Most common 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems
Share of the 70 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport complaints by model year
Best Santa Fe Sport years: 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2017, 2018. Compare all years →
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalls (1)
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport:
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.
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.
What 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport owners say
Engine & cooling all 46 →
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sante Fe. The contact stated that after she purchased the vehicle while driving, she rear-ended another vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the engine was replaced however, the contact stated that two to three hours later while driving, the RPM's failed to increase over number two and the engine failed to engage at 45 MPH. The contact then stated that while driving or idling, she heard a rattling noise in the engine, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pressure sensor regulator and the camshaft timing belt failed. The contact then stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that two head gaskets failed and the engine needed to be replaced. …
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 vehicle failed to move forward. The contact stated that moments later there were flames and smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle. The Fire Department was called to the scene, and the flames were extinguished by the firemen. The vehicle was destroyed in the fire. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. …
Electrical system
The contact's son owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started and taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred several times. The contact stated that she was able to jump-start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the audio system of the vehicle had failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the battery and the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,698.
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.
Brakes
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while she was driving at approximately 4 MPH, the ABS, Stabili-trak, battery, and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was driving normally. The contact stated that the warning lights remained illuminated every time the vehicle was started. The contact stated that after the tire pressure fell below 23 PSI, the warning lights would turn off. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that he had noticed a slight burning odor while driving the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,500. Parts distribution disconnect.
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport a good car?
Based on 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Santa Fe Sport rates better than average: 66% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Santa Fe Sport at the same age. It is one of the best Santa Fe Sport years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
The engine & cooling — 46 complaints, 66% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (7) and brakes (6).
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, the most recent from June 5, 2017 (latch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017 and 2018. See the full Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.