Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Edge vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Reliability Compared
Ford Edge
Hyundai Santa-FE
Choosing between the Ford Edge 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 Hyundai Santa-FE currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa-FE Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Hyundai Santa-FE is more reliable than the Ford Edge, scoring 69/100 vs 67/100.
The Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Edge both fall into the midsize SUV category, with the Santa Fe holding a slight edge in reliability with a score of 69/100 compared to the Edge's 67/100. The Santa Fe has a lower owner complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold, while the Edge reports 9.4 per 10,000, suggesting marginally better satisfaction for Hyundai's offering. The Ford Edge has fewer total recalls over its production period, but the Santa Fe benefits from a more predictable estimated annual repair cost of $515. Overall, Hyundai's Santa Fe narrowly surpasses the Ford Edge in reliability due to its slightly better reliability score and lower complaint rate.
Key Differences
- 1Ford Edge has 28 fewer total recalls
- 2Hyundai Santa-FE scores 2 points higher in reliability
- 3Hyundai Santa-FE has 1.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford Edge vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Edge | Hyundai Santa-FE |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 67/100 | 69/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 32 | 60 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 9.4 | 8 |
| Year Wins | 3 (1 tied) | 3 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa-FE?
The Hyundai Santa-FE and Ford Edge exhibit distinct problem profiles based on complaint data. The Ford Edge shows a significant concentration of issues in the power train category with 683 complaints, including 8 linked to crashes, underscoring a critical area of concern. In contrast, the Hyundai Santa-FE has a more balanced distribution of problems, with notable issues in the engine and power train categories, yet it also reports a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints in the service brakes category (11) compared to the Edge's 5. Both models share common challenges in electrical systems, but the Santa-FE's issues are more frequently associated with crash incidents, particularly in unknown or other categories, pointing to potential safety implications.
| Component | Ford Edge | Hyundai Santa-FE |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 3.3Average | 1.3Low |
| ENGINE | 2Low | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 1.1Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.9Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —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: Ford Edge or Hyundai Santa-FE?
How Does Ford Edge vs Hyundai Santa-FE Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Edge | Hyundai Santa-FE | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 76/1002R / 38C | 73/1009R / 109C | Ford Edge |
| 2023 | 74/1004R / 16C | 70/1004R / 244C | Ford Edge |
| 2022 | 69/1005R / 113C | 66/10014R / 223C | Ford Edge |
| 2021 | 69/1007R / 92C | 69/10010R / 165C | Tie |
| 2020 | 64/1004R / 272C | 70/1002R / 165C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2019 | 60/1003R / 687C | 69/1003R / 201C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2018 | 57/1007R / 746C | 63/1007R / 489C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Edge scored 76/100 and the 2024 Hyundai Santa-FE scored 73/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Edge vs the Hyundai Santa-FE?
Ford Edge vs Hyundai Santa-FE: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Edge more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- Based on our data, the Hyundai Santa-FE is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Edge or the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- The Hyundai Santa-FE has more recalls (60) compared to the Ford Edge (32). 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 Ford Edge or the Hyundai Santa-FE?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Santa-FE has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.4 for the Ford Edge. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa-FE? Run a VIN check 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
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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