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 211 complaints per year over 6 years, with 721 engine complaints, while the F-150 averaged 1,131 per year over 10 years, led by 3,553 power train issues. The F-150 has more recalls (145 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 midsize SUV that, based on owner complaints, can be demanding to own. Over six years, it averaged 211 complaints per year, with the vast majority about engine failures—often sudden and leaving drivers stranded. Brake and hydraulic issues also appear, and some recalls for those parts had delays in repair availability. This suggests a vehicle where major mechanical problems are a real risk.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—over 1,100 per year—but that's partly because so many are on the road. The most common trouble spots are the transmission and electrical system, with reports of hard shifting, loss of power, and warning lights. Recalls are frequent, covering lights, batteries, and engines. Overall, it's a complex truck that can develop a range of issues, especially in the drivetrain and electronics.
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 | 1,267 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 22 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 211.2 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 22 Better | 287 |
| 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
- 01ENGINE721
- 02SERVICE BRAKES225
- 03HYDRAULIC157
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER140
- 05POWER TRAIN98
Owners report sudden engine failure, sometimes multiple times, often due to a bearing defect. This can happen without warning, leaving you stuck in traffic or on the highway, and may not be covered by an active recall.
Complaints include brake warning lights and issues with the hydraulic control unit. Some owners received recall notices but couldn't get the repair done for months, meaning the problem persisted.
The ABS warning light may come on while driving, and owners have been told about technical service bulletins. This can affect braking performance and safety, especially in emergencies.
Some engine failures are reported under this category, often tied to bearing defects and prior recalls. It highlights that not all serious issues are neatly classified, so a thorough inspection is key.
“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 TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a frequent source of complaints: hard or delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power. This can be dangerous if it happens in traffic and may require costly repairs.
Owners report warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs from the transmission area. These electrical glitches can disable safety features and are often hard to diagnose.
This catch-all includes various issues, sometimes related to the transmission or engine. It suggests that problems can be intermittent and not easily categorized, making them tricky to reproduce during a test drive.
Headlight problems are common enough to be a top complaint category. Recalls exist for headlights, so check if they've been addressed, as poor lighting affects nighttime safety.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
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 211) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Santa FE's issues are heavily concentrated in engine failures, which can be catastrophic. The F-150's problems are more spread out across transmission, electrical, and lighting systems. In practice, the Santa FE may have fewer total problems, but when they occur, they tend to be more severe.
Key differences
- The Santa FE Sport's complaints are dominated by engine failures (721 out of 1,267), often sudden and dangerous, while the F-150's top issue is the transmission (3,553 out of 11,311), with hard shifting and power loss.
- The F-150 has many more recalls (145 vs. 22) and crash-related complaints (328 vs. 22), but it also sells in much higher numbers, so rates per vehicle may be closer.
- Brake and hydraulic problems are notable on the Santa FE Sport, with recall parts sometimes unavailable, whereas the F-150's electrical and lighting issues are more common.
- The Santa FE Sport has 0 deaths reported in the data, while the F-150 has 1 death, but these numbers are raw counts and don't account for vehicle population.
- Check for any signs of engine trouble: listen for knocking, check oil levels, and ask for service records related to engine replacements or bearing defects.
- Test the brakes thoroughly and look for ABS warning lights; confirm that any open recalls for brakes or hydraulic units have been repaired.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission behavior: look for hard shifts, jerking, or delayed engagement, especially between gears 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8.
- Check for electrical gremlins: start the truck and see if any warning messages appear (like camera or pre-collision assist), and test all lights, including headlights.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been completed, especially engine and brake recalls for the Santa FE Sport and transmission/electrical recalls for the F-150.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the known trouble areas: engine and brakes for the Santa FE Sport; transmission and electrical system for the F-150.
- During the test drive, simulate various driving conditions: for the Santa FE Sport, include braking and highway acceleration; for the F-150, include gear changes and use of electronic features.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and oil change history on the Santa FE Sport.
- Check for any outstanding recalls by using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool and ensure they are addressed before purchase.
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 | 415 | 56 |
| 2017 | 346 | 43 |
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
- 1,267
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport total recalls
- 22
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport avg complaints/year
- 211.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport
- Hyundai Santa FE Sport top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN