The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is associated with 17 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Forward Collision Avoidance, accounting for 6 reports (35% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 4 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.5l 4-cyl powertrain configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 21 to 25 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 17 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Forward Collision Avoidance (6 / 35%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 1 crash / 1 fire / 0 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 21–25 MPG (4 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Santa Cruz FWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Santa Cruz AWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| Santa Cruz AWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Santa Cruz XRT AWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| PU/CC FWD | | | | | 16.400000000000002% |
| PU/CC AWD | | | | | 16.400000000000002% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard & Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz models.
View complete 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems & component breakdown (10 categories) →
Affected Component: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →