Last updated: 2026-03-04

Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Venza: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Santa-FE reliability comparison

Hyundai Santa-FE

69
GoodReliability score: 69 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableToyota Venza reliability comparison

Toyota Venza

80
ExcellentReliability score: 80 out of 100, rated Excellent

Choosing between the Hyundai Santa-FE and the Toyota Venza? 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 Venza 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 Venza Generations Compare?

The Hyundai Santa Fe is currently in its fifth generation (MX5), which began in 2024. This places it early in its generation cycle, where first-year issues might arise as the platform matures. The previous fourth generation (TM) received a facelift in 2021, indicating a more settled design by the end of its cycle. In contrast, the Toyota Venza is in its second generation (XU80), introduced in 2021, and has undergone facelifts in 2023 and 2024. Being mid-cycle, the Venza's platform is likely more refined, with earlier bugs addressed. Generally, mature platforms like the Venza's tend to offer better reliability, while newer platforms like the Santa Fe's might need time to achieve similar reliability.

Verdict

The Toyota Venza is more reliable than the Hyundai Santa-FE, scoring 80/100 vs 69/100.

The Toyota Venza clearly outperforms the Hyundai Santa-FE in terms of reliability, with a significantly higher average reliability score of 91/100 compared to the Santa-FE's 79/100. The Venza also has a much lower owner complaint rate of 0.2 per 10,000 sold, whereas the Santa-FE reports 8 complaints per 10,000 units. Additionally, the Venza's recall history is minimal with only 5 recalls over 4 years, compared to the Santa-FE's 60 recalls over 9 years. With lower estimated annual repair costs and fewer common issues, the Venza is the more reliable choice in the midsize SUV segment.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Venza costs $71 less per year to repair
  2. 2Toyota Venza has 55 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Toyota Venza scores 11 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Hyundai Santa-FE
—
4Toyota Venza
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Venza: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Venza at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricHyundai Santa-FEToyota Venza
Reliability Score69/10080/100
Years Tracked94
Total Recalls605
Complaints per 10k Sold80.2
Annual Repair Cost$515/yr$444/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk10%10%
Year Wins04

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Santa-FE and Toyota Venza?

The Hyundai Santa-FE shows a higher volume of complaints across several categories, with prominent issues in the engine (321 complaints) and power train (269 complaints), the latter of which includes 9 crash-linked incidents. Additionally, the Santa-FE has significant concerns in the electrical system and service brakes, with 2 and 11 crash-linked complaints, respectively. In contrast, the Toyota Venza has a notably lower number of complaints, with only 9 total, primarily concerning exterior lighting and the fuel/propulsion system, and none linked to crashes. The Santa-FE's broader distribution of issues, particularly in safety-critical areas like the power train and service brakes, suggests a more complex problem profile compared to the Venza.

Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Venza common problem areas comparison
ComponentHyundai Santa-FEToyota Venza
ENGINE1.5Low—None
POWER TRAIN1.3Low—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.1Low—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.9Very Low—None
SERVICE BRAKES0.5Very Low—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.3Very Low—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.3Very Low—None
STEERING0.2Very Low—None
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very Low—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.1Very Low—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very 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 Venza?

The Hyundai Santa-FE incurs an annual repair cost of $515, compared to the Toyota Venza's $444. Over five years, this results in a $355 difference, favoring the Venza. However, the Santa-FE boasts a lower repair frequency at 0.2 visits per year versus the Venza's 0.5 visits, potentially translating to less inconvenience and time spent at the shop. Both vehicles share a 10% risk of major repairs, indicating similar long-term reliability. For cost-conscious buyers, the Toyota Venza offers better value in terms of lower annual repair expenses, despite its higher repair frequency. The choice depends on whether lower yearly costs or fewer repair visits are more important to the buyer.

How Does Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Venza Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Venza year-by-year reliability scores
YearHyundai Santa-FEToyota VenzaEdge
202473/1009R / 109C80/1002R / 0CToyota Venza
202370/1004R / 244C80/1002R / 0CToyota Venza
202266/10014R / 223C80/1000R / 2CToyota Venza
202169/10010R / 165C79/1001R / 7CToyota Venza

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Hyundai Santa-FE scored 73/100 and the 2024 Toyota Venza scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Santa-FE vs the Toyota Venza?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, consider the Toyota Venza. With a high reliability score of 91/100 and only 5 recalls, the Venza stands out as a dependable choice. It has an impressively low owner complaint rate of just 0.2 per 10,000 sold and an estimated annual repair cost of $444. Although it has a slightly higher repair frequency of 0.5 times per year, the types of issues reported, such as exterior lighting, are less critical compared to major systems. For those who are looking for a more budget-friendly option with a slightly lower upfront cost, the Hyundai Santa-FE could be a good fit. It has a reliability score of 79/100 and a marginally higher annual repair cost of $515. However, with a lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year, you might find fewer visits to the mechanic. Keep in mind the higher number of recalls and potential issues with critical systems like the engine and power train.

Hyundai Santa-FE vs Toyota Venza: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Santa-FE more reliable than the Toyota Venza?
Based on our data, the Toyota Venza 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 Venza?
The Hyundai Santa-FE has more recalls (60) compared to the Toyota Venza (5). 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 Venza?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Venza has a lower complaint rate at 0.2 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 Venza?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Venza is cheaper to maintain at $444/year versus $515/year for the Hyundai Santa-FE.

Related Reliability 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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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