Santa Cruz (1st)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
GDI THETA III
2.5L 4-cyl / 191 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
T-GDI THETA III
2.5L 4-cyl Turbo / 281 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
Hyundai Santa Cruz Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Hyundai Santa Cruz regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (7)
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.
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.
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
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, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Hyundai Santa Cruz engine is most reliable?
The 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz was offered with 3 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 sound used car 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 7 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.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Santa Cruz?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 289 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.