The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is associated with 235 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 127 reports (54% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 9 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.4l 4-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, and 3.3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 23 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 235 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (127 / 54%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 6 crash / 2 fire / 5 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 19–23 MPG (9 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Santa Fe Sport FWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Santa Fe Sport FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Santa Fe Sport Ultimate FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Santa Fe Ultimate FWD | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| Santa Fe Sport AWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Santa Fe Sport AWD | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| Santa Fe Ultimate AWD | 3.3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 17 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Santa Fe FWD | 3.3L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Santa Fe AWD | 3.3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| SUV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe models.
View complete 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems & component breakdown (52 categories) →
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Defect Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
Defect Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.
View all 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →