2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT Problems & Recalls

September 3rd, 2025, my engine failed, for the second time and left me stuck at a busy intersection, in the middle lane and can't move. The first time my engine failed (2022/same vehicle), I was about the get on the highway and it just stopped in the middle of the road right before getting onto the ...

Six weeks ago the alternator and battery had also been replaced. My Hyundai Santa Fe Sport turbo engine, exhibited a persistent rubber-like odor for approximately three weeks after the latest maintenance. During this period, the push-start button intermittently failed, requiring multiple attempts to...

Six weeks ago the alternator and battery had also been replaced. My Hyundai Santa Fe Sport turbo engine, exhibited a persistent rubber-like odor for approximately three weeks after the latest maintenance. During this period, the push-start button intermittently failed, requiring multiple attempts to...

Six weeks ago the alternator and battery had also been replaced. My Hyundai Santa Fe Sport turbo engine, exhibited a persistent rubber-like odor for approximately three weeks after the latest maintenance. During this period, the push-start button intermittently failed, requiring multiple attempts to...

There was no low oil indicator light, no smoke, and no oil on the garage floor. My wife was driving the vehicle on I-285 in Atlanta, returning from the ATL airport, when the vehicle began to lose power and started jerking and surging; the check engine light began flashing. She had to take surface st...

The engine seized up on the highway with no warning signs or alerts and lost all power to the vehicle putting family at risk on the highway speed. Mechanic confirmed engine seized and metal debris after draining oil. Oil changes are done on timely basis within 5000 miles. Most recent where synthetic...

2916 Hyundai Santa Fe sport has an open recall of 953 for engine bearings knocking. It has been inspected. Yes, safety was put at risk, motor could lock up while driving causing a wreck. Yes, Tim Shorts Hyundai did confirm the engine was knocking. No lights were on in the vehicle. Was started sittin...

My 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (156,880 miles) suddenly shut down and went into limp mode due to code P1326, which is part of the KSDS safety recall. Hyundai and the dealership refused to perform the recall-required engine inspection because of mileage. This violates safety recall rules. The sudden ...

Hyundai replaced engine at 69280 miles because of metal particles left in engine during manufacturing.Hyundai did not replace the turbo,that had the same oil running thru it as the engine.The tubro failed 15,080 miles later,lost all power .Car would not go over 40mph.,lucky to get car off the road.

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. There was a burning odor coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the engine had previously been replac...

Mileage: 130,000

As I was driving the hood opened breaking the windshield which obstructed my view and caused me to veer off-road and crash.I acquired the vehicle less than a year ago and only learned of a recall for hood latches from the tow truck driver. afterwards. I had no prior problems with the latch opening a...

During a severe accident in which the cars collided from both the back and front at most likely over 50mph, the air bags did not deploy. In such a case, I feel as though they should have gone off as there was severe whiplash and the cars hit at such a fast and hard speed. My safety was impacted seve...

Engine siezed, causing me to have to tow my vehicle. I was moved in the military to Germany in 2019, I had to have no open recalls on the car before I shipped it overseas. I completed a recall on the 5th of January 2019. On the 10th of January, Hyundai activated another recall on the vehicle. I was ...

Dear NHTSA, I'm reporting a recurring safety issue with my vehicle's door latches. All four doors have, at different times, become completely stuck—unable to open from inside or outside. This creates a serious risk, especially in emergencies where quick exit is critical.

My engine seized at approximately 80mph on the interstate [XXX] ). The engine light came on only after I lost power. I only avoided a multiple car accident due to quick reaction and taking an exit ramp. Police came to my stalled vehicle and helped my push it off a major road to a nearby parking lot...

My engine seized at approximately 80mph on the interstate [XXX] ). The engine light came on only after I lost power. I only avoided a multiple car accident due to quick reaction and taking an exit ramp. Police came to my stalled vehicle and helped my push it off a major road to a nearby parking lot...

My engine seized at approximately 80mph on the interstate [XXX] ). The engine light came on only after I lost power. I only avoided a multiple car accident due to quick reaction and taking an exit ramp. Police came to my stalled vehicle and helped my push it off a major road to a nearby parking lot...

Me and my [XXX] was leaving on a road trip and my vehicles brakes lock up while I was driving. I did not have my brakes applied. The brakes locked up randomly with out applying them. I was only going 35mph. Thankfully we were not at freeway or highway speeds were it could have cause an accident. IN...

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed about a Technical Service Bulletin. The local dealer was not contacted. The...

Mileage: 60,000

Subject: Engine Failure Due to Bearing Defect – No KSDS Recall Notification Vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport VIN: [XXX] Date of Purchase: April 2016 Complaint Summary: I am filing this complaint regarding my 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, which experienced catastrophic engine failure due to ...

Subject: Engine Failure Due to Bearing Defect – No KSDS Recall Notification Vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport VIN: [XXX] Date of Purchase: April 2016 Complaint Summary: I am filing this complaint regarding my 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, which experienced catastrophic engine failure due to ...

As we were driving down the interstate we began to see smoke coming out our vents and after a few seconds saw flames coming from the passenger side of car. We quickly tried to pull over but brakes weren’t working. Safely pulled into grass median. Luckily we were able to quickly exit through the dr...

As we were driving down the interstate we began to see smoke coming out our vents and after a few seconds saw flames coming from the passenger side of car. We quickly tried to pull over but brakes weren’t working. Safely pulled into grass median. Luckily we were able to quickly exit through the dr...

As we were driving down the interstate we began to see smoke coming out our vents and after a few seconds saw flames coming from the passenger side of car. We quickly tried to pull over but brakes weren’t working. Safely pulled into grass median. Luckily we were able to quickly exit through the dr...

I need to replace engine block assembly and the following codes P1326 C1207 C1210 C1211 C1206 C1208

I need to replace engine block assembly and the following codes P1326 C1207 C1210 C1211 C1206 C1208

The vehicle lost power, and the engine started to make a knocking noise, and the check engine light came on. I plugged in the obd2 scanner and the p1326 code came out. It was a knock sensor that needed to be replaced. I replaced the sensor that the issue got worse. I looked up online about this issu...

See attached document for complaint.

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to ...

Mileage: 63,000

Dear NHTSA, My 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (VIN: [XXX] , 2.0L Theta II, 64,000 miles) suffered engine failure with knocking and power loss, matching NHTSA Recall #20V-746 (Hyundai #198). This defect risks stalling or fire, threatening my safety and others’. Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai of Tac...

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the engine and oil lights illuminated whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cause of the failure was due to the engine. The dealer inform...

Mileage: 77,000

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the engine and oil lights illuminated whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cause of the failure was due to the engine. The dealer inform...

Mileage: 77,000

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn after the vehicle was idling, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that ...

Mileage: 80,000

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while her husband driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was unable to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle failed to restart. There was no warning light illumin...

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor was defective. The vehicle was then to...

Mileage: 110,000

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated...

Mileage: 141,000

See attached document for complaint

The contact's mother owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the RPM’s decreased and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning l...

Mileage: 150,000

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 l...

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 l...

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 l...

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the engine seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The fail...

Mileage: 70,000

This Hyundai had the motor replaced with a Hyundai recall... they did not replace the one-time use fuel line that HAS to be replaced when removed. Started leaking fuel out of that line. while I was driving the fuel from the line caught the exhaust on fire and within seconds had flames engulf the car...

This Hyundai had the motor replaced with a Hyundai recall... they did not replace the one-time use fuel line that HAS to be replaced when removed. Started leaking fuel out of that line. while I was driving the fuel from the line caught the exhaust on fire and within seconds had flames engulf the car...

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. T...

Mileage: 93,500

The contact's granddaughter owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while the owner was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to make an abnormal noise, and then the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The owner ...

Mileage: 105,000

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 remain...

Mileage: 63,000

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 fail...

Mileage: 172,000

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. T...

Mileage: 57,698

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. T...

Mileage: 57,698

Car was stolen.Car was send to body shop for repairs.Car was started at body shop after battery was replaced.Car was driven out of shop after repairs.After going less than 1000feet car shut down.Tried to start Hyundia and smoke poured out from up hood.It looked as if car was going to burst into flam...

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated that the check engine, oil, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local...

Mileage: 133,000

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY AT A PARKING LOT. CAR WAS JUST SERVICED AND INSPECTED A MONTH PRIOR AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS REPORTED. CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. FROM THE INITIAL REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A MECH...

Mileage: 48,000

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY AT A PARKING LOT. CAR WAS JUST SERVICED AND INSPECTED A MONTH PRIOR AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS REPORTED. CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. FROM THE INITIAL REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A MECH...

Mileage: 48,000

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY AT A PARKING LOT. CAR WAS JUST SERVICED AND INSPECTED A MONTH PRIOR AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS REPORTED. CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. FROM THE INITIAL REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A MECH...

Mileage: 48,000

TOOK CAR IN 1 MONTH AGO FOR SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SOFTWARE UPDATE) 2016 SANTA FE SPORT 83,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY YESTERDAY ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND CAR WENT IN TO 'SAFE MODE' WAS ABLE TO GO ABOUT 1/2 MILE BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED.. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED TODAY ...

Mileage: 83,000

THE VEHICLE LACKS ACCELERATION SUDDENLY AND THE ROM GOES UP REALLY HIGH WHEN ON A HIGHWAY CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I AM PRESSING IN THE GAS AND AM NOT NOT GETTING A RESPONSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEMS WITH MANY SANTA FE'S AND THE DEALER SHRUGGED IT OFF AND PROPOSED WE CLEAN THE FUEL SYSTE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER KEFFER HYUNDAI ( 9010 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATHEWS, NC) WHO DIAGNO...

Mileage: 32,000

FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS STAYED ON WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT AT THE TIME. IT WILL GO OFF OCCASIONALLY BUT ONCE I HIT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT TURNS BACK ON.

Mileage: 83,800

THIS VEHICLE HAS A SURGING ISSUE. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND IT CONTINUES TO PERFORM THE SAME. NOT PLEASED .

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COASTAL HYUNDAI (915 W NEW HAVEN AVE, MELBOURNE, FL 32901) WHERE IT WAS DETERMI...

Mileage: 33,000

WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF THE CAR. IF THE SUNSCREEN HAD BEEN OPEN, MY WIFE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN CUT TO PIECES BY THE FLYING GLASS.

Mileage: 42,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED WORLD HYUNDAI MATTESON AT 866-486-2915 (5337 MILLER CIR DRIVE, MATTESON, IL 60443...

Mileage: 52,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO KILL A BUG ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WITH HIS HAND AND THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEMIS HYUNDAI IN SYCAMORE, ILLINOIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT C...

Mileage: 7,500

THE SUSPENSION IN MY CAR IS SO ROUGH RIDING THAT NO ONE WANTS TO RIDE IN THE CAR ANY MORE. WHEN I BRAKE, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS SUDDENLY, EVERYONE SLAMS OR JERKS FORWARD; WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS, EVEN GENTLY, EVERYONE JERKS AROUND. IT'S AWFUL.

Mileage: 38,000

THE SUSPENSION IN MY CAR IS SO ROUGH RIDING THAT NO ONE WANTS TO RIDE IN THE CAR ANY MORE. WHEN I BRAKE, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS SUDDENLY, EVERYONE SLAMS OR JERKS FORWARD; WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS, EVEN GENTLY, EVERYONE JERKS AROUND. IT'S AWFUL.

Mileage: 38,000