Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Santa-FE
Toyota Grand Highlander
Choosing between the Hyundai Santa-FE and the Toyota Grand Highlander? 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 Grand Highlander currently leads with an average score of 75/100 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 Grand Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE, scoring 75/100 vs 69/100.
The Toyota Grand Highlander exhibits a higher average reliability score of 85/100 compared to the Hyundai Santa Fe's score of 79/100, indicating a marginally superior performance in reliability metrics. Despite having fewer recalls over a shorter period, the Grand Highlander also has a slightly higher owner complaint rate of 8.2 per 10,000 units versus the Santa Fe's 8. In terms of repair costs, the Santa Fe is more transparent with an estimated annual expense of $515. Both vehicles share common issues in power train and electrical systems, but the Grand Highlander also faces notable concerns with air bags and fuel systems, which could influence long-term reliability perceptions.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Grand Highlander has 50 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Grand Highlander scores 6 points higher in reliability
- 3Hyundai Santa-FE has 0.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 60 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8 | 8.2 |
| Year Wins | 1 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Santa-FE and Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Toyota Grand Highlander and Hyundai Santa-FE display distinct problem profiles, with the latter experiencing a significantly higher number of complaints overall. The Hyundai Santa-FE's most prominent issues reside in the engine and power train categories, with 321 and 269 complaints respectively, and a concerning number of crash-linked incidents, particularly in the power train with nine reported crashes. In contrast, the Toyota Grand Highlander's complaints are more evenly distributed among categories, with the most prevalent being "unknown or other" at 42 complaints, but no single category reaching the severity of Hyundai's engine issues. While both models have issues with the power train, the Hyundai Santa-FE's higher numbers and crash-linked incidents suggest a more severe risk in this area compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander.
| Component | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 1.7Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.3Low | 1.4Low |
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 1.1Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —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 Grand Highlander?
How Does Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Grand Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota Grand Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1006R / 109C | 80/1003R / 33C | Toyota Grand Highlander |
| 2024 | 73/1009R / 109C | 69/1007R / 171C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | Toyota Grand Highlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Santa-FE scored 75/100 and the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Santa-FE vs the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Santa-FE more reliable than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Santa-FE or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- The Hyundai Santa-FE has more recalls (60) compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander (10). 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 Grand Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Santa-FE has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus 8.2 for the Toyota Grand Highlander. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Hyundai Santa-FE comparisons
More Toyota Grand Highlander comparisons
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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