Last updated: 2026-05-15
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Santa-FE
Toyota 4RUNNER
Choosing between the Hyundai Santa-FE and the Toyota 4RUNNER? 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 Toyota 4RUNNER currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Hyundai Santa-FE and Toyota 4RUNNER Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE, scoring 80/100 vs 69/100.
The Toyota 4RUNNER demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 90/100 compared to the Hyundai Santa-FE's 79/100. With only 1.5 owner complaints per 10,000 units sold versus the Santa-FE's 8, and a significantly lower recall count of 17 over nine years compared to 60, the 4RUNNER clearly leads in reliability metrics. While both models have similar estimated annual repair costs around $514, the 4RUNNER's lower incidence of recalls and complaints makes it the more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota 4RUNNER has 43 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota 4RUNNER scores 11 points higher in reliability
- 3Toyota 4RUNNER has 6.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota 4RUNNER |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 80/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 60 | 17 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8 | 1.5 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $515/yr | $514/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 10% | 13% |
| Year Wins | 0 | 8 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Santa-FE and Toyota 4RUNNER?
The Toyota 4RUNNER exhibits a relatively balanced distribution of complaints, with notable issues in steering, service brakes, and unknown or other categories, each having a single crash-linked incident. The air bags, however, stand out with 24 complaints, 20 of which are crash-linked, indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the Hyundai Santa-FE has a significantly higher total number of complaints, with the engine and power train being the most problematic areas, the latter having nine crash-linked incidents. The Santa-FE also faces substantial issues in the unknown or other category, with 12 crash-linked complaints, suggesting a broader range of reliability challenges compared to the 4RUNNER.
| Component | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota 4RUNNER |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.3Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —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 Toyota 4RUNNER?
How Does Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota 4RUNNER Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota 4RUNNER | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1006R / 109C | 81/1001R / 36C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2024 | 73/1009R / 109C | 79/1001R / 8C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2023 | 70/1004R / 244C | 82/1001R / 28C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2022 | 66/10014R / 223C | 79/1003R / 36C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2021 | 69/10010R / 165C | 82/1001R / 31C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2020 | 70/1002R / 165C | 82/1001R / 30C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2019 | 69/1003R / 201C | 77/1004R / 61C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2018 | 63/1007R / 489C | 77/1005R / 56C | Toyota 4RUNNER |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | Toyota 4RUNNER |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Santa-FE scored 75/100 and the 2023 Toyota 4RUNNER scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Santa-FE vs the Toyota 4RUNNER?
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Santa-FE more reliable than the Toyota 4RUNNER?
- Based on our data, the Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Santa-FE or the Toyota 4RUNNER?
- The Hyundai Santa-FE has more recalls (60) compared to the Toyota 4RUNNER (17). 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 Toyota 4RUNNER?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota 4RUNNER has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 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 Toyota 4RUNNER?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota 4RUNNER is cheaper to maintain at $514/year versus $515/year for the Hyundai Santa-FE.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Hyundai Santa-FE and Toyota 4RUNNER? 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