2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

72

Owner Complaints

3 Crashes 16 Fires

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

6

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT

The 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT has received a total of 72 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (33 complaints), Unknown Or Other (11 complaints), and Electrical System (4 complaints).

Recalls for the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT, potentially affecting up to 437,400 vehicles.

Recall 17V358000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

| 437,400 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT

72 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11718660 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
The engine light started blinking and my car would not accelerate anymore. I took it to the mechanic immediately, who said that there was an engine recall. I contacted the dealership, but they cannot do an initial inspection for more than 2 months. It would likely take another 2-3 months after the inspection before the engine can be replaced. I called Hyundai and they confirmed that my vehicle should be covered under an extended warranty based on the service history and error code from my car (TXXI for the Theta 2 engine - knock sensor detection, code p1326). However, Hyundai will not provide any help until the vehicle is inspected by a dealership. The dealership completely refuses to look at my car as they are busy. I live on an island, so the only other Hyundai dealership is two hours away. They will not answer any of my calls. I'm expected to figure out how to commute to work alone for the next two months, but since I live in a rural area, there are no alternative transportation options. An independent mechanic confirmed and reproduced the issue. The car is unsafe to drive. The dealer will not inspect my component in a reasonable time frame, much less repair it despite the fact that it is covered under extended warranty. The car was driving normally prior to the issue, and I did not notice any problems until the engine light started blinking. I have the car available for inspection.
#11716330 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles Fire
I turned off the car and went inside the house. I was outside and could smell smoke. I walked to the front of the house and saw my neighbor who was calling 911 due to flames from my engine. The flames reached the yard and my garage where minor damage occurred. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames before the fire department extinguished it.
#11716330 | ENGINE | | N/A miles Fire
I turned off the car and went inside the house. I was outside and could smell smoke. I walked to the front of the house and saw my neighbor who was calling 911 due to flames from my engine. The flames reached the yard and my garage where minor damage occurred. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames before the fire department extinguished it.
#11716330 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | N/A miles Fire
I turned off the car and went inside the house. I was outside and could smell smoke. I walked to the front of the house and saw my neighbor who was calling 911 due to flames from my engine. The flames reached the yard and my garage where minor damage occurred. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames before the fire department extinguished it.
#11714583 | ENGINE | | 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road; and the check engine warning light illuminated. A handheld scanner was used to retrieve DTC: P1326 (KSDS – Connecting rod bearings failure). The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the rod bearings had failed, causing engine failure. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure; however, the manufacturer declined to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer informed the contact that the prior owner had submitted a complaint regarding the failure in January of 2024. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

View all Engine complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT

The 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT

Hyundai Motor America has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

22-01-033H — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit Abnormal Noise or No Crank/No Start condition. Follow the procedure to inspect the vehicle and replace the engine or update the engine ECU software based on...

20-01-024H-2 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326. Follow the procedure to inspect the vehicle and replace the engine or update the engine ECU software based on the inspection results. Consult the Hyundai Warranty Policy & Procedures and...

20-ST-001H-1 — STEERING:COLUMN

This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.

TXXI Dealer Best — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Dealer Best Practice intends to inform dealers of a proposed settlement (“Settlement”) for a class action lawsuit filed against Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”). Beginning in July 2020, customers affected by the proposed settlement will begin becoming informed of the settlement by mailed notice and email, and they may direct...

20-01-006H — EQUIPMENT

Hyundai is conducting a product improvement campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine bearing noise is detected, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will blink continuously, a chime will sound on certain vehicles, and the vehicle...

19-01-006H-4 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326. Follow the procedure to inspect the vehicle and install a wire harness extension and/or replacement engine based on the inspection results.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT

View all HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT model years →

Other HYUNDAI Models

View all HYUNDAI models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report