Closest available photo (2018 model year); you're viewing the 2016.
Overview
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Powertrain
- GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Fuel
- RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Engine & performance
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Start-stop system
- NoEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Efficiency
- MPG Hwy
- 25 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- MPG City
- 18 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- MPG Comb
- 21 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Fuel $/yr
- $2,950EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- CO₂
- 432 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Eco Score
- 5/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Smog score
- 5/10
- Elec. Range
- 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- SmartWay certified
- No
Dimensions & capacity
- Wheelbase
- 106 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Curb Weight
- 3,616 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year
⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 310 See on NHTSA
- Reported injuries
- 10
Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year
22V056000 Park outside Feb 3, 2022 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Vehicles covered (all models): 357,348
Full notice17V358000 Jun 5, 2017 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles.
Summary: 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.
Vehicles covered (all models): 437,400
Full notice16V145000 Mar 10, 2016 SEAT BELTSHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016.
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.
Vehicles covered (all models): 34,200
Full noticeSource: NHTSA
Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year
- ENGINE50%
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER10%
- POWER TRAIN6%
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5%
- AIR BAGS3%
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3%
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 391 total.
Hyundai Santa Fe: best and worst yearsFederal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year
AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE
Loss of Motive Power
DP21003opened Nov 12, 2021VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year
142 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year
May 23, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMZ01 Letter
Certain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the Occupant Classification System (OCS)/Occupant Detection System (
Apr 25, 2026AIR BAGS26-BE-011H TSB
Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 years/unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Refer to the warranty and parts informati
Apr 25, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26-BE-011H DN
Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 years/unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Refer to the warranty and parts informati
Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DL
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during
Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DCS
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached anno
Feb 11, 2026ENGINE26-EM-002H TSB
Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed. The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement related to engine noise or damage has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date
Feb 11, 2026ENGINE26-EM-002H DN
Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This service procedure describes to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed. The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement related to engine noise or damage has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of o
Feb 11, 2026ENGINE26-EM-002H DCS
Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-EM-002H describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed.
- and 134 more
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
Warranty manufacturer terms, by make
- Basic
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- Powertrain
- 10 yr / 100k mi
- Roadside assistance
- 5 yr
- Maintenance
- 3 yr / 36k mi
- EV battery
- 10 yr / 100k mi
Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.