Last updated: 2026-07-26
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Santa-FE
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Choosing between the Hyundai Santa-FE and the Jeep Grand Cherokee? 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 70/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Hyundai Santa-FE and Jeep Grand Cherokee Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Hyundai Santa-FE is more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, scoring 70/100 vs 66/100.
The Hyundai Santa Fe outperforms the Jeep Grand Cherokee in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 79 out of 100 compared to 67. While the Grand Cherokee has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (6.8 versus 8), it has significantly more recalls, totaling 97 over nine years. Additionally, the Santa Fe benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs, averaging $515 against the Grand Cherokee's $666. Overall, the Hyundai Santa Fe's combination of higher reliability scores and lower repair costs makes it the more dependable choice in the midsize SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Santa-FE costs $151 less per year to repair
- 2Hyundai Santa-FE has 37 fewer total recalls
- 3Hyundai Santa-FE scores 4 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Santa-FE | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 70/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 60 | 97 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8 | 6.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $515/yr | $666/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 10% | 13% |
| Year Wins | 7 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Santa-FE and Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system, with 846 complaints and 15 linked to crashes, indicating a significant area of concern. In contrast, the Hyundai Santa-Fe's most reported issue is the engine, totaling 321 complaints, though it shows fewer crash-linked incidents across categories. Both vehicles face issues with the power train and unknown or other problems, but the Grand Cherokee's steering and air bag complaints show a higher crash-linked risk, with 14 and 37 incidents, respectively. Overall, the Jeep Grand Cherokee presents more severe safety concerns, especially in steering and air bags, compared to the Hyundai Santa-Fe.
| Component | Hyundai Santa-FE | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 2.2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.3Low | 0.7Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 0.9Very Low |
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Santa-FE or Jeep Grand Cherokee?
How Does Hyundai Santa-FE vs Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Santa-FE | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 75/1005R / 5C | 70/1002R / 0C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2025 | 75/1006R / 109C | 75/1003R / 59C | Tie |
| 2024 | 73/1009R / 109C | 66/10020R / 204C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2023 | 70/1004R / 244C | 63/10022R / 363C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2022 | 66/10014R / 223C | 62/10014R / 192C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2021 | 69/10010R / 165C | 63/10015R / 427C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2020 | 70/1002R / 165C | 72/1003R / 207C | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| 2019 | 69/1003R / 201C | 67/1007R / 336C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2018 | 63/1007R / 489C | 60/10011R / 804C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Hyundai Santa-FE scored 75/100 and the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Santa-FE vs the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Santa-FE more reliable than the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Based on our data, the Hyundai Santa-FE is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Santa-FE or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- The Jeep Grand Cherokee has more recalls (97) compared to the Hyundai Santa-FE (60). 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-FE or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8 for the Hyundai Santa-FE. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Hyundai Santa-FE or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Santa-FE is cheaper to maintain at $515/year versus $666/year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Hyundai Santa-FE comparisons
More Jeep Grand Cherokee comparisons
Decided between Hyundai Santa-FE and Jeep Grand Cherokee? 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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