The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 437,400 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
41
1crashes9fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
13
3fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
3fires1injuries
AIR BAGS
3
1crashes1injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3
1fires
POWER TRAIN
3
SERVICE BRAKES
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
1crashes1fires
Total complaints85
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“After driving the vehicle around all day, I parked it and turned it off and then it set on fire.”
“The engine powertrain system, specifically the internal engine lubrication, timing chain, and camshaft sensors. The vehicle's theta ii engine suffers from systemic, excessive oil consumption, which starved the engine of lubrication. This caused the timing chain to stretch and mechanically fail,…”
“The vehicle stooped running while driving and will not start, available for inspection upon request. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the…”
“The vehicle is a 2016 hyundai santa fe sport. It had previously been included in an engine-fire-related recall/service campaign, and hyundai replaced the engine between approximately october 2024 and january 2025 at about 113,000 miles. About 10,000 miles and 14 months later, the vehicle developed…”
“The vehicle is a 2016 hyundai santa fe sport. It had previously been included in an engine-fire-related recall/service campaign, and hyundai replaced the engine between approximately october 2024 and january 2025 at about 113,000 miles. About 10,000 miles and 14 months later, the vehicle developed…”
“The engine (2016 hyundai santa fe 2.0l/2.4l theta ii gdi engine) suffered a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, specifically related to the known connecting rod bearing defect. The vehicle is currently un-driveable and is located at serra hyundai in trussville, al. The vehicle and its failed…”
“My car only has 93,000 miles on it. I was driving home from work and all of a sudden the check engine light came on while i’m on the freeway. I made it home and went to research then all of a suddenly the check engine light would just start flashing. I got it checked by a mechanic. They said…”
“The engine seized up and hyundai refused to approve my claim al though I had the extended warranty. Reason for the denial because a recall in 2019 was not performed. I had purchased the vehicle in 2023 used from rick case honda.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ23002 Opened 2023-11-17 · open
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured…
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.