip stick, notified the Dealer and they said to being it in so they could add the oil during the Test. Dealership added 2.06 quarts of oil and INFORMED ME THAT HYUNDAI DENIED PA REQUEST GIVEN THAT THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. Hyundai dealer would not continue with the oil test as Hyundai Corporate wouldn't pay for labor and parts. As reported in social media, TV news, newsprint, etc. Hyundai and Kia have millions of engines with oil consumption safety issues that are catching fire, blowing engines, stranding owner/drivers in the middle of the highway, and the list goes on. The trade-in and resale value of Hyundai/Kia vehicles has diminished/reduced in value to................ I and millions of HYUNDAI/KIA owners/drivers are asking for the NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADM. (NHTSA) to please investigate and issue a RECALL for all HYUNDAI/KIA products with an oil consumption problem. Thank You.

- Mannington, WV, USA

problem #68

Apr 062023

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car began to misfire. Took it to the dealership and found that it didn't have any oil in it even I just had the oil changed less than 2,000 miles before. The timing was out and the valves were bent causing the misfiring. All of this is because it was burning oil without any indication or warning. This engine has less than 100,000 miles and Hyundai won't claim this on warranty even though they have a 100,000 mile warranty on there vehicles.

- South Ogden, UT, USA

problem #67

Apr 052023

Santa Fe

  • miles
The engine in the vehicle is a DGI engine which Hyundai has had problems with in other vehicles. The bearings on the engine are damaged and the engine is failing. It can no longer be driven because the engine could fail as it is being driven.

- East Haven, CT, USA

problem #66

Feb 282023

Santa Fe

  • miles
This Hyundai had the motor replaced with a Hyundai recall... they did not replace the one-time use fuel line that HAS to be replaced when removed. Started leaking fuel out of that line. while I was driving the fuel from the line caught the exhaust on fire and within seconds had flames engulf the car.

- Cleveland , OK, USA

problem #65

Mar 082023

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is using excessive oil. Three days after getting a fresh oil change, I have to add oil to my vehicle. It continually has a fire burning smell. I've taken to a certified Hyundai facility; however, I'm always turned around and told you'll have to replace your engine soon.

- Auburn, AL, USA

problem #64

Feb 182023

Santa Fe

  • miles
On feb 18 2023 headed southbound on i75 I had my cruise control set at 70 and was cruiseing when I heard a loud hiss and seen smoke come from under the hood, I decreased speed and heard a loud bang and more smoke, when the vehicle stopped I stepped out and found all the oil from the engine on the ground under the car. After having it towed I looked under the car and found a large hole in the engine block.

- Deshler, OH, USA

problem #63

Dec 192022

Santa Fe

  • miles
My engine exploded while traveling on the interstate. Apparently a rod failed and blew a hole through the engine and though the oil pan.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #62

Jan 062023

Santa Fe

  • miles
My car has never had any real problems the whole 2 years I-??ve had it, until one day suddenly it started making a minor sounding knocking noise and as I was driving it in the same day trying to get home the sound got worse and worse and then it stopped. Oil light came on and it was smoking only for a minute. A rod had come out from the bottom of the motor and knocked all my oil out. I-??ve been told it automatically needs a new motor but costs $10,000! I know I am not the only person who has had a problem with a Hyundai motor.

- Dixie, GA, USA

problem #61

Jul 122022

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Motor fundido

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #60

Jun 132022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Similar to the other Hyundai issues the car was driving just fine down the road and coming through to an intersection lost all power suddenly. Similar thing happened with my Sonata with the connecting rod failure. Happened coming into a busy intersection that drops from 65 mph to 35 mph and is also an intersection lots of tractor trailors and garbarge trucks are drving through which could have resulted in a very bad accident. Took the vehicle to manufacturer and they are refusing to replace it even with the class action lawsuit settlement.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #59

Oct 252022

Santa Fe

  • miles
I bought vehicle with 109,000 miles engine blew with 111,000 miles. It needs a new engine. This is the 3.3 v6 engine and it is out of warranty

- Byron, IL, USA

problem #58

Oct 072022

Santa Fe

  • miles
My wife and I were driving home from a road trip when all of a sudden the engine starts making a weird noise. No lights were on the dash and I was 5 min from a family members, so we drove there. We checked our oil and realized that there was none in the engine. My car only had 120,000 on it and we've taken it to the dealership for all oil changes and have purchased every recommended package to keep the car in tip top shape. The dealer service center said they had three cars in right now trying to get new engines.

- Watertown, MN, USA

problem #57

Sep 272022

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was at a stop light and turned right onto the road. As I was turning, the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. And then the car stopped running. I was able to pull into a parking lot NOTE: THIS IS THE 2nd ENGINE THAT HAS FAILED ON MY CAR. Additionally, I-??ve just learned there was a recall and I was never informed of it prior to today.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #56

Aug 012022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine was using oil. Then dropped all engine oil, made noise then locked up.

- Graysville, AL, USA

problem #55

Aug 182022

Santa Fe

  • miles
The engine control module (CPU) failed and at first the car experienced random warning lights thatwhen placed on diagnostic computer, no codes were noted. the next issue was a strong gasoline smell in the cabin. the cpu read this as a faulty fuel pressure regulator. when a second code pull was done it was reported as evaporator canister failure requires changing. The problem was in fact a leaking fuel injector rail and two injectors with defective improperly seated "O" rings. Explainig the gas smell and poor milage. "Ms. G" owns the 2016 santa fe sport with 2.0 GDI motor. There are about 80K miles The intermittent warning lights became and issue during the annual inspection/tag renewal. the DMV inspector saw the traction control, ABS, incline parking brake light and the service engine soon warnings intending to fail the car after the problemwas explained he connected his code reader, and found no codes. About April of 2022, a recal notice was recieved noting especially the 2,0 GDI MOTOR. I explained everything to the Huyndai rep. who informed me that the recall was directly related to the matters we discussed. When i described the final episode where the motor simply shut off. I explained it was towed to my shop, again placed ot the full spectrum scanner / computer. At this time a complete systems diagnostic was preformed, ignition on - motor not running, including a complete sensor check. It was during this portion of the testing that I noticed that asensor was not reporting any data, or the existance of an oil pressure sensor. Now the ignition switch was then turned on/off the designated number of times and the car was started and a definite knock was detected. Ms. G is by no means uninformed regarding automobiles her parents restored several vintage Jags, And a 1966 330GTS Ferrari.The point being had she had any warning the vehicle was low on oil she would have checked and added as needed. In the end the Hyundai rep assured us the engine replacement was free.

- Smyrna, DE, USA

problem #54

Mar 202022

Santa Fe

  • miles
On 3/20/22 I had my car towed to Jenkins Hyundai due to mechanical issues with no prior warning. So basically, I was driving home and noticed that my temperature gauge showed in the hot zone. At no time did any lights on the dashboard come on to notify that the engine was overheating. My vehicle is a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe with only 120k miles with regular maintenance performed. At no time did any dashboard lights come on to notify that there was a issues (problem one). Additionally, prior to this I had just had my vehicle serviced at the dealership at 117k miles in which a vehicle inspection was performed. Upon Hyundai looking at the mechanical issues they stated that they found RH Head Gasket leaking into combustion chamber and upon disassembly found 3 head bolts loose and pulled threads out of the block. All block threads were found to be compromised. Lucky my car was towed to the dealership because with the head bolts loose and coming out of the engine could have lead to a more serious injury. Seems that this is a mechanical defect in the engine.

- Citrus Springs, FL, USA

problem #53

Sep 052022

Santa Fe

  • miles
The engine stopped while driving on a back road. There were no lights or warnings. The car is now at the dealership for diagnosis.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #52

Jul 142022

Santa Fe

  • miles
One of the cam shafts failed, also the actuator. We had purchased an extended warranty so the repair is supposed to be covered. However when the dealership submitted a pre-authorization they were asked to remove the oil plan and check for metal. They did find metal in the oil pan so they required that the engine short block be replaced in order to cover the cost. That part- the short block - is back ordered and we have been told to expect a delay of at least 3-4 months. The warranty company will only cover a rental car for 10 days so we are stuck. We have spoken to multiple mechanics and dealerships who are telling us that they are seeing this all over - V6 CVT engines failing after 65-70k miles. Obviously the Hyunday Certified Pre-Owned warranty folks also know there is a problem since they made the mechanic check for metal. This is clearly problem and we will be without a car for months. We made were up to date on all regular maintenance. HYUNDAI Case# 19971861

- Attleboro, MA, USA

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