2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: common problems and reliability
Too new to grade yet.
19 owner complaints, most about forward collision avoidance. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2025 Santa Cruz?The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 19 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance and exterior lighting.
Safety record for the 2025 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vehicles (US, public record).
Too new to grade: we score a model year once it has been on the road for 3 years. How we score it
Is 2025 a good year for the Santa Cruz?
Across the 5 Santa Cruz model years we track, complaint volume runs from 79 (2023) to 184 (2022). With 19 complaints, the 2025 Santa Cruz sits below the model's median of 35.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2025 Santa Cruz
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 24V877000Hyundai 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.
air bags:side/window:curtain
Campaign 25V809000Hyundai 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.
forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Campaign 26V316000Hyundai 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear divide between appreciation for its concept and significant concerns about execution and value.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Santa Cruz. See the full Santa Cruz owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Santa Cruz listings typically run $21,844–$28,842.
Other Santa Cruz model years
Compare every Santa Cruz year side by side to see how 2025 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Santa Cruz against its rivals
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