Last updated: 2026-05-15

Dodge vs Hyundai: Reliability Compared

Comparing Dodge and Hyundai on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.

Dodge currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.

Is Dodge More Reliable Than Hyundai?

MetricDodgeHyundai
Avg Reliability Score72/10068/100
Models Tracked59
Avg Recalls per Model1823
Avg Complaints per Model3681093
Avg Annual Repair Cost$663/yr$492/yr

Dodge Models

5 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Hyundai Models

9 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Dodge vs Hyundai: The Verdict

Between these two, Dodge comes out ahead on reliability, though specific model choice matters more than the overall gap. Aggregating recall data, owner complaints, and repair costs across every model we track, Dodge averages 72/100 (5 models) and Hyundai averages 68/100 (9 models).

On the cost front, Hyundai is cheaper to maintain at $492/year versus $663/year. Over 5 years, that's roughly $855 in savings. Worth noting: repair costs vary heavily by model within each make, so this is an average — check individual model pages for specifics.

Where Dodge and Hyundai Differ Most

Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:

ComponentWeightDodgeHyundai
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
68/100Good
59/100Mixed
Repair Costs

Annual maintenance and repair expenses

30%
68/100Good
69/100Good
Recall Impact

Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside)

20%
76/100Good
73/100Good
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
81/100Excellent
82/100Excellent

Where they diverge most: complaint severity. Dodge has a 9-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.

Dodge vs Hyundai: Strengths and Weaknesses

Dodge

Strengths

  • Strong overall reliability (72/100 average)
  • Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • 4 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

Hyundai

Strengths

  • Above-average reliability (68/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Very affordable maintenance ($492/year avg)
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years
  • 8 of 9 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • 125 fire-related complaints across lineup
  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

How Reliable Are Dodge and Hyundai Lineups?

Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:

Dodge

Excellent (80+)0 models
Good (60–79)4 models
Mixed (40–59)1 model
Poor (0–39)0 models

Hyundai

Excellent (80+)0 models
Good (60–79)8 models
Mixed (40–59)1 model
Poor (0–39)0 models

Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge or Hyundai?

Based on independent repair cost data, Hyundai is cheaper to maintain at an average of $492/year compared to $663/year for Dodge. That's a difference of $171/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.

Dodge Repair Cost Range

$650 – $675/yr

Average: $663/yr

Hyundai Repair Cost Range

$426 – $573/yr

Average: $492/yr

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability by Vehicle Type

How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:

CategoryDodgeHyundaiWinner
Sedans(2 vs 3 models)74/10073/100Dodge
SUVs(2 vs 5 models)65/10064/100Dodge

Dodge wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.

Common Problems: Dodge vs Hyundai

Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:

ComponentDodgeHyundai
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28%42920%1,717
ENGINE6%9919%1,626
POWER TRAIN11%16715%1,280
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11%17313%1,105
SERVICE BRAKES4%669%750
SEAT BELTS1%84%308
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1%123%297
EXTERIOR LIGHTING11%1701%130
AIR BAGS10%1492%135
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE3%271

Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.

Dodge vs Hyundai Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries

Across all tracked models, Dodge owners reported 84 crash-related, 20 fire-related, and 88 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Hyundai owners reported 391 crash-related, 125 fire-related, and 326 injury-related complaints. Dodge has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.

Dodge

84

Crash reports

20

Fire reports

88

Injury reports

Hyundai

391

Crash reports

125

Fire reports

326

Injury reports

Every Dodge and Hyundai Model Ranked

All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.

Dodge vs Hyundai Reliability Trend by Year

Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:

Dodge's reliability has been stable across the years we track. Hyundai's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100.

Model YearDodgeHyundaiEdge
202571/100(3)73/100(9)Hyundai
202468/100(3)72/100(9)Hyundai
202371/100(4)66/100(9)Dodge
202273/100(3)63/100(8)Dodge
202172/100(3)68/100(6)Dodge
202077/100(4)66/100(6)Dodge
201972/100(4)68/100(5)Dodge
201870/100(4)67/100(5)Dodge

Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.

Dodge vs Hyundai: Head-to-Head Model Matchups

These are direct competitor models between Dodge and Hyundai. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:

The Bottom Line: Dodge or Hyundai?

The data favors Dodge, but remember: the best model from the "losing" make often beats the worst model from the "winning" one.

If you want the single most reliable option: the Dodge Grand-Caravan leads both lineups with a score of 78/100.

Budget-conscious buyers should note that Hyundai costs less to maintain — $492/year vs $663/year. Over a typical 5-year ownership period, that adds up to roughly $855 in savings.

All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.

Dodge vs Hyundai: Common Questions

Is Dodge more reliable than Hyundai?
Based on our data, Dodge is more reliable overall with an average reliability score of 72/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both makes are reasonable choices.
Which is cheaper to maintain, Dodge or Hyundai?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, Hyundai is cheaper to maintain at an average of $492/year compared to $663/year for Dodge.
Which make has more recalls, Dodge or Hyundai?
On a per-model average, Hyundai has more recalls (~23 per model) compared to Dodge (~18 per model). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — many are minor or preventative.
What are the most reliable models from Dodge and Hyundai?
The most reliable Dodge model is the Grand-Caravan (avg score: 78/100), while the most reliable Hyundai model is the Elantra (avg score: 78/100).
What are the least reliable models from Dodge and Hyundai?
The least reliable Dodge model is the Hornet (avg score: 59/100), while the least reliable Hyundai model is the Ioniq 5 (avg score: 52/100). Check individual model pages for year-specific data before ruling these out.
What are the most common problems with Dodge and Hyundai vehicles?
The most frequently reported issue for Dodge is electrical system (28% of complaints), while for Hyundai it's electrical system (20% of complaints). These are based on NHTSA owner complaint data across all tracked models.
Which make has more reliable models overall, Dodge or Hyundai?
Hyundai has a higher proportion of models scoring "good" or "excellent." Dodge has 0 excellent and 4 good-rated models out of 5, while Hyundai has 0 excellent and 8 good-rated models out of 9.
How many Dodge and Hyundai models does Auto Reliability Index track?
We track 5 Dodge models across 8 model years and 9 Hyundai models across 8 model years. Scores are based on NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Dodge or Hyundai?
On a per-model average, Dodge has fewer owner complaints (~368 per model) compared to Hyundai (~1093 per model). Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Are Dodge and Hyundai getting more or less reliable?
Based on recent model year data, Dodge reliability is stable while Hyundai reliability is improving. We compare average scores across the most recent 3 model years to determine the trend direction.
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Dodge or Hyundai?
For first-time buyers prioritizing reliability, Dodge has a slight edge with its higher average score. However, specific model choice matters more than make — check individual model pages for the best options in your budget and vehicle type.
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Dodge or Hyundai?
Dodge has fewer owner-reported crashes, fires, and injuries in our database. Dodge has 84 crash reports, 20 fire reports, and 88 injury reports. Hyundai has 391 crash, 125 fire, and 326 injury reports. Note that complaint volume correlates with sales volume.

Comparing Dodge vs Hyundai? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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.