2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#4 most-complained of 4 Santa Cruz years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz ranks Best among the 4 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 and 19 complaints logged. It carries 3 recalls, including one for collision avoidance camera software and one for improperly installed side curtain airbags.
- Complaints
- 19
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
Top 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (53%)
- Electrical System5 (26%)
- Brakes2 (11%)
- Other2 (11%)
- Engine1 (5%)
- Fuel System1 (5%)
- Lane Departure1 (5%)
What owners report
- Forward collision-avoidance system brakes unexpectedly when another vehicle merges, turns, or slows at a light with no real hazard present.
- Driver attention monitoring camera cuts off Smart Cruise Control about 6 seconds after the driver puts on sunglasses.
- Owners report the vehicle slamming on the brakes when leaving a parking garage, forcing them to disable the feature every time they start the car.
- Dashboard warns that the Driver Assistance System is not working properly after 20 to 30 minutes of driving even with clean sensors.
- Fuel gauge sensor failed and showed a full tank regardless of actual fuel level.
- Headlights and instrument lights went dark for about 1.5 seconds while driving 55 mph at night, then came back on.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V316000May 18, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras423,062 vehicles
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.
Risk: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 302. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 20, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V809000Nov 20, 2025Airbags258 vehicles
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.
Risk: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
- NHTSA 24V877000Nov 20, 2024Electrical System42,465 vehicles
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.
Risk: A transmission that can shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 273.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,825
- 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.
2025 compared with other Santa Cruz years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 model year has a complaint index of 0 and ranks as the Best of the 4 Santa Cruz model years tracked, with 19 total complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2025 Santa Cruz?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues make up 53% of complaints, with 10 reports and a median failure mileage of 2,000 miles, mostly about the forward collision system braking unnecessarily.
- Does the 2025 Santa Cruz have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: front camera software affecting forward collision avoidance, improperly installed side curtain airbags, and console wiring that could let the transmission be shifted out of Park without the brake applied.
- How does the 2025 Santa Cruz compare to other years?
- The 2022 Santa Cruz has a complaint index of 100 and is rated Avoid, 2023 sits at 67 and is rated Caution, and 2024 sits at 33 and is rated Good, making 2025 the best-ranked year with an index of 0.
- How is fuel economy on the 2025 Santa Cruz?
- EPA rates the 2025 Santa Cruz at 23 mpg combined, 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,825.