Last updated: 2026-03-04
Chevrolet Traverse vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Traverse
Hyundai Santa-FE
Choosing between the Chevrolet Traverse 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Traverse and Hyundai Santa-FE Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Chevrolet Traverse and Hyundai Santa-FE are evenly matched with a reliability score of 69/100.
The Hyundai Santa-Fe demonstrates a stronger reliability profile with an average reliability score of 79/100 compared to the Chevrolet Traverse's 68/100. Although the Santa-Fe has a higher total recall count of 60 over nine years, it maintains a slightly lower owner complaint rate of 8 per 10,000 sold versus the Traverse's 7.2. The Santa-Fe also benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $515 compared to the Traverse's $656. Despite both vehicles sharing similar common issues, the Santa-Fe's combination of higher reliability score and lower repair costs makes it the more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Santa-FE costs $141 less per year to repair
- 2Chevrolet Traverse has 41 fewer total recalls
- 3Hyundai Santa-FE has 8% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Traverse vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Traverse | Hyundai Santa-FE |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 69/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 60 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.2 | 8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $656/yr | $515/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 18% | 10% |
| Year Wins | 3 (2 tied) | 3 (2 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Traverse and Hyundai Santa-FE?
The Chevrolet Traverse and Hyundai Santa Fe exhibit distinct problem profiles based on aggregated complaint data. The Traverse shows a higher incidence of power train issues, with 431 complaints, including 6 linked to crashes, indicating a significant area of concern. In contrast, the Santa Fe's most frequent issue is with the engine, accounting for 321 complaints, although none are crash-linked. Both models face notable electrical system and service brake complaints, but the Santa Fe has a higher number of crash-linked issues in service brakes and vehicle speed control, suggesting a potential area for enhanced safety focus.
| Component | Chevrolet Traverse | Hyundai Santa-FE |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2.2Low | 1.3Low |
| ENGINE | 0.6Very Low | 1.5Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 0.9Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 1.1Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Traverse or Hyundai Santa-FE?
How Does Chevrolet Traverse vs Hyundai Santa-FE Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Traverse | Hyundai Santa-FE | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1000R / 132C | 75/1006R / 109C | Tie |
| 2024 | 73/1000R / 107C | 73/1009R / 109C | Tie |
| 2023 | 72/1002R / 62C | 70/1004R / 244C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2022 | 73/1001R / 76C | 66/10014R / 223C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2021 | 71/1003R / 72C | 69/10010R / 165C | Chevrolet Traverse |
| 2020 | 62/1008R / 188C | 70/1002R / 165C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2019 | 62/1003R / 358C | 69/1003R / 201C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2018 | 62/1002R / 416C | 63/1007R / 489C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse scored 75/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Santa-FE scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Traverse vs the Hyundai Santa-FE?
Chevrolet Traverse vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Traverse more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- They're very close — both average 69/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Traverse or the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- The Hyundai Santa-FE has more recalls (60) compared to the Chevrolet Traverse (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 Traverse or the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Traverse has a lower complaint rate at 7.2 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 Traverse or the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Santa-FE is cheaper to maintain at $515/year versus $656/year for the Chevrolet Traverse.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Traverse comparisons
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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue