Home · 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (235)Crash / fire / injury (10)Engine (150)Transmission & drivetrain (20)Brakes (17)Electrical system (11)Airbags (9)Fuel system (9)Seat belts (8)Body & structure (6)Speed control (5)Engine & cooling (4)

9 of 235 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters

Apr 26, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

6 months ago my rod bearing broke in my engine, and I needed a new engine. From the engine recall. With a broken rod bearing you get an oil consumption problem. Oil consumption ruing your cat converter. But they aren’t telling anyone that. 6,000 miles after my new engine, my catalac converter broke. These cars are dangerous. They’re not telling anyone that this is the next problem. They just put you back on the road. Not to mention bad for the environment!

NHTSA ODI 11585354

Aug 29, 2023EngineFuel system

Already reported Engine Failure on August 5, 2023. After 3 weeks, Dealer informs us the engine seized and is defective and was provided oil change records. Engine is approved for replacement under warranty, instead of getting a repaired car back, dealer calls and now informs the car rides "rough" after the engine replacement, and the Knock Sensor is faulty, MAP Sensor is faulty, and Fuel Pump needs to be replaced. We question why none of this showed up on the original inspection and diagnostic, no answer to that. Knock Sensor obviously never worked because the engine seized without any warning, and despite having warranty on the knock sensor we are told none of these items are under warranty. The car never exhibited any symptoms related to fuel pump issues, or knock or MAP sensor issues. When we were driving on August 5th, the car lost power and engine died without any prior warnings that anything was wrong. We never had any rough "ride", never had any problem with fuel or starting the car, the check engine light never came on to warn of any issues at all. If the parts are all bad, either it is related to the engine failure or they are defective. No Sensors worked or gave us any warning. We fear the car will fail again, and it is unknown if Hyundai will cover repairs. We asked for written statement for repairs and received nothing from the dealer, we asked that repairs be submitted to Hyundai to have cost covered and we have had no confirmation if it has been submitted. The car broke down 3+ hours from our home, we can't even go to the dealer to discuss in person. Limited to unanswered calls, voicemail, and emails - no responses insufficient communication. All we want is the car to be repaired properly and Hyundai should cover cost of repairs considering the massive failure we experienced without warning while driving with our children in the car, we could have all died and no well maintained car should fail in every aspect after only 8 years.

NHTSA ODI 11541562

Dec 12, 2020Fuel system

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING TO BE WARMED UP. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IT WONT GO ANYTHING OVER 15MILES PER HOUR. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11383182

Jun 30, 2019Fuel system

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE SOME PULL ON IT'S OWN BUT CLEARLY ANYTIME THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A DEFAULT IN THE THROTTLE BODY.

NHTSA ODI 11228560

May 6, 2019SuspensionSeat beltsFuel system

TAKATA RECALL, THE SEAT BELT IS GETTING STOCKED AND TIGHT DURING DRIVING ALSO DOESN'T RECLINE WHEN TAKING IT OFF STILL HANGING, THE FUEL EVAPORATES FROM THE FUEL TANK AND DOESN'T GIVE ANY MILEAGE AS DESCRIBED WHEN DRIVING FEEL EVERY LITTLE THING ON THE ROAD INCLUDING SMALL ROCKS.

NHTSA ODI 11205882

Apr 17, 2019EngineFuel system

THIS VEHICLE HAS A SURGING ISSUE. WHEN I COME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT STOP IT ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE I CAN FELL MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL ALSO THE RPM IS DROP . TOOK IT TO DEALER AND ADVISE ME THEY CAN'T TEST IT WITH OUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND IT CONTINUES TO PERFORM THE SAME ALSO I REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL WAS BURN BAD AND RUST SILL HAVE SAME ISSUE LOOK LIKE ISSUE WITH FUEL OR IDLE.

NHTSA ODI 11196892

Jul 3, 2018SuspensionWheelsFuel system

RECALL:(#141),(#163),PLUS REAR & FRONT END SUSPENSION OUT OF LINE. BROUGHT BRAND NEW TIRES AND STILL VIBRATION FRONT AND REAR.

NHTSA ODI 11105332

Apr 3, 2017Fuel system

I BOUGHT THIS CAR 16 MONTHS AGO, THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, I TOOK THE CAR TO LESTER GLENN HYUNDAI IN TOMS RIVER, NJ WHERE I BOUGHT IT. I USE THIS CAR AND COVER 5 STATES AS A TERRITORY MANAGER, THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 10,000 MILES AGO, THEY SAID THEY WILL TALK TO HYUNDAI TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER PART. I FEEL AFTER 1 YEAR THIS PART SHOULD NEVER HAVE FAILED. I OWNED 3 HYUNDAI'S AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THIS PART SHOULD HAVE LASTED THE LIFE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10970358

Jun 28, 2016Fuel system

I BOUGHT A 2016 SANTA FE SPORT AT CARMAX 8000 MILES AND WHEN I FILLED THE TANK THE FIRST TIME I COULD ONLY FILL ABOUT 13 GAL, I DROVE IN TOWN ABOUT 280 MILES. FILLED NOW A FEW TIMES AND ONLY CAN FILL ABOUT 13 GAL EACH TIME. IT SHOWS AS FULL, HOWEVER THE TANK IS A 17 GAL TANK. ALSO WHEN FILL THE GAUGE SHOWS I SHOULD GET ABOUT 380 MILES BUT I ONLY GET ABOUT 280. I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH EVEN 2015 VEHICLES AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 10877133

Working with the data? Download all 235 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev verdict →