Santa Cruz (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
T-GDI THETA III
2.5L 4-cyl Turbo / 281 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
GDI THETA III
2.5L 4-cyl / 191 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
Hyundai Santa Cruz Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Santa Cruz, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
On a used 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (126), the engine (78) and the electrical system (41). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 126 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz about the engine, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz about the electrical system.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 40 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 34 owner complaints on the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Recalls (8)
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.
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 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.
Show 3 older recalls
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact Truck
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints?
Owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the engine and the electrical system.
Is the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
NHTSA has 318 owner complaints on file for the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls covering some 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and 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. 318 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.