YearToAvoid

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#2 most-complained of 4 Santa Cruz years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 2nd worst of 4 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 79 complaints, 2 recalls, 3 fires, and 2 crashes, with Transmission & Powertrain issues as the top problem area at a median 4,000 miles.

Complaints
79
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 3
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
21 city / 26 hwy

Top 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain25 (32%)
  2. Engine24 (30%)
  3. Electrical System17 (22%)
  4. Other10 (13%)
  5. Fuel System7 (9%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (8%)
  7. Structure & Body6 (8%)
  8. Brakes5 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
  10. Airbags2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of power and shuddering during acceleration, sometimes triggering a transmission control unit error code.
  • Some vehicles hesitate or fail to accelerate above 30-40 mph before returning to normal after a restart.
  • A garage fire was reported to have started from the parked vehicle during wet, windy weather.
  • One owner reported the vehicle catching fire from the rear driver's side quarter panel with no warning lights, at 18,000 miles.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a low-speed parking lot crash into a pole, resulting in injury.
  • Electrical faults have disabled audio alerts for lane departure, collision, and blind-spot warnings shortly after purchase.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints: complaints filed per month10Oct 2022Mar 2023Aug 2023Jan 2024Jul 2024Jan 2025Sep 2025Apr 2026
108 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2023 (10).

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V181000Mar 17, 2023Structure & Body584,784 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.

  2. NHTSA 23V038000Jan 31, 2023Structure & Body16,104 vehicles

    Structure:body:roof and pillars

    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.

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2023 compared with other Santa Cruz years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2022Avoid100184423
2023Caution6779223
2024Good3335123
2025Best019323

All Hyundai Santa Cruz years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Santa Cruz has a Complaint Index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 2nd worst among the 4 model years with data.
What is the biggest problem with the 2023 Santa Cruz?
Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 32% of complaints (25 of 79), with a median failure mileage of 4,000 miles.
Are there recalls on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a tow hitch harness fire risk requiring owners to park outside, and one for roof moldings that may detach. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2023 Santa Cruz compare to other years?
The 2022 Santa Cruz has a Complaint Index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, while 2024 (33) and 2025 (0) score better, making 2023 the second-worst year among the 4 with data.
Has the 2023 Santa Cruz caught fire?
NHTSA complaints report 3 fire incidents for the 2023 Santa Cruz, including one from a parked vehicle and one from the rear quarter panel at 18,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.