2016 Hyundai Santa FE Recalls & Complaints

Incident: October 31, 2026 · Filed: November 1, 2026

Total failure of rear differential / AWD electro-magnetic coupling. I was driving and came to a stop sign, when I went to go it jammed up sending me out of control almost killing me, As I regained control, I got about 20 ft further and hear a HUGE BOOM and my car was again out of my control I was able to slow it down by using the giant dumpster as a bracing point in my parking lot. I got out to smell a burning smell and all BLACK FLUID POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE SPOT AND A HUGE CRACK. I was hurt and my thighs are all bruised. I have pictures of the crack in the metal, it is being towed to the mechanic 7:30 AM Invoices to be added 11/2/26 THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV's manufactured for 2013 - 2018 models? WHY ARE THESE VEHICLES ALLOWED TO STAY ON THE ROAD I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!

Incident: August 17, 2026 · Filed: September 4, 2026

1. Component/System Failure & Availability: The failed component is the engine's internal Camshaft Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) phaser backing bolt within the 3.3L V6 engine assembly. An internal factory bolt unthreaded, backed out, and physically pierced directly through the upper valve cover. The vehicle and intact failed engine are currently located at an authorized Hyundai dealership service center in [XXX], and remain fully available for immediate physical inspection by federal investigators upon request. 2. Safety Risk: An internal engine bolt unthreading and puncturing through the valve cover creates an extreme safety hazard. A high-velocity metal bolt piercing the engine casing causes immediate engine seizure, sudden loss of motive power at highway speeds, loss of power steering/braking assistance, and massive pressurized oil discharge directly onto red-hot exhaust manifolds, posing a severe risk of sudden catastrophic vehicle fire and multi-vehicle highway collisions. 3. Dealer/Independent Confirmation: Yes. The failure was formally inspected, reproduced, and confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership service department. Dealership technicians logged official diagnostic findings under Prior Authorization Case #XXX. 4. Inspection by Manufacturer/Others: Yes. The defect was inspected and escalated directly to Hyundai Motor America (HMA) Corporate Engineering. Corporate engineering officially verified the defect and issued Techline Case #XXX, confirming that an internal factory CVVT backing bolt unthreaded and pierced the valve cover, recommending a full engine replacement. 5. Warning Lights & Prior Symptoms: There were no prior warning lamps, check engine lights, unusual sounds, or advance warning symptoms prior to the failure. The internal hardware failure occurred suddenly and without warning while operating the vehicle at standard operating parameters. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: January 16, 2022 · Filed: June 11, 2026

WHAT FAILED: The engine — the 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6 (engine family GHYXV03.31XE per the federal emissions label) — failed catastrophically: a connecting rod penetrated the engine block. The failed engine IS available for inspection on request. It has been preserved unrepaired since the failure, the rod penetration of the block is externally visible, and the vehicle is currently at Niagara Hyundai in New York. WHAT HAPPENED / SAFETY RISK: On [XXX], I was driving at approximately 65 miles per hour on [XXX] southbound near Bath, New York, with four occupants aboard, when the engine failed suddenly and without warning — no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms preceded it. The vehicle immediately lost all motive power at highway speed. I was forced off the roadway and through brush and debris to bring the vehicle to a stop. The sudden total loss of power at highway speed created an immediate loss-of-control hazard to my occupants and to surrounding traffic. CONFIRMED BY OTHERS: The tow was dispatched through a 911 emergency call. A New York State Trooper was at the scene and observed the debris trail. The towing company's invoice (T&R Towing and Service, Call #[XXX], [XXX]) records "Break Down," winch recovery, vehicle not drivable, and the tow operator's handwritten condition description: "Motor go Boom." The vehicle is now in the possession of a Hyundai dealership (Niagara Hyundai), and Hyundai Motor America has an open case (#[XXX]); however, Hyundai has refused to inspect or diagnose the engine unless I first pay to repair unrelated damage, so the manufacturer has NOT yet inspected the failure — leaving this safety defect undiagnosed by Hyundai. RELEVANT BACKGROUND: In 2024, Hyundai issued warranty extension TXX8 (15 years / 150,000 miles) for connecting rod bearing failure in this exact engine, acknowledging the failure mode. Mileage at failure was under 100,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: May 21, 2026 · Filed: June 6, 2026

I filed a complaint when the first engine seized. It's a miracle we got off the road safely that day. While it was at the dealership, the engine was replaced with a used engine and covered by my extended warranty from Vroom. I believe the cost was approximately $14,000. I was told the engine had around 30,000 miles on it. I've put around 20,000 miles on this engine and the same thing happened again. This time, the engine had been knocking for a few months. When it started knocking, I took it to the dealership because the new extended warranty by Hyundai was in effect and I assumed it would be covered. Immediately, Autonation Hyundai in Savannah, GA said it would not be covered because it was a used engine. I don't understand why when the engine can be traced and the mileage known by the number on the engine. On XXX, my [XXX] granddaughter took her driving test in the vehicle. About 2 hours later, the engine seized with her driving. We were on the same road and it was about the same time of day. Once again, it was a miracle we got off the road safely. I just talked to Hyundai and we'll see what they say. From the stories I've seen, they'll do anything they can to avoid covering these engines and they get away with it. The people who get hurt the most from this are the ones who can least afford it. I'm a [XXX] widow raising my 5 grandchildren by myself and believed I was getting a good vehicle, mainly due to the report by Consumer Reports magazine. Even after the first engine failed and was replaced, I still wasn't in a financial position to get another vehicle and assumed if something happened again, it would be covered under the extended warranty Hyundai was made to provide. Obviously, that means nothing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: April 28, 2026 · Filed: May 25, 2026

Purchased a used Santa Fe in January 2026 with 129k mile and at 131k my vehicle's CEL came on and did not function properly while operating. While driving the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 mph when I pushed the gas. I pulled over to get out of the way of traffic and avoid any accidents. I shut the car off and sat for several minutes before restarting my vehicle. It successfully restarted and I drove home and parked it. I ran CEL diagnostic and received the code P0021. I had the vehicle towed to the local Hyundai dealer and they also pulled the same code and indicated I have an oil consumption issue explained as follows "Timing over advanced. Timing components driven by oil pressure. Inspected cylinders and borescope and found cylinder wall scoring and faulty piston rings. Radiator has crack causing coolant leak. Engine will have to be replaced to remedy oil consumption. Radiator will need to be replaced to remedy leak." resulting in over $12k of repair work. The vehicle's temperature gauge did not indicate any abnormalities nor did the oil light come on to indicate any oil consumption issues. The vehicle was driven from the dealer to my home within city limits/speed and has not replicated the acceleration issue but the CEL remains on as the repair is too costly and is more than what was paid for the vehicle.

Incident: March 24, 2026 · Filed: April 21, 2026

Rod bearing failure while driving, engine made a clanking noise. Engine made a loud bang and shut off. It was difficult for the driver to get control of the vehicle and get it to the side of the road. Engine threw the rod and piston through the oil pan causing catastrophic internal damage. The oil had been changed the day prior. The company that changed the oil sent an inspector to evaluate car at the scene. He stated this is a known problem with this engine. He pulled up pictures of other cars that had the same problem, also took pictures of the car oil pan and compared the pictures, they were exactly the same. Car was towed to Hyundai dealership that is refusing to replace the engine.

Incident: March 16, 2026 · Filed: March 19, 2026

Beginning about a month ago, I noticed a rattle upon the engine start up that lasted for a 1-2 seconds then stopped and everything sounded normal. I thought it could be b/c of the cold weather. I went in to get a routine oil change on 03/11/2026 and they said the oil looked fine, but it was about a quart low, indicating it was burning some oil somehere. They said to check in in a few months and they would top it up if needed. I asked them about the rattle and they thought is might be from a bad (timing chain tensioner) but said I should get it checked out. I called on Friday 03/13/26 to schedule an appt at my local Hyundai Dealership on 03/17 . The night before(03/16), I was driving my vehicle and suddenly on the road, I heard a loud noise in the engine, and the power shut off, the Engine and oil light came on and I just had enough time to pull off the busy state route. My car would not start or turn over. I had it towed to the dealership and they did determine that it was a "Rod Bearing Failure" that caused the engine to sieze. I provided them evidence of my oil changes which from 10k-93k miles on my car since I have owned it. I have had the oil changed 10 times. They are saying they only allow 8k between oil changes to honor the warranty and have initially denied my claim. The service associate at the dealership said my valvetrain was 'somewhat' dirty, but nothing to where it was the cause for this issue. And since it was the Rod bearing that failed, the exact part that was recalled, he was surprised they were not even offering any good-will offer, to split the cost of the engine replacement. I have reached out to Hyundai Consumer Affairs and am waiting to hear back to see if they will be fair and work with me on this to honor the warranty issue or at least share the cost burden for this "well-known" failure in their engine.

Incident: February 16, 2026 · Filed: February 21, 2026

The motor began to making a knocking noise and started smoking like a fire was starting. We immediately turned off the vehicle preventing from a full fledge fire. We had children in the car as well which posed a safety concern for them. We had no prior warning lights or issues. It has yet to be inspected by anyone.

Incident: September 18, 2025 · Filed: September 19, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated and failed to respond as intended. The contact coasted to the right side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to start. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on four occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Incident: August 14, 2025 · Filed: September 7, 2025

My engine failed at 113,000 miles. It just sounded like a diesel truck when I started it one day. There were no warning messages at all. It did not have any power above 45 mph. I took it to a Hyundai dealer and showed him the extended warranty letter I received from Hyundai. The letter said my specific engine should qualify for an extended warranty. However, the dealer (Castle Hyundai of Downers Grove, IL) said because my engine failed due to timing chain failure and not connecting rod failure, Hyundai would not honor the extended warranty. That infuriates me! Hyundai should honor the extended warranty because their engine failed and it wasn't my fault. They know they have an engine problem but because my engine didn't fail exactly the way they projected it would fail, I'm [XXX] of using my car. It also meant I had to purchase a new car which obviously wasn't a Hyundai. I hope you can push Hyundai to provide me financial relief or at least expand the engine warranty for others. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)