HyundaiSanta Fe2016Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2016/base/

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Santa Fe.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV built on Hyundai’s contemporary platform and equipped with an automatic six‑speed transmission, delivering 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for an overall combined rating of 20 mpg. While its powertrain is generally adequate, the model’s most frequent owner issue—recorded among 235 total complaints—is centered on the engine, a pattern that aligns with the broader reliability record spanning 2001‑2026. With three recalls documented for this year, the 2016 Santa Fe sits just below the peak complaint year of 2017 (941 complaints) and well above the recent low of 2026 (28 complaints), indicating a moderate reliability standing within the model’s history.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnINDOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-J, 7.0-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat255003C150

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3616 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Fe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2013 Limited 3.3L V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2014Limited 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.10 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2013GLS 3.3L V67.40 sec16.00 sec290 hpFWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.50 sec15.90 sec290 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.5
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity9.6
Power Steering FluidHyundai PSF-IV

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission36.2-50.6 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.56-0.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-18 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.72-4.40 oz

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)435.1-2175.6 (high pressure fuel line) psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)69.6-75.4(low pressure fuel line) psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)435.1-2175.6 (high pressure fuel line) psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)69.6-75.4(low pressure fuel line) psi
Engine CompressionPSI 128 - 149 / Max Variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0105-0.0130 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23 / 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-; Front: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .370
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0009; Rear: .0012

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 68.0-72.020–23 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inner bolts36 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe sits in a notable trough within its generation’s complaint trend: after a peak of 604 complaints in 2013 and a decline to 253 in 2015, the 2016 model logged 235 complaints before a dramatic spike to 941 in 2017. Recalls and investigations for 2016 (3 each) are moderate and consistent with the generation’s early years, while the 2017 model’s 6 recalls and 941 complaints signal a sharp deterioration. Engine-related issues dominate the 2016 complaint record at 127, but the data does not specify root causes. This pattern suggests the 2016 model year avoided the severe problems that plagued the 2017 version, making it a relatively safer choice within the generation. However, the persistent engine complaints and 3 recalls mean a thorough pre-purchase inspection remains essential.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
111
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
235
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 235 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine127
Unknown Or Other16
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Power Train7
Power Train,Engine6
Air Bags5
Electrical System4
Structure4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V358000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:LatchReported 05/06/2017

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… 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…

16V145000Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/DevicesReported 10/03/2016

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 111 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z01 Letter2026-05-22Electrical SystemCertain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model…
26-BE-011H DN2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
26-BE-011H TSB2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Fe. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Santa Fe get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.