The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Santa Fe · 2016

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index38100 = average car
Complaints50NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold131,257U.S. model year
Per 100K sold38complaints
Year rank#1 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD19 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)AWD18 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD20 / 27 / 23Regular$2,700
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD19 / 25 / 21Regular$2,950
3.3L 6-cylAuto (S6)FWD17 / 23 / 20Regular$3,100
3.3L 6-cylAuto (S6)AWD17 / 22 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 31,500 and 94,800 miles. Median 63,500, from 96 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine83,00069,000–125,00041
Transmission & drivetrain50,1006,600–70,0007
Electrical58,80043,500–113,1006
Airbags73,00057,200–101,9005
Fuel or ev drive system43,20024,500–65,2006

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Fuel or ev drive system12%
Airbags12%
Body structure10%
Transmission & drivetrain10%
Seat belts10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
30610138030

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 22V056000 Feb 2022 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Control Unit/Module

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 17V358000 Jun 2017 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Hood / Latch

    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.

    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.

  • 16V145000 Mar 2016 Seat Belts / Front / Warning Light/Devices

    Defect. 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."

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023–
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023
ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities20212023

Manufacturer communications 170

Hyundai filed 170 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, 21.9M views.

TopicVideosViews
Gauges, lights & wiring61.1M
Transmission & shifter3501K
Driveshaft, axles & 4x41480K
Brakes & ABS4397K
Infotainment, battery & electrical2190K
Windows, doors & mirrors1157K
Oil changes & service175K
Timing chain & engine175K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201316317688,844Steering
2014106125107,906Engine
20155057118,134Engine
20163850131,257Fuel or ev drive system
2017212298133,171Transmission & drivetrain
20186985117,038Engine
20197496127,373Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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