2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport, most often about engine. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints: 59
Recalls: 1
Crashes: 4
Fires: 10
Injuries: 3
Median mileage: 105,112 mi

Key facts

Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 42 of 59 complaints (71%).
Electrical System (7) and brakes (6) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 105,112 mi.
Owners reported 4 crashes, 10 fires and 3 injuries.
The 2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport has 1 recall on file.
NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
It ranks 4th of 6 Hyundai Santa FE Sport model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Engine	39
Unknown or other	10
Electrical system	5
Service brakes, hydraulic	3
Power train	3
Engine and engine cooling	3
Fuel/propulsion system	3
Service brakes	3

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport complaints that list mileage.

2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport recalls (1)

Recall 17V358000Jun 5, 2017437,400 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 defect investigations

AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, …
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…

Recent 2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Sep 21, 2026170,395 miNCElectrical System
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the Facebook Marketplace advertisement and odometer reading were 114,841 miles. However, approximately one hour later, it was discovered that the title listed the mileage at 170,395.
NHTSA complaint #11765865 · source
Filed Sep 8, 2026111,000 miWVTowedEngine
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant in the engine and that the knock sensor detection system needed to be replaced. The dealer made the contact aware of Manufacturer Campaign Number: 953 and stated that the vehicle was not previously serviced under the…
NHTSA complaint #11762873 · source
Filed Sep 3, 2026TXCrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsSuspensionWheels & Tires
Was traveling along a city street with parked cars on the passenger side of my vehicle. Axle or wheel broke and veered into parked vehicle severing the engine wiring harness not allowing the airbag to deploy.
NHTSA complaint #11761994 · source
Filed Aug 10, 2026105,225 miSCFireTowedEngine
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the vehicle lost automotive power and decelerated with the check engine, battery, and oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was parked on the shoulder of the highway, and smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that after parking on the shoulder, the brakes erroneously activated, and the…
NHTSA complaint #11755852 · source
Filed Jul 27, 2026NCDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
my BSD sensor would go on and off for the last several months when no one was around me. I work early and even when I was alone on the road the BSD would flash for 2-3 mins and go off.. then my fan for my air conditioner stopped. When I removed the glove compartment to see the wire connecting to the fan is "melted". When i called bob king hyundai, I was informed there was no recall. So, I attempted to fix the issue myself only to find the fuses (under the hood) are almost…
NHTSA complaint #11753163 · source
Filed Jul 1, 2026ALEngine
The engine (2016 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0L/2.4L Theta II GDI engine) suffered a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, specifically related to the known connecting rod bearing defect. The vehicle is currently un-driveable and is located at Serra Hyundai in Trussville, AL. The vehicle and its failed engine are available for inspection upon request. The engine suddenly failed and lost all power while driving at highway speeds in active traffic. I was forced to coast a dead…
NHTSA complaint #11747757 · source
Filed Jun 22, 2026COFireEngineOther / Unknown
The vehicle is a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. It had previously been included in an engine-fire-related recall/service campaign, and Hyundai replaced the engine between approximately October 2024 and January 2025 at about 113,000 miles. About 10,000 miles and 14 months later, the vehicle developed engine/performance problems. A Hyundai dealership service center performed about $6,500 in repairs, including installation of a new transmission, and represented that the engine…
NHTSA complaint #11745727 · source
Filed Jun 13, 2026NYOther / Unknown
The vehicle stooped running while driving and will not start, available for inspection upon request. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11743935 · source

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Other 2016 Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology