Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Santa Fe: Reliability Compared

Ford Explorer reliability comparison

Ford Explorer

67
GoodReliability score: 67 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableHyundai Santa Fe reliability comparison

Hyundai Santa Fe

70
GoodReliability score: 70 out of 100, rated Good

The Hyundai Santa-FE edges out the Ford Explorer on reliability, mainly because it costs less to repair and has far fewer recalls. Both rate good, so the lead is slight. Oil burning is the Santa-FE's main risk. Shifting and power-loss faults lead the Explorer's complaints.

How Do the Ford Explorer and Hyundai Santa Fe Generations Compare?

Two of the Explorer's weakest years, 2020 and 2021, fall inside its sixth generation, which ran from 2020 through 2023. Model years 2018 and 2019 came from the fifth generation, which started in 2011 and got a facelift in 2016. For the Santa-FE, 2018 closed out the third generation and is one of its weakest years. The fourth generation ran from 2019 and received a refresh for 2021, and 2022 is the other weak year. The fifth generation began with the 2024 model year. Budget shoppers will mostly see fourth-generation cars, so check the specific year against the weak years first.

Verdict

The Hyundai Santa Fe is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 70/100 vs 67/100.

Slight edge to the Santa-FE. Its independent repair-cost data is lower, its repairs are less often major, and it has about half as many recalls. The gap is small, though. Both rate good, and both average the same number of unscheduled shop visits. The Santa-FE also draws more complaints per vehicle sold, so the edge comes from cost and recall load, not from fewer owner complaints. Its worst problems, heavy oil burning and a handful of brake and acceleration reports, are serious enough to keep the lead narrow.

Key Differences

  1. 1Hyundai Santa Fe costs $217 less per year to repair
  2. 2Hyundai Santa Fe has 57 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Hyundai Santa Fe has 4% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

1Ford Explorer
—
4Hyundai Santa Fe
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Santa Fe: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Santa Fe at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricFord ExplorerHyundai Santa Fe
Reliability Score67/10070/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls11760
Complaints per 10k Sold6.88
Annual Repair Cost$732/yr$515/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk14%10%
Year Wins2 (2 tied)5 (2 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Hyundai Santa Fe?

Harsh or erratic shifting, sudden power loss from wiring harness or ground faults, and engine failures with quotes of $11,000 to $12,000 define the Explorer's complaints. Loose trim and a slow rear camera recall fix add to the list. The Santa-FE's complaints center on engines that burn oil until they knock, stall, or fail, usually at high mileage. Only the Santa-FE has crash-linked reports in service brakes and vehicle speed control, including cars surging while parking. The Explorer has crash-linked reports in structure and rear camera complaints, categories the Santa-FE list does not show.

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Santa Fe common problem areas comparison
ComponentFord ExplorerHyundai Santa Fe
POWER TRAIN1.6Low1.3Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.1Low1.2Low
ENGINE0.4Very Low1.5Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.7Very Low0.9Very Low
STRUCTURE1.1Low0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.2Very Low0.5Very Low
STEERING0.2Very Low0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL—None0.3Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION0.2Very Low—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE—None0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING0.1Very Low—None
SEATS0.1Very Low—None
SUSPENSION0.1Very Low—None
VISIBILITY—None0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS—None0.1Very Low
TIRES—None—None
TRAILER HITCHES—None—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Explorer or Hyundai Santa Fe?

Repair costs favor the Hyundai. Independent repair-cost data puts its annual bill at $515, against $732 for the Ford. That gap is $217 a year, or about $1,085 over five years. Both models average 0.2 unscheduled shop visits a year, so neither sends you back more often. The difference is severity. A repair on the Explorer has a 14% chance of being major, compared with 10% on the Santa-FE.

How Does Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Santa Fe year-by-year reliability scores
YearFord ExplorerHyundai Santa FeEdge
202670/1004R / 0C75/1005R / 5CHyundai Santa Fe
202572/10014R / 65C75/1006R / 109CHyundai Santa Fe
202473/1006R / 14C73/1009R / 109CTie
202371/10012R / 84C70/1004R / 244CFord Explorer
202265/10021R / 208C66/10014R / 223CHyundai Santa Fe
202162/10022R / 354C69/10010R / 165CHyundai Santa Fe
202054/10029R / 1066C70/1002R / 165CHyundai Santa Fe
201969/1004R / 252C69/1003R / 201CTie
201864/1005R / 651C63/1007R / 489CFord Explorer

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe scored 73/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Hyundai Santa Fe?

Pick the Santa-FE if you want lower running costs and fewer recall notices. Check the oil level before you buy, since oil burning shows up in higher-mileage cars. Ask for service records and confirm the brakes and parking brake behave normally on a test drive. Avoid 2018 and 2022, which are its weakest years. The newest years rank well, but they have had little time to collect complaints, so do not treat them as proven. Pick the Explorer if you value its overall good standing and can accept a higher repair bill. Avoid 2020 and 2021, its weakest years. Before buying, check that every open recall is done, especially the rear camera recalls, where owners say parts were unavailable for a long time. During a test drive, pay attention to shifting from a stop and any warning lights. Ask whether the wiring harness or engine has ever been repaired. If you plan to keep the car for years, the Explorer's higher cost and major-repair risk matter more.

Ford Explorer vs Hyundai Santa Fe: Common Questions

Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE?
No, the Santa-FE has a slight edge. Both rate good and both average 0.2 unscheduled shop visits a year. The Santa-FE wins on lower annual repair cost, a lower chance of a major repair, and fewer recalls. The Explorer draws fewer complaints per vehicle sold.
Which has more recalls, the Explorer or the Santa-FE?
The Explorer has more. Federal recall records show 117 recalls across its 9 model years, compared with 60 for the Santa-FE. Two of the Explorer's recalls involve the rear camera, and owners report long waits for parts. Check any car's VIN for open recalls before buying.
Which costs less to repair, the Explorer or the Santa-FE?
The Santa-FE costs less. Independent repair-cost data estimates $515 a year for it and $732 for the Explorer. That is about $1,085 more over five years for the Explorer. A repair is also more likely to be major on the Explorer, at 14% versus 10%.
What is the biggest problem with the Hyundai Santa-FE?
Engine oil burning is the biggest pattern. Owners find the engine quarts low with no visible leak, often between roughly 78,788 and 110,000 miles. Left alone, it can lead to knocking, stalling, or engine failure. Check the oil level and service history before buying.
What goes wrong most often on the Ford Explorer?
Power train complaints lead, with 618 reports. Owners describe harsh or delayed shifting, skipped gears, and sudden downshifts. Electrical faults that cut all power come next, and dealers traced several to the main wiring harness or a ground wire. Engine failures are fewer but can cost $11,000 to $12,000.

Related Reliability Comparisons

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How we score the Ford Explorer and Hyundai Santa Fe

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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