2016 Hyundai Santa FE power train problems
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Sep 4, 2026
“Hard Shift occurs between gear 1 and gear 2. The hard shift lurches the entire car. It occurs on both upshift and downshift. The hard shift occurs on cold starts. The problem goes away when you turn the vehicle off and then back on. There are no check engine lights. The dealer can't replicate the…”
filed Oct 27, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Santa FE years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa FE | 3 | 8% |
| 2025 Santa FE | 20 | 15% |
| 2024 Santa FE | 42 | 29% |
| 2023 Santa FE | 44 | 21% |
| 2022 Santa FE | 57 | 29% |
| 2021 Santa FE | 50 | 30% |
| 2020 Santa FE | 26 | 12% |
| 2019 Santa FE | 34 | 17% |
| 2018 Santa FE | 10 | 9% |
| 2017 Santa FE | 161 | 17% |
| 2015 Santa FE | 22 | 9% |
| 2014 Santa FE | 36 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.