Last updated: 2026-10-10

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Outback: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Santa Fe reliability comparison

Hyundai Santa Fe

70
GoodReliability score: 70 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableSubaru Outback reliability comparison

Subaru Outback

72
GoodReliability score: 72 out of 100, rated Good

Reliability favors the Subaru Outback by a slight margin over the Hyundai Santa-FE. The Outback has far fewer recalls and no crash-linked brake complaints. The Santa-FE is cheaper to repair and draws fewer complaints per car sold, so the lead stays small.

How Do the Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Outback Generations Compare?

Your 2018 to 2026 search covers three Outback generations. The fifth generation ran 2015 to 2019 and was facelifted in 2018. The sixth ran 2020 to 2025 and was refreshed in 2023. The seventh began with the 2026 model year. The newest years have had little time to collect complaints, so their clean records prove little yet. The Santa-FE's third generation ended with 2018, one of its weakest years. The fourth ran 2019 to 2023 and was refreshed for 2021. The fifth generation began with 2024. Most used Santa-FEs you will find are fourth generation.

Verdict

The Subaru Outback is more reliable than the Hyundai Santa Fe, scoring 72/100 vs 70/100.

A slight edge goes to the Outback. Both cars hold a good reliability standing, so the gap is small. The Outback has far fewer federal recalls, and its complaint areas lack the brake failures and sudden acceleration that appear for the Santa-FE. The Santa-FE costs less to run and draws fewer complaints per car sold, which keeps the lead slight. The Outback's cracking windshields and repeat dead batteries are the most common complaints, and its crash-linked reports involve steering, electrical, and power train faults.

Key Differences

  1. 1Hyundai Santa Fe costs $92 less per year to repair
  2. 2Subaru Outback has 38 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Hyundai Santa Fe has 18.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

4Hyundai Santa Fe
—
2Subaru Outback
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Outback: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Outback at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricHyundai Santa FeSubaru Outback
Reliability Score70/10072/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls6022
Complaints per 10k Sold826.1
Annual Repair Cost$515/yr$607/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk10%12%
Year Wins2 (1 tied)6 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Outback?

Glass and electrical trouble dominate the Outback's complaints. Windshields crack with little or no impact, sometimes around the EyeSight camera, and batteries die repeatedly, with some dealers pointing to the data communications module. The Santa-FE's pattern is mechanical. Heavy oil burning is the top complaint, leading to knocking, stalling, and some engine failures. Only the Santa-FE has crash-linked brake complaints, where the car would not stop, and crash-linked sudden acceleration while parking. The Outback's crash-linked reports center on steering, where the car wanders at highway speed, plus electrical and power train faults.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Outback common problem areas comparison
ComponentHyundai Santa FeSubaru Outback
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very Low8.3Above Avg
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.9Very Low7.2Above Avg
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.2Low3.9Average
POWER TRAIN1.3Low0.6Very Low
ENGINE1.5Low0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY0.1Very Low1.5Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.5Very Low0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.3Very Low0.4Very Low
STEERING0.1Very Low0.6Very Low
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE0.1Very Low0.4Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.1Very Low0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS0.1Very Low—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very Low—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING—None0.1Very Low
TIRES—None—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION—None—None
TRAILER HITCHES—None—None
LANE DEPARTURE—None—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES—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 Subaru Outback?

Running costs favor the Santa-FE. Independent repair-cost data puts it at $515 a year against $607 for the Outback, a gap of $92 that adds up to about $460 over five years. It also averages 0.2 unscheduled shop visits a year, half the Outback's 0.4. When a repair does come, 10% of Santa-FE repairs are major, against 12% for the Outback. The gaps are modest, but they all favor the Hyundai.

How Does Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Outback Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Outback year-by-year reliability scores
YearHyundai Santa FeSubaru OutbackEdge
202675/1005R / 5C82/1000R / 0CSubaru Outback
202575/1006R / 109C82/1000R / 43CSubaru Outback
202473/1009R / 109C82/1000R / 69CSubaru Outback
202370/1004R / 244C77/1002R / 83CSubaru Outback
202266/10014R / 223C67/1004R / 435CSubaru Outback
202169/10010R / 165C69/1004R / 283CTie
202070/1002R / 165C60/1006R / 884CHyundai Santa Fe
201969/1003R / 201C63/1003R / 1017CHyundai Santa Fe
201863/1007R / 489C64/1003R / 779CSubaru Outback

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe scored 73/100 and the 2024 Subaru Outback scored 82/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe vs the Subaru Outback?

Pick the Outback if you want the cleaner safety record and can live with some hassle. Federal recall records show 22 recalls against 60 for the Santa-FE, and brake and sudden acceleration complaints are absent. Avoid 2019 and 2020, its weakest years. Before buying, check the windshield for cracks, ask about repeat battery replacements, and test the steering on the highway for wandering. Pick the Santa-FE if low running costs matter most. It costs less to repair, visits the shop less often, and draws fewer complaints per car sold. Avoid 2018 and 2022, its weakest years. Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm every open recall was done. On any car in the 78,788 to 110,000 mile range, ask for oil change records and check the oil level yourself, since heavy oil burning shows up there. Skip a car with a history of engine noise or low oil warnings.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Outback: Common Questions

Is the Subaru Outback more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE?
Slightly, yes. Both have a good reliability standing, but the Outback has 22 recalls to the Santa-FE's 60 and no crash-linked brake or sudden acceleration complaints. The Santa-FE wins on repair cost and complaints per car sold, so the gap is small.
Which has more recalls, the Outback or the Santa-FE?
The Santa-FE has far more. Federal recall records show 60 recalls across its 2018 to 2026 model years, against 22 for the Outback. Recalls are free to fix, so check the VIN of any car you consider and confirm the work was done.
Which costs less to repair?
The Santa-FE. Independent repair-cost data estimates $515 a year against $607 for the Outback. Over five years that is roughly $460 saved. The Santa-FE also needs fewer unscheduled shop visits, 0.2 a year against 0.4.
Do Santa-FE engines burn oil?
Heavy oil burning is the top Santa-FE complaint. Owners find the engine several quarts low with no visible leak, often around 78,788 to 110,000 miles. Left unchecked it can cause knocking, stalling and engine failure. Check the oil level and service records before buying.
Why do Outback windshields crack so often?
Owner complaints do not name a cause. Owners report cracks starting with little or no impact, sometimes while parked, and some have replaced the glass two to four times. Dealers often blame rock strikes. Cracks near the EyeSight camera mean the replacement glass needs camera recalibration.

Related Reliability Comparisons

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How we score the Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Outback

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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