Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa-Cruz: Reliability Compared
Ford Maverick
Hyundai Santa-Cruz
Choosing between the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa-Cruz? 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 compact trucks.
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 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa-Cruz Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa-Cruz are evenly matched with a reliability score of 66/100.
Both the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa-Cruz achieve an average reliability score of 66 out of 100, suggesting similar overall reliability. However, the Ford Maverick has faced significantly more recalls, with 69 compared to the Hyundai Santa-Cruz's 11 over the past five years. The complaint rate per 10,000 vehicles is slightly higher for the Maverick at 20.8 versus the Santa-Cruz's 20.2. These factors, coupled with the Maverick's broader range of common issues, give the Hyundai Santa-Cruz a slight edge in reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Santa-Cruz has 58 fewer total recalls
- 2Hyundai Santa-Cruz has 0.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa-Cruz: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 69 | 11 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 20.8 | 20.2 |
| Year Wins | 1 (1 tied) | 2 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
The Ford Maverick has a significantly higher total number of complaints at 1050 compared to the Hyundai Santa-Cruz's 289, with the most frequent issues for the Maverick being related to the power train and electrical system. Notably, the Maverick's electrical system and air bags have higher crash-linked complaints, with 4 and 10 respectively. In contrast, the Santa-Cruz's most reported problem is the power train, with a lower number of crash-linked issues at 2. While both vehicles face challenges with their power trains, the Maverick exhibits more severe safety-related concerns, particularly in its air bags and electrical system.
| Component | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 5.9Average | 8.1Above Avg |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4.5Average | 1.9Low |
| ENGINE | 1.6Low | 1.7Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.9Very Low | 2.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2.3Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.5Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.6Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.8Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.6Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| TRAILER HITCHES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa-Cruz Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa-Cruz | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1006R / 31C | 72/1002R / 15C | Ford Maverick |
| 2024 | 71/10014R / 139C | 71/1001R / 30C | Tie |
| 2023 | 60/10020R / 308C | 64/1002R / 73C | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
| 2022 | 54/10027R / 572C | 57/1004R / 171C | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
| 2026(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Maverick scored 77/100 and the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Maverick vs the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa-Cruz: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Maverick more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
- They're very close — both average 66/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Maverick or the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
- The Ford Maverick has more recalls (69) compared to the Hyundai Santa-Cruz (11). 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 Maverick or the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Santa-Cruz has a lower complaint rate at 20.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.8 for the Ford Maverick. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa-Cruz? 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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