10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,841 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Feb 092024

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

In May 2023, I booked an appointment to get the software update for the immobilizer issue on my Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2016. Issue resolved. In February 2024, the vehicle was vandalized in a driveway but was NOT stolen. However the alarm did not trigger unless it was 'tripped.' Why"??" Today it is March 15, 2024 and vehicle is still at collision shop getting everything repaired.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #23

Nov 152023

Santa Fe

  • miles
The company has stopped supporting their Bluelink function that is causing the screen to do a continuous search for a connection and remaining blank so the controls and cameras are not visible. The company has sent out patches for some models as the old service was on 2g and 3g which are discontinued but they are not sending an update for my vehicle. I have engaged the dealer and they say they've had numerous complaints on this matter with no fix available. This is an absolute safety hazard and needs to be addressed. Please help me; I am an [XXX] Veteran and should not have to buy a new car to be safe! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Please help me; I am an 83 year old Veteran and should not have to buy a new car to be safe!

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #22

Oct 012023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine caught fire while driving. Vehicle is a total loss as fire department did not arrive for 20 min. Currently at a Copart yard in Gainesville, ga. Lucky I was on a rural road and my dog and I were able to get out of car. Only injury is cough that has not gone away after 4 weeks. No warning lights, but did smell what seemed like burning brake fluid prior to fire. Both Hyundai and Farmers insurance have inspected the car. Of note is that Hyundai replaced the engine at around 60k miles due to engine oiling issues.

- Blairsville, GA, USA

problem #21

Nov 012021

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

After crossing 90,000 miles the vehicle started to consume too much oil too quickly. After a professional analysis the mechanics found no problem. Going on 112,000 miles now and the vehicle is going through and/or burning oil much more rapidly than what one would expect

- Woodlake, CA, USA

problem #20

Sep 252023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Oil burns through engine Oil light doesn-??t work when I need an oil change. So I-??m having to put 4 quarts of oil in myself every week Need towing as I-??m unable to drive because I don-??t want to take a risk of engine blowing

- Fitchburg, WI, USA

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problem #19

Oct 182022

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was driving and all of a sudden my car quit sounded like a belt broke so I coasted to Thackers Repair and he told me a rod went right through the side of the engine so I would need a new engine. I had my oil changed every 3000 miles there was no reason for this, and I did not receive any recalls.

- Duchesne, UT, USA

problem #18

Feb 182023

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

In three separate occasions this month, my car has cut off on me on a major highway. Also one of those times when this happened I almost got into a car accident.

- Old Bridge , NJ, USA

problem #17

Oct 012021

Santa Fe

  • miles
The clockspring of hyundai steering wheels does not work and goes bad. This is a known problem within hyundais. A bad clock spring leaves without cruise control, a functioning horn, or most importantly, a functioning airbag. You would be unable to alert an inattentive driver and the airbag may not deploy in the event of a collision Problem is confirmed by dealership. No warning lamps or messages occur from the issue. You only know when your buttons or horns don't work.

- Henderson, CO, USA

problem #16

Jan 012022

Santa Fe

  • miles
2016 Santa Fe - While driving on interstate all warning lights came on - antilock brake, check engine, electronic power steering, vehicle grade, outside temp blinking blank. Took to reliable shop and they said it was right front speed sensor, had that replaced still all warning lights on. Engine code that caused the lights was P2159 (Vehicle Speed Sensor B range performance) I took the car to Jim Click dealership in Green Valley they had the car for 7 days said they finally figured out that it had wires that were shorted that fed back to modules and they would have to do an overlay of these wires, so they would run new wires in the area that was bad, we got the car back after repairs and it is all working now, the car only has 86 k miles and has never been in an accident all wiring in the vehicle look still brand new. I read online of this same year of car has problems due to engine fires and suggest to park car away from anything in case it does catch fire, the article also talks about it starts with the antilock brake control module that can cause an electrical short. I am wandering if this is going to happen again because they repaired shorted wiring but did nothing to replace any bad control modules that may be causing fires in these vehicles. These repairs cost me over 700 dollars in which I think should be under warranty, But the real scary thing is I don't want to be driving down the road and have this car go up in flames. The article on the internet I read was written by Tom Krisher AP Auto Writer he also states that Kia is also also included with this problem.

- Green Valley, AZ, USA

problem #15

Oct 182021

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was driving and all of a sudden heard a rough rattling sound coming from the engine. Hyundai didn-??t have time for me, so I had it towed to a local mechanic. Diagnostic: timing chain done but also knocking of the engine. Oil consumption causing this and new engine required. Had it towed to Hyundai a couple weeks later. Same diagnoses- new engine required for engine knocking and failure of internal timing components. Hyundai confirmed the engine oil consumption is bad.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #14

Sep 192020

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

The problem with my purchased Hyundai is that it's not giving a warning message for the oil or over heating. The engine continues to gather a lot of gunk. Also, there is a recall on these specific models and I was notified by a class action law suit. HyundaiThetaEngineSettlement.com. The car has a chance of exploding. I did not agree with the terms of the class action suit. It was only offering compensation if I was already injured, or having to commit conspiracy with a crime of lemon law and consumer rights, and possible murder. These SUV's were built in 2016 and had enough time to be taken off the market. I purchased my vehicle last year 2020.

- Miramar, FL, USA

problem #13

Aug 072021

Santa Fe

  • miles
Recently I Viewed a low oil light on the dash board, turned motor off waited 30 min checked oil the level it was correct, called the local Hyundai dealer (Miami lakes Hyundai) they told me since I was the 2nd owner my vehicle has 60 months factory warranty and my car has 70 months since purchased, I asked if there was an engine recall they said no for that model year, SORRY. I took my vehicle to an independent auto shop they concluded that at 180 degrees Fahrenheit engine running temperature I had between 8 to 9 Lbs. of oil pressure at idle and that it should be a least 25 Lbs. The Auto shop informed me that the cause was excessive bearing wear that was causing my low oil pressure light. I found that to be very implausible because of the low mileage 42000 miles with oil services done every (3000) miles not 4000 or 5000 miles as recommended by the factory specs, The shop also told me that 2.4 Ltr. had that defect so did a little searching and found Hyundai 2.4 ltr. Theta engine with a massive recall except my model year. hoping someone in NHTSA can point me in the right direction.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #12

May 192021

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Wilmington , NC, USA

problem #11

Sep 072020

Santa Fe

  • 48,000 miles
Vehicle caught fire spontaneously at a parking lot. Car was just serviced and inspected a month prior at the Hyundai dealer where I purchased it and had no problems reported. Car was parked at the time of the incident. From the initial report from the fire department the cause of the fire was a mechanical issue. The vehicle was a total loss.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #10

Aug 232020

Santa Fe

  • 51,000 miles
When coming to a stop with the brakes applied, the rpms jump to 4,000 and the vehicle surges forward. The vehicle stopped after putting it in neutral. This happened on 8/23/20 and other times. Dealer could not replicate and denied any knowledge of the problem.

- New Prt Rchy, FL, USA

problem #9

Oct 252019

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine gone bad and needs replaced. While driving lost power, later to find from dealership that engine was no longer good. This though vehicle is 3 years old. Was later told that engine had recall which I was never made aware.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #8

Mar 112019

Santa Fe

  • 50,109 miles
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 not sure if the transmission slipped out of park to reverse on its own or if the shifter wasn't actually placed in park. I thought the vehicle could sense if no one was in the drivers seat and automatically put the car into park or neutral. The heated seats and airbag won't turn on unless it sense weight in the seat.

- Norton, MA, USA

problem #7

Jul 052018

Santa Fe

  • 35,000 miles
The air conditioning condensor on my Hyundai 2016 Santa Fe was damaged by road debris that apparently came through the front grill of my car and had to be replaced. How can road debris damaged my air condensor" shouldn't all internal engine components of a car be protected from this type of damage" this concerns me because what other engine components could be damaged by the grill not properly covering the other vital engine parts. I have heard that this is a design flaw with my vehicle.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #6

Jul 232018

Santa Fe

  • miles
Takata recall airbag light on and my SUV has been in 0 aciddents, the ac air states it's on but doesn't blow any air at all! it only has 69640K miles, knocking sound when I am on park or have the brake on while at red light or stop sign!

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

problem #5

Feb 042018

Santa Fe

  • 16,200 miles
The sunroof exploded. I was driving and heard a loud noise that seemed to come from above. My kids were buckled in the back seats and my son asked me "what was that daddy"? he then looked up and noticed piercings in the underneath sheath that leads to the sunroof view. It could not roll back fully. There was also moisture appearing thru the sheath of the roof. When I got home and got my wife and kids out. I looked and noticed a gaping hole in the roof. I then realized the back panel was completely shattered with glass wedged on the sheath. Which is a good thing because the glass could have dropped on my kids. My wife and I had to cover it up with cardboard and black bags while in the rain. I am going back to star Hyundai dealers to report the problem as it's Sunday 2/4 and they are closed.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

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