Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Santa-FE
Toyota Highlander
Choosing between the Hyundai Santa-FE and the Toyota 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 Highlander currently leads with an average score of 72/100 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 Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE, scoring 72/100 vs 69/100.
The Toyota Highlander edges out the Hyundai Santa-Fe in reliability with an average score of 84/100 compared to 79/100. While both vehicles have similar recall numbers, the Highlander has a lower owner complaint rate of 5.8 per 10,000 sold versus the Santa-Fe’s 8. Additionally, the Highlander benefits from slightly lower estimated annual repair costs at $489 compared to the Santa-Fe's $515. Both vehicles share common issues with power train and service brakes, but the Highlander’s overall reliability metrics make it a more dependable choice in the midsize SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Highlander costs $26 less per year to repair
- 2Hyundai Santa-FE has 6 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Highlander scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 72/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 60 | 66 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8 | 5.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $515/yr | $489/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 10% | 13% |
| Year Wins | 1 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Santa-FE and Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Santa Fe present distinct problem profiles based on complaint data. The Highlander shows a higher concern with air bags, registering 162 complaints with 41 linked to crashes, a notable safety issue compared to the Santa Fe. Conversely, the Santa Fe has a significant number of engine complaints, totaling 321, though none are crash-linked, indicating potential reliability issues in this area. Both models exhibit concerns with the power train, but the Highlander slightly exceeds in complaints, while the Santa Fe shows a higher incidence of unknown or other issues linked to crashes, suggesting a broader range of operational concerns.
| Component | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1.3Low | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 0.7Very Low |
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —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 Highlander?
How Does Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Santa-FE | Toyota Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1006R / 109C | 76/1008R / 40C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2024 | 73/1009R / 109C | 67/10016R / 198C | Hyundai Santa-FE |
| 2023 | 70/1004R / 244C | 73/10013R / 140C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2022 | 66/10014R / 223C | 74/1007R / 186C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2021 | 69/10010R / 165C | 70/1006R / 403C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2020 | 70/1002R / 165C | 71/1008R / 269C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2019 | 69/1003R / 201C | 70/1003R / 414C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2018 | 63/1007R / 489C | 72/1005R / 242C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Hyundai Santa-FE |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Santa-FE scored 75/100 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Santa-FE vs the Toyota Highlander?
Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Santa-FE more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Santa-FE or the Toyota Highlander?
- The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) 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 Toyota Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Hyundai Santa-FE. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Hyundai Santa-FE or the Toyota Highlander?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $515/year for the Hyundai Santa-FE.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Hyundai Santa-FE 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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