2016 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls and problems

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe has 3 safety recalls and 238 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Urgent: recall 22V-056 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
3
Complaints
238
Crashes / fires
8 / 2
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

Recall 22V-056: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outsideReported Feb 3, 2022 · 357,348 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

Recall 17V-358: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Jun 5, 2017 · 437,400 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-145: Seat Belts

Reported Mar 10, 2016 · 34,200 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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."

Risk: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine152
Unknown or Other25
Power Train22
Electrical System11
Air Bags9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Seat Belts8
Service Brakes8
Structure6
Vehicle Speed Control5
Engine and Engine Cooling4

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 4
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
  • Seat Belts › Front › Retractor — 1
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Throttlebody/Manifold — 1
  • Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 62,300 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Nov 2, 2026
Supplement to complaint 11743619. The 3.3L Lambda II GDI engine seized at highway speed on January 16, 2022 (connecting-rod-bearing failure, internal components through the block). The vehicle lost all power and power steering, left the roadway and crashed off-road while the driver tried to bring it to a stop, with four occupants aboard. Hyundai's TXX8 warranty extension covers engine repair or replacement for 15 years/150,000 miles and states eligibility is determined upon an inspection of the engine. Hyundai Motor America (Case #42605065) has refused to inspect the engine, citing…
Power Train · reported Nov 1, 2026
Total failure of rear differential / AWD electro-magnetic coupling. I was driving and came to a stop sign, when I went to go it jammed up sending me out of control almost killing me, As I regained control, I got about 20 ft further and hear a HUGE BOOM and my car was again out of my control I was able to slow it down by using the giant dumpster as a bracing point in my parking lot. I got out to smell a burning smell and all BLACK FLUID POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE SPOT AND A HUGE CRACK. I was hurt and my thighs are all bruised. I have pictures of the crack in the metal, it is being towed to the…
Engine · reported Sep 4, 2026
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…
Engine · reported Jun 11, 2026
WHAT FAILED: The engine — the 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6 (engine family GHYXV03.31XE per the federal emissions label) — failed catastrophically: a connecting rod penetrated the engine block. The failed engine IS available for inspection on request. It has been preserved unrepaired since the failure, the rod penetration of the block is externally visible, and the vehicle is currently at Niagara Hyundai in New York. WHAT HAPPENED / SAFETY RISK: On [XXX], I was driving at approximately 65 miles per hour on [XXX] southbound near Bath, New York, with four occupants aboard, when the engine failed…
Engine · reported Jun 6, 2026
I filed a complaint when the first engine seized. It's a miracle we got off the road safely that day. While it was at the dealership, the engine was replaced with a used engine and covered by my extended warranty from Vroom. I believe the cost was approximately $14,000. I was told the engine had around 30,000 miles on it. I've put around 20,000 miles on this engine and the same thing happened again. This time, the engine had been knocking for a few months. When it started knocking, I took it to the dealership because the new extended warranty by Hyundai was in effect and I assumed it would be…

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years

Compare all Hyundai Santa Fe years · All Hyundai models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe: 22V-056 (service brakes, hydraulic), 17V-358 (latches/locks/linkages), 16V-145 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners report engine problems most often (152 reports), followed by unknown or other (25). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 62,300 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.