2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Transmission Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  229%
• 25k–50k
  114%
• 50k–75k
  343%
• 75k–100k
  114%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

1) My mechanic inspected my vehicle after a rattling noise began sounding from the engine bay while accelerating and increasing RPM - The noise began shortly before the flashing check engine light turned on. My mechanic inspected the car and ran the code for the check engine light and determined that an engine connecting rod had broken and ruined the engine. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. 2) The car experienced a loss of power and moderate vibration while driving to the mechanic after the issue. In hindsight I felt it was unsafe to have driven the car in that condition and if the mechanical issue first presented while driving at higher speeds I feel that it likely could have caused an accident or vehicle-vehicle collision 3) No. I am currently waiting for Hyundai to respond to my warranty claim. 4) No. The vehicle so far has only been inspected by my mechanic. 5) No. …

Was driving on a 5 hour car ride at 5pm on August 16th and was going up a hill, the vehicle quickly lost all power and the engine light lit. I was able to pull the car to the side of the road with the momentum that the car already had, but was not able to get the car to a safe space (its about 6 inches from an exit ramp lane), as the car would not drive. Once I got the car to the side of the road, I checked the engine and did not see any excessive heating or anything out of the ordinary. I tried to restart the car and the check engine light is lit and the battery system for the car turns on but the car will not start or try to turn over the engine. The car is currently sitting on the side of the road. My wife and my dog were in the car and we had to quickly move to a safer place away from the 70 MPH traffic. Calling a tow truck tomorrow to take it to a dealership. …

Around three weeks ago, we start listening to a knocking noise in the engine. As soon as we heard this noise, we took it to a mechanic near our home and the mechanic told us that there was an internal problem with the engine and we needed to take it to an official Hyundai dealership to solve this problem. Moreover, they told me this is a common problem in Hyundai's cars and the dealership would do it for free. When I took it to the dealership, they told me that I had to replace the chain timing, tensioners, CVV, and many other stuff needed (I'm sending the receipt attached, see "car report 2024.pdf"). It was going to take 10 hours of work. Importantly, this was not covered by the Hyundai warranty or recalls. I bought the car 3 years ago, and both the previous owner and I did the year service to the car. I'm sending all the receipts and CARFAX of the services. Best regards, [redacted] .

One of the cam shafts failed, also the actuator. We had purchased an extended warranty so the repair is supposed to be covered. However when the dealership submitted a pre-authorization they were asked to remove the oil plan and check for metal. They did find metal in the oil pan so they required that the engine short block be replaced in order to cover the cost. That part- the short block - is back ordered and we have been told to expect a delay of at least 3-4 months. The warranty company will only cover a rental car for 10 days so we are stuck. We have spoken to multiple mechanics and dealerships who are telling us that they are seeing this all over - V6 CVT engines failing after 65-70k miles. Obviously the Hyunday Certified Pre-Owned warranty folks also know there is a problem since they made the mechanic check for metal. …

6 months ago my rod bearing broke in my engine, and I needed a new engine. From the engine recall. With a broken rod bearing you get an oil consumption problem. Oil consumption ruing your cat converter. But they aren't telling anyone that. 6,000 miles after my new engine, my catalac converter broke. These cars are dangerous. They're not telling anyone that this is the next problem. They just put you back on the road. Not to mention bad for the environment!

While driving the car experienced a catastrophic engine failure as well as loss of steering and brakes. Was able to get to the side of the road without injury. This could have resulted in injury or loss of life if the drivetrain would have locked up. The vehicle is at the dealer now, after a 250-mile tow. The dealer said that they have eight cars at their dealership with the same blown engine issue. No warning lights came on prior to the incident.

Hard Shift occurs between gear 1 and gear 2. The hard shift lurches the entire car. It occurs on both upshift and downshift. The hard shift occurs on cold starts. The problem goes away when you turn the vehicle off and then back on. There are no check engine lights. The dealer can't replicate the problem.

I own a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe,. Back in May of 2021, my children and I were driving home from the beach. The engine in the car began making a strange knocking sound halfway through the trip, but the engine light did not illuminate. We thankfully made it home safely. I had my local mechanic take a look at the car and he said that the knocking sound is considered the death knell of any engine. I was shocked. How could a well-maintained 5 year old car's engine need to be replaced? I called Hyundai and they advised me to bring the car to a dealership for a service manager to diagnose and call them after three days to submit a claim. For our own safety I had the car towed to the local dealership, they serviced and diagnosed as a knocking sound coming from the bearings. The engine failed during examination. I have been submitting, resubmitting, and escalating claims since. …

The engine control module (CPU) failed and at first the car experienced random warning lights thatwhen placed on diagnostic computer, no codes were noted. the next issue was a strong gasoline smell in the cabin. the cpu read this as a faulty fuel pressure regulator. when a second code pull was done it was reported as evaporator canister failure requires changing. The problem was in fact a leaking fuel injector rail and two injectors with defective improperly seated "O" rings. Explainig the gas smell and poor milage. "Ms. G" owns the 2016 santa fe sport with 2.0 GDI motor. There are about 80K miles The intermittent warning lights became and issue during the annual inspection/tag renewal. …

I was driving my 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe to my morning job, & noticed a slight trembling of the vehicle initially. Upon approaching a stop sign at a 2 way stop, I noticed that my brakes were not fully engaging so I pumped them a couple times. Immediately my car started accelerating on its own faster and faster until my brakes were not stopping the car at all even with my foot pushing the brake pedal down as far as possible. My foot wasn't on the accelerator at all. I noticed a pickup truck about to cross the intersection for which I needed to stop. Because I had no control over the car to get it to stop, I slammed the car into park, & it finally stopped just before my car crossed through the intersection. If I had not done that I would've been hit directly on my drivers side door by a truck going at least 55 mph. …

Transmission complaints in other Santa Fe years