Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | −68% | 3 | Transmission | Good |
| 2025 | 21 | −59% | 3 | Collision Avoidance | Good |
| 2024 | 35 | −65% | 1 | Transmission | Good |
| 2023 | 79 | — | 2 | Transmission | Limited data |
| 2022 | 185 | — | 4 | Transmission | Limited data |
* Complaints compared with the median Santa Cruz year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Hyundai Santa Cruz problems
Latest Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls
Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Remedy: Dealers will update the front camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Electrical system › Wiring
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The console extension wiring assembly may be routed improperly, allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal.
Remedy: Owners are advised to use the parking brake when parking the vehicle. Dealers will reroute the console extension wiring assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024.
Steering › Electric power assist system
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Hyundai Santa Cruz should you avoid?
None of the Hyundai Santa Cruz years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
2024 has the fewest complaints compared with other Santa Cruz years at the same age, followed by 2025. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (128), engine & cooling (79) and electrical system (41). Transmission complaints peak in the 2022 model year.
How many recalls has the Hyundai Santa Cruz had?
9 recalls across 2022–2026. The model year with the most is 2022. See all Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.