Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's husband owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. Despite the vehicle operating in LIMP Mode, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where an oil change was performed. The mechanic warned after the service was performed that there may be an ongoing failure with the engine. Several days later, the contact stated that while in stop and go traffic, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed; and the contact was informed that the failure might be related to the cam shaft. …
We recently had the car to the local dealership for engine problems. It took over 3 months, but they finally determined that the camshaft was "bent" and they had to remove the engine to replace it, costing almost $5000. We had it back for about 3 months but didn't drive it much since my wife works remotely from home now. My son was driving it on the interstate and the engine threw a rod, spilling oil onto the exhaust, which caught on fire. He managed to pull over and get out of the car and by then another motorist had called 911. There was a firetruck at the exit he had just passed who showed up in just a few minutes and put the fire out before the fuel system caught on fire, thankfully. While I'm glad my son was uninjured, I'm still very upset by this, especially since they just worked on the engine. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil pan. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized due to the metal shavings. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not honor the 100,000 miles warranty as he was the second owner of the vehicle. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would have honored the warranty if the mileage was under 60,000. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the residence. …
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife then drove back to the residence, and the contact added oil to the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Hyundai Campaign Number: 966; however, the dealer informed the contact that the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, and there was white smoke emanating from the exhaust pipe, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the cylinder head bolts, resulting in damage to the cylinder head gaskets and requiring a replacement engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 87,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to stall and then ceased. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle but continued to experience the failure. The contact stated she was able to drive at a slow speed to her residence but started to smell fumes. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and who was unable to service the vehicle due to a fuel leak. The contact called and notified the local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,622.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal knocking noise had emitted from the engine. As the contact began to pull over, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to pull over and upon inspection of the vehicle saw that large pieces of the engine had scattered over the highway. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed; it was later determined that the engine rod had punctured the engine block causing the engine failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and failed to respond as intended. The contact coasted to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to start. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on four occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Driving on a slight upgrade, lost power and smoke started to come out of the vents and from under the hood. Had no brakes and by the time we were able to drift to a stop, the engine compartment was on fire. There was no warning lights. Witnesses saw fire under the car while we were coming to a stop. The car and all contents were totally consumed. Following some research on NHTSA vin decoder we found that this car has the same engine (GDI THETA II) that has been involved in many fires and is involved in class action suits. Even though this car has the same engine, it was never recalled. That may indicate that there are other cars out there that may have the same problem but have not been informed.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the same diagnostic information was provided. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,322. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Engine complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 153 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, 65% of the model year's 236 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.