What 235 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev

I traded in my 2020 toyota corola for this car at the used Toyota dealership. Our family is comfortable with the brand Toyota and Hyundai, as we’ve owned many and considered them to be great liable cars. So we thought the Santa Fe’s would accommodate for a growing family. Not only have we encountered an engine problem with this model, which came out of nowhere, unannounced within less than a year of owning the car, but we had 2 more issues with the other Hyundai Santa Fe’s that we purchased last year. All major engine problems. All within the years 2014-2017. The engine just blows out, or burns the oil too fast, and to be honest with you, I am not just disappointed that this has happened, but the lack of ownership for this issue that I, along with thousands of other Sante Fe owners have encountered. No recall has been made on this issue. Hyundai, you have not only disappointed us, but you’ve abandoned us on this issue. In my situation it hasn’t been one car….. it’s been 3 in a year. The financial burden this has placed on my family has left us with minimal options of advancing. I plead with you to please investigate why this is happening, so that other families don’t have to go through the hardship and turmoil this has placed on us.

NHTSA ODI 11576116

Engine threw a rod

NHTSA ODI 11574168

I have always taken good care of my car, regular oil changes, kept coolant levels up etc. I was driving home from work when my car began to overheat, so I immediately pulled over and turned it off. Made an appointment with a mechanic, had it towed there due to overheating, and found out my engine was blown completely. No prior issues.

NHTSA ODI 11571448

No warnings or any visible alerts. Took it to mechanic and engine is going to need to be replaced. only 87,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11570818

I have seen this be reported online, but apparently it only covers the KIA Model, not the hyundai model. But the ODS Mat/Bladder defect in our passenger seat in our Hyundai Santa Fe 2016. Drops Codes B149000 and B1764 - this causes our air bag light to come on. This flipped on around 70k miles but because we are the second owner, we have to foot the bill out of pocket. Its asinine to think that we have to replace the entire seat and that Hyundai doesnt see this as a problem for them. Hyundai looked at our car, and again they stated we have to fix it ourselves - or pay them. They confirmed it. The problem is, it shuts our air bags off meaning if we dont foot the $2000-$3000 to replace it, our air bags just wont deploy. Thats a massive security risk. This seems to be a problem with various Hyundai and Kia models, but apparently only SOME models with the same codes get to be replaced. Ridiculous. Attached are various issues by Hyundai, Kia, with the same issue across various models. Here is the link to the same issues in a different model of Kia/Hyundai Cars [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11570923

Engine failure out of nowhere 110,000 well maintained. Driving on [XXX] early afternoon Monday [XXX]. All of a sudden check engine battery and oil indicator lights all came on and vehicle died. Had towed to shop and told engine failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11569844

Engine seized at 116000 miles on one of the busiest roads in town in below zero weather. I was nearly hit by an suv and also an Oversized Load Semi. I'm so thankful the towing guys showed up within the hour. There was no warning when this happend, no check engine light or oil light on. Two days before, on the last time it had beenbdriven I walked out to find it had started on it's own. It was Friday night, so I wasn't sure what to do yet. The vehicle was making a cl8cking sound durimg accelation on the Sunday morning the seize occurred, so I made plans to call the mechanic first thing Monday morning. It seized before I had the chance. I just lost all power to accelerate and had to pull over. The car took several minutes and many attempts to even turn off. Then never restarted again. I had thought a belt had broken, but our mechanic informed us the engine seized. Please investigate these 3.3 litre engines, they need to be recalled. We refuse to make this some other families problem, or to pay Hyundai one dime more of our money, or waste our time, energy or emotions on diagnostics and fighting them. We could not trade it in, so we lost the trade in value and had to finance our next vehicle. We are arranging this Hyundai to just be sold to a salvage yard for parts. It is otherwise useless.

NHTSA ODI 11567919

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon his wife starting the vehicle, she observed heavy smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that his wife heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion had damaged the head gasket, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567564

The company has stopped supporting their Bluelink function that is causing the screen to do a continuous search for a connection and remaining blank so the controls and cameras are not visible. The company has sent out patches for some models as the old service was on 2g and 3g which are discontinued but they are not sending an update for my vehicle. I have engaged the dealer and they say they've had numerous complaints on this matter with no fix available. This is an absolute safety hazard and needs to be addressed. Please help me; I am an [XXX] Veteran and should not have to buy a new car to be safe! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Please help me; I am an 83 year old Veteran and should not have to buy a new car to be safe!

NHTSA ODI 11566014

I own a 2016 hyundai santa fe and today the car just slowed down and then shut off, with no warning on a bridge, it was so scary being on that bridge and the car just stopped. I get it towed to hyundai dealership and they informed me my engine possibly seized but need a diagnostic test and it will be 4 to 6 weeks due to ALL THE ENGINE PROBLEMS ON THERE SANTA FES. So I have been reading on this site and the same thing is happening to others. I hope hyundai does the right thing.

NHTSA ODI 11565659

Have had car for 8 months, just hit 70,000 miles and now need to replace my timing chain kit. Will cost 1,500 to 2,000 estimated.

NHTSA ODI 11563560

I am not sure what is wrong with my Hyundai Santa Fe 2016 because it is at the dealer at this moment waiting for a diagnostic test. I started the vehicle and heard a revving-up noise. I went to the doctor and on my way back to the house I accelerated and heard a rattling sound and the oil light, the check engine light, and the battery light all came on. The car slowed down and when I tried to accelerate again there was no acceleration power. I drove the car as far as I could go, then it stopped in the middle of a road. Thank God I was in my subdivision. I had to ask a UPS truck driver to push it to the curb. It was towed to the dealer 12/26/2023. That was the earliest appointment because it was the Christmas Holiday weekend. this is my only form of transportation. I am so glad I was not on a main street. UNKNOWN because I am waiting for the diagnostic test results. I am requesting a manufacturer's warranty because I am under 100,000 miles. I did file a claim with my insurance but haven't heard from them as yet.

NHTSA ODI 11562226

Engine is consuming oil at an alarming rate. After 2000 miles, 3 quarts of oil was consumed

NHTSA ODI 11556565

The engine has been reported as failed. It is available for inspection. The safety of the persons in the vehicle and on the road around us were at risk, specifically with the loss of acceleration and power while driving in traffic and merging. Vehicle became unsafe for use for our family to use so we towed it to be evaluated at odometer reading of 97,181. What happened: Vehicle suddenly started making knocking noise. While driving the vehicle a sudden loss of acceleration and inability to accelerate. Engine started to shut off when it had been in park and then placed into gear. Towed vehicle to be assessed by a mechanic. When assessed at a mechanic, the problem was confirmed and it was also noted that oil had been consumed and noted to be loosing oil internally and has burn on dipstick. No oil spots noted in area where car had been parked or leaking oil on engine. Mechanic assessed that there was engine failure and the engine would need to be replaced. Mechanic also ran diagnostic testing and noted to only have active codes for the tire pressure monitor system of C1212 VSS. Diagnostic health report noted to have no issues. Readiness monitors completed with no issues. Diagnostic health report available. Transported vehicle to dealership, where it was inspected and engine issue was confirmed as well as identical health diagnostic report. It was reported that this model was not part of the recall and warranty extension because it is a V6 engine and not a 4 cylinder so manufacturer would not be replacing engine. Due to being the second owners of this vehicle, we do not meet criteria to utilize the 100k mile warranty. All of this has occurred with out an engine warning light turning on the dash or service code being found when computer was interrogated.

NHTSA ODI 11554526

EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSOMPTION AND THE BRAKE LIGHTBULL KEEP BURNING FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 11554543

Engine seized while driving

NHTSA ODI 11554550

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure had reoccurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11554204

The engine in my vehicle seized, prompting an inspection that unequivocally attributed the failure to a well-documented and acknowledged issue with the engine. This incident occurred while I was navigating on highway, placing my family and fellow road users in a precarious situation. The dealership's assessment reaffirmed that this recurring engine problem afflicts my vehicle model and had been thoroughly scrutinized by their experts. Remarkably, there were no warning signals such as the engine light or oil light to forewarn me of the impending engine failure. Despite having undergone a recent oil change, no apparent symptoms signaled that my engine was running perilously low on oil. Regrettably, Hyundai has chosen to decline any responsibility for replacing my engine or extending assistance. Their reasoning is grounded in my failure to procure a software update that, unbeknownst to me, was an essential requirement. Furthermore, I had received no prior communication via mail, email, or phone alerting me to the necessity of this update. It is crucial to note that this software update, while designed to enhance warning mechanisms, does not offer any guarantees against engine failure but merely serves to provide advanced notice of potential issues.

NHTSA ODI 11552144

Engine threw a rod and damaged the whole engine. No warnings. Same exact issue my friends 2015 did. Her engine was replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11551294

After crossing 90,000 miles the vehicle started to consume too much oil too quickly. After a professional analysis the mechanics found no problem. Going on 112,000 miles now and the vehicle is going through and/or burning oil much more rapidly than what one would expect

NHTSA ODI 11550323

The vehicle will not accelerate over 30mph. I was entering the interstate on ramp and am not able to accelerate to the speed limit. The cars approaching had to slow down significantly to avoid a rear end collision. This happens every time whether I am at a stop light on a normal roadway or entering the interstate. There are never any warning lights or sensors indicating that there is a problem. I have completed all of the recalls and system updates required by the manufacturer. I have completed the oil consumption and engine cleaning multiple times and it has not helped the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11549310

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact’s wife then drove back to the residence, and the contact added oil to the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Hyundai Campaign Number: 966; however, the dealer informed the contact that the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11549443

-my engine seized. It has been inspected and they agreed it was due to the known faulty engine. -my engine failed in the middle of the highway endangering my family and anyone else on the road. -the dealership confirmed that this is a recurring problem in my vehicle and has been inspected. -the engine light nor the oil light came on to alert me that was engine was out of oil. Yes I did have an up to date oil change. No other symptoms were present to indicate I had no oil left. Hyundai has refused to replace my engine or help me at all as I did not get a software update. I was never aware of this update nor had any correspondence via mail, email, or phone to tell me that I needed to get it. This update also does not stop your car from engine failure it just helps alert you that it will fail soon.

NHTSA ODI 11548349

Ever since I bought This 2016 hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0 Turbo from Advantage Hyundai, in Hicksville New York in December 2017, I have been having Battery problems, especially when the temperature falls below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The alarm goes off by itself, it does not matter what time of day, draining the battery in the process. I took it back to the dealership they held the car, while giving me a loaner. I have taken the car to them no less than 6 times each time they assured me that the battery problem was fixed, yet the problem continued. I spoke to their Headquarters in California. They gave me the run around until the warranty expired.I recently changed the battery and alternator and the problem continues.

NHTSA ODI 11548002

Oil burns through engine Oil light doesn’t work when I need an oil change. So I’m having to put 4 quarts of oil in myself every week Need towing as I’m unable to drive because I don’t want to take a risk of engine blowing up

NHTSA ODI 11547467