The Lemon Index2016 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 50 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 38, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel or ev drive system, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 19 to 23 mpg combined. It's the best Hyundai Santa Fe year we track.
One of the most reliable. 2.6× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2017
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, 21.9M views. The 2016 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
How to Replace Headlight Bulbs - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 354K views · 6 videos - Transmission & shifter501K views
How to change the transmission fluid on a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2WDVlad S · 281K views · 3 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4480K views
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4 - Offroad Demo RunAutoXan · 480K views - Brakes & ABS397K views
Replace Brake Light Bulb - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 196K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical190K views
![How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bohu2M2cwkE/mqdefault.jpg)
How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 112K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors157K views
REPAIRING broken lower door molding garnish 2014 hyundai santa fe 877222W000CALive Free · 157K views - Oil changes & service75K views
How to Change Engine Oil 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa FeTRQ · 75K views - Timing chain & engine75K views
![How to Check and Fill Fluids [COMPLETE GUIDE] - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q0OkNUpu1gw/mqdefault.jpg)
How to Check and Fill Fluids [COMPLETE GUIDE] - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 75K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Hyundai Santa Fe SUV 3rd Generation 2013-181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.0M views
2016 Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Mashup Drag Race ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 1.2M views
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD on & off-road ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 612K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 306 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 31K to 94K miles on the car (96 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 69K–125K miles
Recalls 3
- brakes 2022
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
- latches/locks/linkages 2017
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.
- seat belts 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 fa…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 170 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer
- If the rear wheel hub in the affected vehicles is submerged in salt water, salt water can…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
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.
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 11196160
More owner reports
Recall:(#141),(#163),plus rear & front end suspension out of line. Brought brand new tires and still vibration front and rear.
NHTSA complaint 11105332
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 38; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel or ev drive system (12%), airbags (12%) and body structure (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
3 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
19 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 31,500 and 94,800 miles. The middle report was at 63,500 miles, from 96 complaints.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works