124 complaints reported

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
124
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Oct 2021

Engine failed while driving in traffic almost causing an accident. Had it towed to dealership. I was informed there was a recall for engine failure but dealership is telling me that manufacturer has denied the recall saying it has already been taken care of which is false. I also found out that when I bought the vehicle from a licensed dealer in 2018, that ownership was never transferred. The dealership is also telling me that the vehicle is still listed in another company name which is why I never received any recall information. Now I am stuck with a financed vehicle with several recalls that the dealership and manufacturer are refusing to honor.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2021
Oct 2021

Check engine light went on in 4/2021. Brought to local mechanic and states that it is an evaporator issue. Claims I didn't close gas cap tight enough. He reset code, closes gas cap and no check engine light. I bring it back after filling up my tank again tells me that it is because I don't close it tight enough. I oil change in 4/2021 and ask to check the code again. He claims may be a small leak and that I can drive it. I bring it back in late June early July for another oil change and light is on again. He claims small leak and it is fine to drive. I pick it up and he has car for a week to do oil change in Sept and to double check the check engine light and he says he fixed it with a new sensor for the evaporator. Light goes back on two days later. Take it to another mechanic who replaces his work and claims not good electric work. Another day of driving and check engine light is on. Bring it back to mechanic states no oil and that he puts 4.5 cans of oil into car and that the engine needs to be replaced. I am meticulous with cars. I ALWAYS get my oil changed every 3-5K miles. There is no way that I drove this car too hard or didn't have an oil leak. I park in the same spot at home and work every day - no leaks. It did not blow oil either. Please advise.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2021
Oct 2021

vehicle went in for state inspection repairs 10/20/21 w/dtc code p0453 included.vehicle was returned 10/21/21 after inspection and engine seized down the road from dealership.no loaner car recieved had to take shuttle. seized at 86000 miles. car prior was burning up engine oil abnormally & would hesitate when trying to take off from a stop or regular driving. small knocking noise heard as well at times .regularly maintenced and had ecm #953 update 05/22/2019 waiting to hear back from irwin hyundai in nh

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2021
Oct 2021

My son was on the expressway and vehicle started to slow down and would not accelerate. The check engine light came on. He pulled over and the engine died and would not restart. I had the car towed to a vehicle repair place and they found that the engine had thrown a rod and needs to be replaced. Vehicle has been well maintained and was in good shape. It was just purchased used from a dealer 05/03/21.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2021
Jul 2021

3 systems have failed within my two years of ownership. The biggest fault ....and this is what you guys need to know!!!!!!! ATTENTION NEEDED. DECEMBER 2020, I was put in total danger and others ️. After months of telling the dealer that the engine was idling really rough - like a shaking - and revving weirdly at times of acceleration. They continued to tell me there was nothing wrong with it and made me seem like I was the crazy one. Fast-forwarding to December 2020, I started to now hear this metal clacking noise from the engine. Made a 3rd appointment at the dealer that was a week out - but never MADE IT. Because few days before it, I was going out to a friend's and clacking started to get even louder - as LOUD could hear in the cabin. THEN as about to get onto highway on-ramp WITH NO WARNING- no check engine light - no notice whatsoever - engine rpm spiked loudly and a very loud pop followed - and engine totally ceased. Lost total engine propulsion - vehicle rolled to a stop and then all lights and sounds started going off with check engine light NOW FLASHING. HAD TO have HYUNDAI towed to the dealer - in which "there was an engine rod bearing failure - which caused the engine to cease. Dealer took days to even get it seen and wouldn't give a loaner till deemed a fault under "warranty" which clearly was with there 10 yr - 100,000 mile warranty - which makes sense because there poorly made/crafted engine designs that involve the GDI ENGINES_ which have been known to fail prematurely - CAUSE FIRES _ and has even killed people. They aren't fixing the engine design they simply are putting the same KIND IN>>> and putting a system that detects engine knocking. THAT DOESNT FIX THE PROBLEM - and they KNOW THAT. There was no recall on my car or got anything in mail regarding engine dangers. Further Hyundai would not give me any paperwork regarding the repair besides an engine assembly - a replacement that all. I readily asked for more info and they wouldn't give it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2020
Jun 2021

My engine stalled on the highway with no warning lights or symptoms. I've owned it for 6mo. It had regular recorded maintenance and showed no issue. Then as I was driving home from work, the car seized up and jerked to a full stop at previously 65mph. Inspection by dealership revealed that my engine blew at 70,800 miles. With no warning. No symptoms. Hyundai will not pay for repairs, $9000 on top of the $14000 I still owe. This car put me in an unexpected dangerous situation!! Every other year of this make and model has been recalled. Please recall the 2016, it is not safe!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2021
May 2021

Driving home from work, Car jerked me forward and stopped at 60mph. Engine promptly shut off. Turned key over and put car into neutral to get it off of the highway. Herrnstein Hyundai of Chillicothe told me that my Nu Engine had blown and i need a total replacement. No warnings or dash lights came on. Hyundai states they wont help despite the recall to be posted on June 25th.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2021
May 2021

UPON START UP ENGINE IS VERY LOUD, CONTINUES TO BE LOUD AND DEALER SAYS IT IS JUST ENGINE NORMAL ENGINE NOISE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Apr 2021

I GOT MY ENGINE REPAIRED, BUT THE TEST DRIVE SHOWED A SENSOR FOR THE OIL VALVE? THING. HYUNDAI WAS SUPPOSED TO OVERNIGHT IT AS OF FRIDAY 4/23. MY CAR IS STILL NOT DONE. I AM NOT COMPLAINNG ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PART AND HOW THEY TAKE SO LONG. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE 3/20/2021. I HAVE HAD NO CAR SINCE THEN. I AM IN SALES AND A SINGLE MOM. I HAVE BEEN USING MY BOYFRIEND'S TRUCK, BUT I CANT DO THAT FOREVER. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO WHY HYUNDAI ISNT QUICK WITH DELIVERING PARTS? IM BEYOND FRUSTRATED. HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY WILL NEVER BE A COMPANY I PURCHASE FROM EVER AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. [XXX] [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2021
Apr 2021

VEHICLE IS 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT WITH 133,000 MILES. I HAVE DOCUMENTED PROOF OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. VEHICLE WAS GETTING 32-33 MPG. ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED KNOCKING AND DIED WITHIN A FEW MILES. REPAIR SHOP SAID HYUNDAI EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM 100,000 TO 120,000 FOR THIS ISSUE. MY CAR HAS 133,000 AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2011 TO 2014 RECALLS. ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH REBUILT HYANDAI ENGINE. IMMEDIATELY ISSUES STARTING OCCURRING SUCH AS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, AND NOW IT WON'T ACCELERATE TO 55 MPH. THERE IS NO POWER AND THE NEW ENGINE IS KNOCKING. AT NEARLY $8,000 OUT OF MY POCKET I AM AGAIN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR WEEKS ON END. I AM AN ESSENTIAL WORKER WITH A NEWBORN CHILD AND I CANNOT RISK A BREAK DOWN WHILE ENROUTE THE 37 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK OR AT ANY OTHER LOCATION. ANOTHER ACQUAINTANCE HAS A 2016 SONATA AND HER ENGINE IS ALSO MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. PLEASE INCLUDE THE NEWER MODELS ON THE ENGINE RECALL AS THEY ARE DOING THE SAME. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE FOR A RELIABLE VEHICLE. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET ANOTHER 150,000 MILES AT LEAST OUT OF MY SANTA FE AND IT COULD DIE A NORMAL DEATH AS OPPOSED TO A QUICK DEATH DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE FAILURE AND OTHER ENGINE ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2021
Apr 2021

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR 45 MILES AN HOUR ON SATURDAY APRIL 10TH, AROUND 5:40PM IN THE CURB LANE. THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED UNEXPECTEDLY. I MANAGED TO COAST TO A SMALL PARKING LOT OFF OF A BUSY STREET. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND ASSESSED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY SEIZED, BUT THEY PERFORMED NO REPAIR. THE NEXT SCHEDULED CAR SERVICE WAS 86600 MILES, AND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD ~84K MILES NOT LONG AFTER ITS SERVICE AT ~83K MILES. PLEASE NOTE THAT DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS OF PANDEMIC, THE CAR GETS TAKEN OUT TO THE GROCERY STORE, A MILE A WAY, ONCE A WEEK OR TO A LOCAL BUSINESS NO MORE THE 8 MILES FROM THE HOUSE VERY OCCASIONALLY. SO THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT SEE HEAVY USAGE. HYUNDAI USA INDICATED THAT I SHOULD HAVE THIS CAR TOWED TO ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS FOR ASSESSMENT, BUT HAVE ALSO DETERMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES FROM ORIGINAL FIRST USE. THE CASE NUMBER WITH HYUNDAI USA IS 18154048.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2021
Apr 2021

vehicle stalled and locked up was not able to push breaks or turn steering dealer advised me engine was stalled and needed to be replaced, was known in my model, this was why this vehicle and year had an extended warranty unto 200K miles. The engine was replaced and the vehicle is still not running correctly. When accelerating to turn on on highway, it seems stalled and doesn't move, returning to dealer tomorrow after being w/o a vehicle 3 weeks. It is not coming up on your recall notices and am concerned this is a safety issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2021
Mar 2021

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON AN INTERSTATE, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND THEN QUIT. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND LEFT AT A DEALER TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE DRIVER THEN HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE TO COMPLETE HIS TRIP OUT OF STATE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2021
Mar 2021

1ST OCCURANCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, ENGINE WENT INTO "SAFE MODE" AND ACCELERATION DECREASED DRAMATICALLY. DEALERSHIP PUSHED A "UPDATE" TO THE COMPUTER AND "FIXED" IT. ISSUE HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT THE ENGINE KNOCK SENSOR IS MESSED UP.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2021
Feb 2021

The car was sitting in the driveway waiting to be started up. When the car was started, there was a knocking sound from the engine. I turned the car off and checked the oil. The oil was down about 2 quarts, so I decided to change the oil since we were goin on a trip. I changed the oil and the knocking sound did not go away so we took it to a dealer. We change the oil every 5-7 thousand miles and reset the service button. The car is at the dealer and I have not heard a word from them.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2021
Jan 2021

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2021
Nov 2020

MY 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IT IS IN A GARAGE NOW AND THEY ARE TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2020
Oct 2020

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER 8/4/2020 DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. I WAS TOLD THE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. NO OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED. I'M CURRENTLY WAITING TO HEAR IF THE REPAIR WILL BE COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY OF IF I WILL BE FACED WITH THE $17K REPAIR. VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS REQUIRED SERVICING EVERY YEAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT (CPO).

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2020
Sep 2020

SUV STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF FREE WAY. ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE BOARD TURN ON AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ENGINE WHICH I THINK IT'S I'MPOSIBLE BEING A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2020
Aug 2020

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 APPLIED BREAK AS TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF MY WAS SLOWING DOWN. CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN FAILED TO ACCELERATE. PULLED OFF INTERSTATE CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS TOWED 160 TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. HAD TO RENT A CAR TO FOLLOW MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP ADVISES BY RSA THAT I COULD NOT RIDE WITH TOW DRIVER. ADVISED BY BY SERVICE MANGER THE NEXT DAY THAT CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE, ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ADVISED THAT ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC IS NEEDED TO SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL TO DETERMINE IF ENGINE WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. STUCK IN CHEYENNE, WY OVER 1K MILES AWAY FROM. DEALER CAN'T OFFER ME A LOANER TOO FAR HOME AND CAN'T OFFER A RENTAL THAT CAN BE DRIVEN OUT OF STATE. FORCED TO FIND OTHER MEANS TO GET HOME. RECEIVE EMAIL AND HAVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL TODAY VEHICLE IDENTIFIED AS BEING INCLUDED IN CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR ENGINE FAILURE. SO NOW HERE I SIT AND WAIT NOT SURE IF REPAIR WILL BE COVERED AND WITHOUT A VEHICLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2020
Jul 2020

WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED, CAR SHUT OFF, (LUCKILY NOT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY) WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. HAZARD LIGHTS DID WORK.TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. HYUNDAI ASSESSED AND CLAIMED AN ENGINE RECALL. IT'S BEEN A MONTH. BUT HYUNDAI DID REPLACE THE ENGINE ALONE WITH ADDITIONAL PART.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2020
Apr 2020

CAR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. COULDN'T ACCELERATE, SERIOUSLY BAD SMELL, AND VIOLENT SHAKING COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE AT 68,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED AND WILL COST US $7,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2020
Jan 2020

I HAD MY 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SERVICED BY HYUNDAI FOR A TIRE CHANGE AND OIL CHANGE ALONG WITH THE RECALL UPDATE ON JAN 17, PRIOR TO GOING FROM ST LOUIS MO TO WICHITA KS. I AM A TRAVELING NURSE, MY CONTRACT WAS STARTING MONDAY THE 20TH. I WAS ADVISED THE RECALL WAS A SYSTEM UPDATE FOR IMPROPERLY WORKING SENSORS. MY MOTOR BLEW 2 HOURS INTO MY TRIP ON JAN 18TH WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND FELT IT AS WELL. MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OIL WAS POURING OUT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS 30 DEGREES AND IM STUCK ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER, WHERE I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET A RENTAL VEHICLE SINCE THE RENTAL LOCATION WAS CLOSED FOR THE DAY. I COULD NOT GET A LOANER VEHICLE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MILES I HAD TO DRIVE. MY ONLY OPTION WOULD BE TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I WAS STRESSED AND VERY OVERWHELMED, THINKING ABOUT MY NEED TO GET TO WICHITA KS AND UPSET THAT MY VEHICLE THAT WAS JUST SERVICED BY HYNDAI HAD BLOWN UP ON THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN AN HOUR OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, FINALLY HAVING A MOMENT ALONE, WITHOUT A SALESMAN IN MY FACE, I REALIZED THIS WAS A MISTAKE. I CALLED BACK TO RETURN THE VEHICLE BUT MY SALESMAN WAS GONE FOR THE DAY AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSING. I TEXT MY SALESMAN ON SUNDAY ADVISING THAT I WANT TO RETURN THE NEW VEHICLE AND JUST GET THE RENTAL CAR AND MY VEHICLE FIXED, AS HYUNDAI ROADSIDE HAD PROMISED. ON MONDAY JAN 20TH I WAS ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT REVERSE THIS SALE AND I COULD NOT GET MY VEHICLE BACK. NOW I'M STUCK IN A VEHICLE I DO NOT TRUST WITH A HIGHER PAYMENT, HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM, FEELING COMPLETELY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I DO NOT TRUST THE HYUNDAI BRAND. SEVERAL INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED TO OTHERS DUE TO THEIR LACK OF HONESTY. THERE ARE MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT HYUNDAI'S POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES. THE RECALL IS CALLED A CAMPAIGN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2020
Jun 2019

ENGINE FAILED AT 63,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. HYUNDAI BLAMES IT ON SLUDGE IN OIL PAN. WITH OUT SERVICE RECEIPTS WILL NOT WARRANTY ENGINE. SERVICED ENGINE MYSELF AND DIDN'T SAVE CASH RECEIPTS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2019

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe has 124 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.