Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
825–50K
1750–75K
1275–100K
10100–150K
3150K+
69 reports with mileage · 167 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
236 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2023
Engine
Engine oil consumption is outrageous. I am having to add oil every 200-300 miles. Just had an oil change in march and have had to add oil twice. There is a recall on the 2013-2015 models for the Santa Fe and 2011-2019 for the Santa Fe sport but the 2016 model that I have is not included in this recall. The recall is specifically…
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Engine oil consumption is outrageous. I am having to add oil every 200-300 miles. Just had an oil change in march and have had to add oil twice. There is a recall on the 2013-2015 models for the Santa Fe and 2011-2019 for the Santa Fe sport but the 2016 model that I have is not included in this recall. The recall is specifically for engine oil consumption issues which is exactly what I am having but Hyundai wont issue a recall for the 2016 model unless it is the sport. Very frustrated and potentially going to have to spend thousands of dollars for a new motor since mine is starting to have issues related to excessive oil consumption.
NHTSA ODI #11527254
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2023
Engine
I left my house and vehicle was perfectly fine. NEVER any warning lights since I owned the vehicle. It was not due for an oil change. I was traveling about 60 mph and after about 5 miles, vehicle just stopped running. At that point, I looked at dash and all the lights were on and vehicle was completely unresponsive. No steering,…
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I left my house and vehicle was perfectly fine. NEVER any warning lights since I owned the vehicle. It was not due for an oil change. I was traveling about 60 mph and after about 5 miles, vehicle just stopped running. At that point, I looked at dash and all the lights were on and vehicle was completely unresponsive. No steering, brakes, nothing. I was able to drift off of road and that was it. Tried one time to restart it and nothing. Had it towed to hyundai dealer and first they said it was the starter and today, after being there for a month, they said engine had seized.
NHTSA ODI #11526707
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2023
Power Train
Accelerated after stop sign and felt like the vehicle hit a pole. Stuck in 4th gear.
NHTSA ODI #11525736
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2023
Engine
Car lost power/pressure will not accelerate and has an engine knock
NHTSA ODI #11523513
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2023
Engine
While driving my Santa Fe sport I have an issue with loss of power when accelerating. I was getting on the freeway and attempting to merge with freeway traffic. When I was pressing the gas to accelerate the car the RPM's rose but my speed would not. I had to pull off as my vehicle could not get up to speed. It has happened t…
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While driving my Santa Fe sport I have an issue with loss of power when accelerating. I was getting on the freeway and attempting to merge with freeway traffic. When I was pressing the gas to accelerate the car the RPM's rose but my speed would not. I had to pull off as my vehicle could not get up to speed. It has happened twice now and only when trying to get on the freeway. No warning lamps. It is terrifying and dangerous. My Santa Fe engine was replaced around 84,000 for the failed engine issue it has about 134,000 (50,000 on new engine) now. I am concerned that this engine is possibly defective as well. My MPG has declined and now this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11523321
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2023
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
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…
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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. The car revved really high for several seconds after putting the car in park. I drove 10 mph to my work destination, & experienced exactly the same symptoms when I was pulling into my parking spot. As soon as I started braking to come to a stop to park, the car immediately started to accelerate again beyond my control & the ability to engage my brakes, even with my brakes pushed down as far as they would go. Again I slammed the car into park, otherwise my car would’ve run through the side of a barn & a horse stall with a horse and the barn owner inside. I checked to make sure nothing was impeding the movement of my accelerator and braking pedals, and nothing was. No warning lights came on at any time. I am very concerned as I am reading multiple reports of almost identical incidents for other Hyundai Santa Fe owners of a variety of years, & because this issue can’t be reproduced, there is no recall, and no code comes up, owners are not being given a solution or any type of support by Hyundai dealers or the manufacturer itself. I absolutely do not feel safe driving my car for my own safety & the safety of those on the road with me. I was almost killed today.
NHTSA ODI #11522385
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2023
Engine
2016 Sante fe and this is not the first engine I seen go back I seen 2011 ,2012 ….. and this one 2016 happen to me. Had oil oil change done have record of it but no sign engine just blow
NHTSA ODI #11521351
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2023
Engine
This is an ongoing SAFETY ISSUE. We purchased this 2016 Hyundai SantaFe Sport used in July 07, 2022 with 98493 miles on speedometer. 30 days give or take after purchasing I checked the oil and no oil was showing on the dip stick even though the dealer we purchased the car from had changed the oil prior to selling the car. I had …
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This is an ongoing SAFETY ISSUE. We purchased this 2016 Hyundai SantaFe Sport used in July 07, 2022 with 98493 miles on speedometer. 30 days give or take after purchasing I checked the oil and no oil was showing on the dip stick even though the dealer we purchased the car from had changed the oil prior to selling the car. I had to add 3 1/2 quarts of oil to show on the dip stick to the first mark. I then started checking oil frequently and to date am using oil at a rate of approx. 1 quart of oil every 256 miles. On 1/19/2023 I went to my local Hyundai dealer (Jenkins Hyundai) in Bridgeport WV and informed them of the problem. The Service Writer checked the car and offered to run an Oil Consumption Survey for 1,200 to verify oil usages. On 2/23/2023 I checked the oil and found it just touching the dip stick, notified the Dealer and they said to being it in so they could add the oil during the Test. Dealership added 2.06 quarts of oil and INFORMED ME THAT HYUNDAI DENIED PA REQUEST GIVEN THAT THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. Hyundai dealer would not continue with the oil test as Hyundai Corporate wouldn't pay for labor and parts. As reported in social media, TV news, newsprint, etc. Hyundai and Kia have millions of engines with oil consumption safety issues that are catching fire, blowing engines, stranding owner/drivers in the middle of the highway, and the list goes on. The trade-in and resale value of Hyundai/Kia vehicles has diminished/reduced in value to................ I and millions of HYUNDAI/KIA owners/drivers are asking for the NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADM. (NHTSA) to please investigate and issue a RECALL for all HYUNDAI/KIA products with an oil consumption problem. Thank You.
NHTSA ODI #11520741
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2023
Engine
Car began to misfire. Took it to the dealership and found that it didn't have any oil in it even I just had the oil changed less than 2,000 miles before. The timing was out and the valves were bent causing the misfiring. All of this is because it was burning oil without any indication or warning. This engine has less than 100,00…
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Car began to misfire. Took it to the dealership and found that it didn't have any oil in it even I just had the oil changed less than 2,000 miles before. The timing was out and the valves were bent causing the misfiring. All of this is because it was burning oil without any indication or warning. This engine has less than 100,000 miles and Hyundai won't claim this on warranty even though they have a 100,000 mile warranty on there vehicles.
NHTSA ODI #11519651
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2023
Engine
The engine in the vehicle is a DGI engine which Hyundai has had problems with in other vehicles. The bearings on the engine are damaged and the engine is failing. It can no longer be driven because the engine could fail as it is being driven.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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