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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2022–2026

Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 322 owner complaints for the Hyundai Santa Cruz, covering model years 2022 to 2026. The 2022 model year drew the most complaints (184), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Hyundai Santa Cruz VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 9 recall campaigns on file
  • 322 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (2022–2026)
  • most complaints: 2022 (184 for that model year)
  • top component: Power Train (128 complaints)
  • latest recall 26V316000 (reported May 18, 2026)
  • 11 complaints reporting a crash (3.4%)
  • 5 complaints reporting a fire (1.6%)
  • 7 complaints reporting an injury (2.2%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2022 model year has the most complaints: 184 of 322, or 57.1%. Next come 2023 (79) and 2024 (35). The fewest are for 2026, with 5 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Hyundai Santa Cruz owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2022–2026Column chart of 322 complaints across 5 model years. The highest is 2022 with 184. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2022: 184 complaints18420222023: 79 complaints7920232024: 35 complaints3520242025: 19 complaints1920252026: 5 complaints52026
Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
20221845140
2023792310
2024353020
2025191100
202650000
All model years32211570

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Hyundai Santa Cruz components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 128 complaints (39.8% of all 322), followed by Engine (77) and Electrical System (40).

Components named most often in Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Power Train12839.8%
Engine7723.9%
Unknown or Other5216.1%
Electrical System4012.4%
Fuel/Propulsion System329.9%
Vehicle Speed Control309.3%
Forward Collision Avoidance268.1%
Exterior Lighting175.3%
Service Brakes123.7%
Lane Departure113.4%
Air Bags72.2%
Visibility/Wiper61.9%
Structure51.6%
Trailer Hitches51.6%
Steering41.2%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls

9 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Santa Cruz, newest first. The 9 campaigns cover model years 2022 to 2026. The 2022 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 9 recall campaigns
  • 1 “Park Outside” advisory
Hyundai Santa Cruz recall campaigns covering each model year
2022: 4 campaigns2023: 2 campaigns2024: 1 campaign2025: 3 campaigns2026: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 26V316000

    Reported

    Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking

    Model years 2025–2026

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  2. NHTSA campaign 26V047000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Model year 2026

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

    Consequence:
    An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  3. NHTSA campaign 25V809000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain

    Model years 2025–2026

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  4. NHTSA campaign 24V877000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Wiring

    Model year 2025

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  5. NHTSA campaign 24V412000

    Reported

    Steering › Electric Power Assist System

    Model year 2024

    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.

    Consequence:
    A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 261.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  6. NHTSA campaign 23V181000

    Reported

    Trailer Hitches

    Model years 2022–2023

    NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  7. NHTSA campaign 23V038000

    Reported

    Structure › Critical Fasteners; Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars

    Model years 2022–2023

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  8. NHTSA campaign 22V746000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model year 2022

    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.

    Consequence:
    Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

  9. NHTSA campaign 22V197000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Oil/Lubrication › Pipes, Hoses, and Fittings; Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger

    Model year 2022

    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.

    Consequence:
    An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.

    Filed by Hyundai Motor America

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Hyundai Santa Cruz questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Cruz have?

NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recall campaigns for the Hyundai Santa Cruz, covering model years 2022 to 2026. The most recent, 26V316000, was reported on May 18, 2026 and is filed under “Forward collision avoidance”. The 2022 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Hyundai Santa Cruz model year has the most complaints?

The 2022 model year, with 184 of the 322 complaints in NHTSA’s file (57.1%). The next are 2023 (79) and 2024 (35). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Hyundai Santa Cruz complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 128 complaints, or 39.8% of all 322. Engine (77) and Electrical System (40) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Hyundai dealer.

How many Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 322 complaints, 11 report a crash, 5 a fire, 7 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Hyundai models

8 models · most complaints first

The Hyundai models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Hyundai VIN decoder with every Hyundai model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Hyundai models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.