2016 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems

150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE — 64% of all complaints for this model year.

150

Engine complaints

64%

share of all complaints

82,000 mi

median reported incident mileage

1 / 2

crash / fire reports

What owners report

“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…”
filed Jun 11, 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…”
filed Jun 6, 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…”
filed May 25, 2026

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

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…
26-EM-002H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Feb 11, 2026
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…
26-EM-002H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Feb 11, 2026
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…
26-EM-002H DN · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Feb 11, 2026