2016 Hyundai Santa FE Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE, 2% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact's husband owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. Despite the vehicle operating in LIMP Mode, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where an oil change was performed. The mechanic warned after the service was performed that there may be an ongoing failure with the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11629882, filed 2024-12, 200,000 miles“The contact owned a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, he heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and the catalytic convertor system efficiency was below threshold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 94,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11593691, filed 2024-06, 94,000 miles“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 complaint #11567564, filed 2024-01, 95,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, and there was white smoke emanating from the exhaust pipe, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the cylinder head bolts, resulting in damage to the cylinder head gaskets and requiring a replacement engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11577983, filed 2024-03, 87,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10247189Oct 13, 2023This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
- 10217251Jul 28, 2022Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or…
- 10196450May 25, 20212013-2019MY Santa Fe/Santa Fe XL (NC) Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system may exceed its capacity in certain situations. This bulletin provides the procedure to…
- 10190044Mar 30, 2021This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance…
- 10189989Mar 10, 2021This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- 10089536Dec 21, 2016Hyundai motor america is conducting a service campaign to replace the oil feed pipe assembly on certain 2011-14my sonata and 2013-16my santa fe sport vehicles equipped with 2.0l…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 23 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 6 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 10 | 2% |
| 2007 | 19 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 22 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 14 | 8% |
| 2001 | 33 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE
151 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology