Last updated: 2026-03-04
Chevrolet Blazer vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Blazer
Hyundai Santa-FE
Choosing between the Chevrolet Blazer and the Hyundai Santa-FE? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Blazer currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Blazer and Hyundai Santa-FE Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Chevrolet Blazer is more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE, scoring 74/100 vs 69/100.
The Chevrolet Blazer edges out the Hyundai Santa-FE in reliability with a slightly higher average reliability score of 82/100 compared to 79/100 for the Santa-FE. The Blazer also boasts a lower owner complaint rate of 2.1 per 10,000 sold versus the Santa-FE's 8 per 10,000, alongside fewer total recalls over a shorter production span. While both vehicles have similar estimated annual repair costs, the Blazer's lower recall history and complaint rate make it the more reliable choice in the midsize SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Blazer has 41 fewer total recalls
- 2Hyundai Santa-FE costs $6 less per year to repair
- 3Chevrolet Blazer has 5.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Blazer vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Blazer | Hyundai Santa-FE |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 69/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 60 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 2.1 | 8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $521/yr | $515/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Year Wins | 5 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Blazer and Hyundai Santa-FE?
The Hyundai Santa-FE exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the engine and power train categories, with 321 and 269 complaints respectively, compared to the Chevrolet Blazer's 51 and 135. Notably, the Santa-FE's power train issues include 9 crash-linked incidents, a significant safety concern when compared to the Blazer's single crash-linked power train issue. Additionally, the Santa-FE has more complaints related to unknown or other issues and service brakes, with 12 and 11 crash-linked incidents respectively, indicating potential areas of severity. On the other hand, the Chevrolet Blazer has a relatively higher proportion of complaints related to the steering and electrical systems, though these are less frequently linked to crashes.
| Component | Chevrolet Blazer | Hyundai Santa-FE |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 1.3Low |
| ENGINE | 0.2Very Low | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 1.1Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| PARKING BRAKE | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Blazer or Hyundai Santa-FE?
How Does Chevrolet Blazer vs Hyundai Santa-FE Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Blazer | Hyundai Santa-FE | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1004R / 26C | 75/1006R / 109C | Chevrolet Blazer |
| 2024 | 70/1006R / 99C | 73/1009R / 109C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2023 | 78/1002R / 29C | 70/1004R / 244C | Chevrolet Blazer |
| 2022 | 79/1001R / 33C | 66/10014R / 223C | Chevrolet Blazer |
| 2021 | 74/1001R / 104C | 69/10010R / 165C | Chevrolet Blazer |
| 2020 | 71/1003R / 178C | 70/1002R / 165C | Chevrolet Blazer |
| 2019 | 69/1002R / 170C | 69/1003R / 201C | Tie |
| 2026(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | Chevrolet Blazer |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer scored 79/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Santa-FE scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Blazer vs the Hyundai Santa-FE?
Chevrolet Blazer vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Blazer more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Blazer is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Blazer or the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- The Hyundai Santa-FE has more recalls (60) compared to the Chevrolet Blazer (19). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Blazer or the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Blazer has a lower complaint rate at 2.1 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Hyundai Santa-FE. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Blazer or the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Santa-FE is cheaper to maintain at $515/year versus $521/year for the Chevrolet Blazer.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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