2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 79
Recalls: 2
Crashes: 2
Fires: 3
Injuries: 1
Median mileage: 5,500 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 25 of 79 complaints (32%).
Engine (20) and electrical system (14) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 5,500 mi.
Owners reported 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury.
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 2 recalls on file.
It ranks 2nd of 5 Hyundai Santa Cruz model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 57% fewer complaints than the 2022 model year (185).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Power train	25
Engine	20
Electrical system	14
Unknown or other	10
Fuel/propulsion system	6
Service brakes	5
Vehicle speed control	5
Exterior lighting	4

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints that list mileage.

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls (2)

Recall 23V181000Mar 17, 2023584,784 vehiclesPark outside
TRAILER HITCHES
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
Recall 23V038000Jan 31, 202316,104 vehicles
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
Risk: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 241.

Recent 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Sep 14, 2026NYSuspension
Unknown. I have had a clunking in the rear and have come across a TSB TSB 25-SS-003H. Seems like a safety issue. Rear shocks could be defective.
NHTSA complaint #11764066 · source
Filed Sep 9, 2026TXElectrical System
The push-to-open fuel filler door repeatedly failed to release, preventing refueling. The door locks through an electronic actuator tied to the central locking system, and there is no interior lever or owner-accessible manual override. Beginning in August 2026, the door intermittently failed to open when pushed with the vehicle off and all doors unlocked. Cycling lock/unlock on the key fob while pressing the door sometimes freed it after several minutes; other times it would…
NHTSA complaint #11763194 · source
Filed Jul 27, 2026FLElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
my 2023 Santa Cruz had 7500 miles when purchased 4/25/26. I have had issues with the screen blackening/fading which cuts of electronics; ex; safety features. This was taken in twice. Then the truck loses power. Going 55 or 75, suddenly truck drops to 20mph. Car's honk, brake & swerve not to hit us. It has been at dealers three times now for same issue. Since I've owned vehicle, it has been at dealer for 29 days tomorrow and it is still there. The truck is a death trap,…
NHTSA complaint #11753189 · source
Filed Jul 10, 2026FLEngine
driving/pulling on interstate speed only went to 20 miles per hour, no more. Pulled off and turned truck off, waited and restarted. all fine. No warning was given. Short time later engine light came on. Called and got appointment at dealers.
NHTSA complaint #11749495 · source
Filed Jul 10, 2026FLElectrical System
truck dash light would fade/blacken at which time none of safety features would work. This is an intermittent problem but seem like it has happened many times with the Santa Cruz's in general, so Hyundai was aware of problem. They don't seem to fix problems. This is a critical safety failure. No warning just happens. Had it happen to my truck about 7 times. When screen blackens, I have no safety features, can't see anything on dash, so I could get in a wreck
NHTSA complaint #11749492 · source
Filed Apr 26, 2026SDCrashTowedBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Sudden Unintended Acceleration: Coming to a stop in a driveway and planning to put vehicle in to reverse, the Santa Cruz suddenly accelerated and kept accelerating ... it would not stop moving, brakes were applied continuously and forcefully, but with no effect. Vehicle crashed through shrubbery and small trees into neighbor's yard, over a retaining wall and finally crashing into neighbors parked classic car, only stopping after it nose-dived downward. We live in Rapid City,…
NHTSA complaint #11733854 · source
Filed Feb 22, 2026IAEngine
oil leak the oil leak has be too the dealer twice for repair each time they said it was fixed it has now has happend again for the third time in less than 306 miles could cause engine failure at highway speed and engine lockup at such speed first time it was found by dealer after third oil change approx. 15000 miles second 12000 miles later and now 306 miles latter with this time the leak was larger to to the fact that it triggerd the low oil light first two times it told to…
NHTSA complaint #11719745 · source
Filed Jan 28, 2026NYElectrical SystemLighting
At least two separate wiring harnesses have failed on my vehicle, affecting the tail lights. My vehicle cannot pass New York State safety inspection because of this issue. Safety of myself and other drivers is at risk, especially at night, since my vehicle is not properly illuminated. Occasionally, one tail light will go out or flicker. I had one trailer harness removed under a safety recall, but I don't recall the dealership ever replacing it. Then, a couple of years later,…
NHTSA complaint #11714053 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology