Hyundai Santa Cruz problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 323 owner complaints and 9 recalls on file for the Hyundai Santa Cruz (2022–2026). The 2022 Santa Cruz has the most serious complaints, most often about transmission & drivetrain.

Complaints
323
Recalls
9
Model years
5
Worst year
2022

Complaints by model year

185202279202335202419202552026
NHTSA complaints per Hyundai Santa Cruz model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Hyundai Santa Cruz years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz — 185 complaints, 5 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  2. 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz — 79 complaints, 2 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  3. 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz — 35 complaints, 3 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2023 (79 complaints).

Every Hyundai Santa Cruz model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 Santa Cruz50003Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2025 Santa Cruz191103Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 Santa Cruz353031Transmission & Drivetrain
2023 Santa Cruz792312Transmission & Drivetrain
2022 Santa Cruz1855154Transmission & Drivetrain

Most common Hyundai Santa Cruz problem areas (all years)

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    128 complaints
  • Engine
    78 complaints
  • Electrical System
    41 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    35 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    34 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    30 complaints
  • Lighting
    17 complaints
  • Brakes
    12 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    11 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    8 complaints

Complaint trend

20222023202420252026
Complaints about the Hyundai Santa Cruz received by NHTSA each month.

Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls

  • Recall 26V316000May 18, 2026423,062 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V047000Jan 26, 202641,651 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V809000Nov 20, 2025258 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026

    Risk: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

  • Recall 24V877000Nov 20, 202442,465 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: A transmission that can shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V412000Jun 5, 2024795 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V181000Mar 17, 2023584,784 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 23V038000Jan 31, 202316,104 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V746000Oct 6, 202256,148 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V197000Mar 28, 202216 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Other Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology