2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (30) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3) · Service Brakes (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Santa Fe Sport model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
28 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch 2017-06-05 · campaign 17V358000 · 437,400 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (133)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Electrical System 2026-05-23 · Z01 Letter · Warranty Program/Extension
certain 2012 – 2017 model year accent, 2012 – 2017 model year azera, 2013 – 2018 model year santa fe sport, 2013 – 2019 model year santa fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) may be set. at hyundai, we ar
Electrical System 2026-04-25 · 26-BE-011H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and dtc(s) b1763 (ocs ecu defect), and/or b1764 (ocs mat defect) may be stored. hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the occupant classification system (ocs) / occupant detection system (ods) to 18 ye
Electrical System 2026-04-25 · 26-BE-011H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and dtc(s) b1763 (ocs ecu defect), and/or b1764 (ocs mat defect) may be stored. hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the occupant classification system (ocs) / occupant detection system (ods) to 18 ye
Showing the 6 most recent of 133 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“while driving i smelled gasoline then it turned to a burnt smell, engine turned off. got to side of the road and engine caught fire. firetrucks and police arrived. car is totaled entire engine bay was up in flames. car has been towed. …”
2026-09-21 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 170,395 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2016 hyundai santa fe sport. the contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the facebook marketplace advertisement and odometer reading were 114,841 miles. however, approximately one hour later, it was discovered that th…”
2026-09-08 · Engine · 111,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai santa fe sport. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant in the engine and that the knock sensor detection system needed to be replaced. the dealer made…”
2026-09-03 · Wheels · 💥 crash“was traveling along a city street with parked cars on the passenger side of my vehicle. axle or wheel broke and veered into parked vehicle severing the engine wiring harness not allowing the airbag to deploy. …”
2026-08-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 105,225 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai santa fe sport. the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph and attempting to overtake another vehicle, the vehicle lost automotive power and decelerated with the check engine, battery, and oil warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was parked on the shoulder of the highway, and smoke was coming from …”
2026-07-27 · Unknown Or Other“my bsd sensor would go on and off for the last several months when no one was around me. i work early and even when i was alone on the road the bsd would flash for 2-3 mins and go off.. then my fan for my air conditioner stopped. when i removed the glove compartment to see the wire connecting to the fan is "melted". when i called bob king hyundai, …”
2026-07-01 · Engine“the engine (2016 hyundai santa fe 2.0l/2.4l theta ii gdi engine) suffered a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, specifically related to the known connecting rod bearing defect. the vehicle is currently un-driveable and is located at serra hyundai in trussville, al. the vehicle and its failed engine are available for inspection upon request. …”
2026-06-22 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“the vehicle is a 2016 hyundai santa fe sport. it had previously been included in an engine-fire-related recall/service campaign, and hyundai replaced the engine between approximately october 2024 and january 2025 at about 113,000 miles. about 10,000 miles and 14 months later, the vehicle developed engine/performance problems. a hyundai dealership s…”
2026-06-22 · Engine · 🔥 fire“after driving the vehicle around all day, i parked it and turned it off and then it set on fire.…”
2026-06-13 · Unknown Or Other“the vehicle stooped running while driving and will not start, available for inspection upon request. the vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. there were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.