Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Santa FE Sport vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai Santa FE Sport and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport vs FORD F 150: The Santa Fe Sport averaged 214 complaints per year with 732 engine complaints, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with 3,648 power train complaints. The F-150 has more recalls (151 vs. 22). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Santa FE Sport or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Santa FE Sport
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is a compact SUV that, based on owner complaints, demands careful attention to engine health. Over six years, it averaged about 214 complaints per year, with the majority (732) concerning the engine. Many owners report sudden engine failure, sometimes multiple times, often linked to bearing defects. Brake issues, including ABS warning lights and hydraulic problems, are also common. While it has fewer complaints per year than the Ford F-150, the severity of engine failures makes it a high-risk choice unless properly maintained.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—averaging about 1,162 per year over ten years. Power train issues dominate, with 3,648 complaints, often involving transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures. Electrical system complaints (2,100) include serious issues like rear window defroster shorts causing windows to shatter. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, the F-150 requires diligent recall checks and pre-purchase inspections. It's a capable truck but one with a long history of recurring problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Santa FE Sport | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,283 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 23 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 213.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 23 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Hyundai Santa FE Sport
- 01ENGINE732
- 02SERVICE BRAKES225
- 03HYDRAULIC157
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER143
- 05POWER TRAIN99
Owners frequently report sudden engine failure, sometimes while driving, due to bearing defects. Some have experienced multiple failures, leaving them stranded. This is the most common complaint and a major safety concern.
Complaints include ABS warning lights illuminating and brake pedal issues that trigger engine and oil lights. These can indicate hydraulic control unit problems, affecting braking reliability.
Hydraulic brake system issues, often tied to ABS control module failures, are reported. Owners may notice warning lights or reduced braking performance, requiring costly repairs.
Some complaints reference engine failure due to bearing defects and lack of recall notification, as well as engine fires. These vague reports often overlap with known engine problems.
“September 3rd, 2025, my engine failed, for the second time and left me stuck at a busy intersection, in the middle lane and can't move. The first time my engine failed (2022/same vehicle), I was about the get on the highway and it just stopped in the middle o…”
“Subject: Engine Failure Due to Bearing Defect – No KSDS Recall Notification Vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport VIN: [XXX] Date of Purchase: April 2016 Complaint Summary: I am filing this complaint regarding my 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, which experienced…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Transmission problems are rampant, including limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures. Owners report near-collisions and recurring issues even after repairs, making reliability a major concern.
Electrical gremlins include lead frame issues affecting transmission and rear window defroster shorts that can cause the rear window to shatter. These faults can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
Complaints range from window explosions to various unexplained failures. Many are serious and may not be covered by recalls, leaving owners to foot the bill.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are common. These can include malfunctioning headlights or taillights, affecting visibility and safety, and may be tied to electrical problems.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Hyundai Santa FE Sport — 22 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
The risk: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
The risk: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
The risk: An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notificat…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
The risk: If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. No…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Hyundai Santa FE Sport or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has far fewer complaints per year (about 214) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162). However, the Santa Fe Sport's complaints are heavily concentrated in engine failures, which can be catastrophic. The F-150's issues are more widespread, including power train and electrical problems. In practice, the Santa Fe Sport may have fewer overall problems, but the ones it has can be severe and costly.
Key differences
- The Santa Fe Sport's top complaint is engine failure (732 complaints), often sudden and recurring, while the F-150's top issue is power train (3,648 complaints), mainly transmission problems.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint rate per year (1,162 vs. 214) and more recalls (151 vs. 22), indicating more frequent visits to the shop.
- Electrical issues in the F-150 include dangerous rear window shattering, whereas the Santa Fe Sport's electrical complaints are less prominent.
- The Santa Fe Sport has 0 deaths reported in complaints, while the F-150 has 1 death, though both have crash-related and injury complaints.
- Check for any signs of engine knocking, oil consumption, or previous engine replacements; ask for service records related to bearing defects or recalls.
- Test the brakes thoroughly and look for ABS warning lights; inspect hydraulic control unit for leaks or malfunctions.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for transmission shudder, limp mode, or stuck gears; scan for diagnostic trouble codes like P0722.
- Inspect rear window defroster operation and look for any signs of electrical shorts or previous window replacement.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall website to check for open recalls, especially engine and brake recalls for the Santa Fe Sport and power train/electrical recalls for the F-150.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on engine compression for the Santa Fe Sport and transmission function for the F-150.
- Ask for complete maintenance records, particularly for engine repairs or transmission services.
- Test drive under various conditions: highway, stop-and-go, and braking, to replicate reported failure scenarios.
- Check for extended warranties or service campaigns that may cover known issues like engine bearing defects or lead frame failures.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Hyundai Santa FE Sport | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 417 | 79 |
| 2017 | 352 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Hyundai Santa FE Sport or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport total complaints
- 1,283
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport total recalls
- 22
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport avg complaints/year
- 213.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN