Hyundai

Santa Cruz (1st)

2022-2025 · Compact Truck · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.7)
289 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
9 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

GDI THETA III

2.5L 4-cyl / 191 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.7)
104 complaints 26.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
35
transmission
31
other
18
fuel system
17
electrical
15

Known Issues

Engine Issues (35 complaints)
Transmission Issues (31 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (17 complaints)

T-GDI THETA III

2.5L 4-cyl Turbo / 281 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.1)
183 complaints 45.8 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
87
engine
37
other
25
safety systems
24
electrical
20

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (87 complaints)
Engine Issues (37 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (24 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hyundai Santa Cruz regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (118 complaints)
transmission critical
Engine Issues (72 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (35 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (28 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Safety Systems Issues (24 complaints)
safety_systems serious

Alternatives in Compact Truck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?

The 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has accumulated 289 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Engine, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Hyundai Santa Cruz engine is most reliable?

The 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good used car?

The 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 289 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?

The 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 289 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Before buying a used Hyundai Santa Cruz, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Engine, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Santa Cruz have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 289 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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