Last updated: 2026-05-15
Hyundai Santa-Cruz vs Toyota Tacoma: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Santa-Cruz
Toyota Tacoma
Choosing between the Hyundai Santa-Cruz and the Toyota Tacoma? 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 trucks.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Hyundai Santa-Cruz currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 63/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Hyundai Santa-Cruz and Toyota Tacoma Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Hyundai Santa-Cruz is more reliable than the Toyota Tacoma, scoring 66/100 vs 63/100.
The Hyundai Santa-Cruz edges out the Toyota Tacoma in reliability with a slightly higher average reliability score of 66/100 compared to Tacoma's 63/100. The Santa-Cruz also has a lower complaint rate of 20.2 per 10,000 sold, against Tacoma's 30.1, and has experienced fewer recalls, with 11 over five years versus Tacoma's 23 in nine years. Although independent repair cost estimates are unavailable for the Santa-Cruz, Tacoma's estimated annual repair cost is moderate at $478. Both models share common issues like power train and electrical system problems, but the Santa-Cruz's recall history and lower complaint rate make it the more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Santa-Cruz has 12 fewer total recalls
- 2Hyundai Santa-Cruz has 9.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Hyundai Santa-Cruz scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Santa-Cruz vs Toyota Tacoma: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Santa-Cruz | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 63/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 11 | 23 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 20.2 | 30.1 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 | 2 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Santa-Cruz and Toyota Tacoma?
The Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa-Cruz present distinct problem profiles, with the Tacoma experiencing a higher total number of complaints at 795 compared to the Santa-Cruz's 289. Notably, the Tacoma has significant issues with its service brakes, accumulating 121 complaints, 13 of which are crash-linked, and air bags with 31 complaints, 23 crash-linked, indicating potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Santa-Cruz's most frequent issue is with the power train, comprising 116 complaints, including 2 crash-linked incidents. While both vehicles share concerns about the power train, the Tacoma's safety-related complaints are more pronounced, especially in crash-linked incidents involving the service brakes and air bags.
| Component | Hyundai Santa-Cruz | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 8.1Above Avg | 5.8Average |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 4.6Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.9Low | 2.4Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | 3Low |
| ENGINE | 1.7Low | 1.7Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2.2Low | 1.1Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | 1.2Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 1.7Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.7Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 1.4Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.8Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.8Very Low | —None |
| TRAILER HITCHES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| TIRES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Santa-Cruz or Toyota Tacoma?
How Does Hyundai Santa-Cruz vs Toyota Tacoma Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Santa-Cruz | Toyota Tacoma | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72/1002R / 15C | 70/1004R / 33C | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
| 2024 | 71/1001R / 30C | 55/1004R / 126C | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
| 2023 | 64/1002R / 73C | 68/1004R / 42C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2022 | 57/1004R / 171C | 67/1003R / 51C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2026(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | 64/100(predicted) | Hyundai Santa-Cruz |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz scored 72/100 and the 2025 Toyota Tacoma scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Santa-Cruz vs the Toyota Tacoma?
Hyundai Santa-Cruz vs Toyota Tacoma: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Santa-Cruz more reliable than the Toyota Tacoma?
- Based on our data, the Hyundai Santa-Cruz is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 63/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Santa-Cruz or the Toyota Tacoma?
- The Toyota Tacoma has more recalls (23) 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 Hyundai Santa-Cruz or the Toyota Tacoma?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Santa-Cruz has a lower complaint rate at 20.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 30.1 for the Toyota Tacoma. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Hyundai Santa-Cruz or Toyota Tacoma safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Hyundai Santa-Cruz has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Toyota Tacoma. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Hyundai Santa-Cruz and Toyota Tacoma? 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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue