What Hyundai Santa Cruz owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Hyundai Santa Cruz safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2025 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| 2024 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 31 |
| 2023 | 79 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 49 |
| 2022 | 185 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 65 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
I have had one Transmission and the tow hitch wiring harness replaced once from recalls. The tow hitch wiring harness is failing and all the warning lights are failing. The transmission is slipping upon takeoff and will rev at elevated RMS on the highway at times. When in reverse it will still move forward at times and on a hill it rolls back. The breaks have slammed on (for no reason) a couple of times while on the highway. It has also lost power. No check engine lights are on at this time. The warning lights for wiring harness are on at all times. I had it looked at last week and I had to pay $400.00 but they never drove it and said the wiring harness is no longer their responsibility.
While driving on a 170 mile trip at mostly high speed, when reducing speed near destination the engine suddenly shut off while traveling at 35 mph. Dashboard lights and alarms occurred indicating engine was off. Was able to safely bring the vehicle to a stop. Was very lucky this occurred in an area where I could bring the car safely to a stop. No indication of engine trouble or any alert lights proceeded the engine shut down. Was able to restart the car and safely reach destination. Was also able to do 170 mile return trip without incident. I reported this directly to Hyundai through their app. Scheduled appointment with dealer to check the vehicle. Inspection and diagnostics at Hyundai deal…
Making a left turn against oncoming traffic into a convenience store parking lot. There was a car in the driveway waiting to exit the convenience store parking lot. As I crossed the oncoming traffic lane the crash avoidance light on the dash came on and the brakes locked up nearly causing me to be broadsided by the oncoming traffic. An obvious malfunction of the crash avoidance system. I contacted the dealer and reported the issue. They advised my software was up to date and it was probably a ghost reading by the camera and software. No further action taken by the dealer.
Unknown. I have had a clunking in the rear and have come across a TSB TSB 25-SS-003H. Seems like a safety issue. Rear shocks could be defective.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving on I-95 and approaching a stopped vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed, and the automatic emergency braking system engaged. Upon depressing the accelerator pedal to accelerate when traffic started moving, the emergency braking light remained illuminated, and an alarm sounded even after the preceding vehicle drove away. The automatic emergency braking system failed to disengage, causing the vehicle to be rear-ended by an ambulance. The contact sustained body soreness from head to feet and whiplash but had not yet received medical treatment. The ambulance air bags deployed, and the ambulance was undrivable. The…
My INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT (ITM) module went bad in my 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. I notified Hyundai about it and found out there are several service bulletins related to this part. My truck was outside the bumper-to-bumper warranty, so I had to pay over $1000.00 to get it replaced. I think it's shitty that Hyundai knows there is an issue with part on 2022-2023 Santa Cruz's and aren't willing to cover it. On top of that, the ECU has to re-calibrated after the repair, which didn't allow me to replace the part myself.
The push-to-open fuel filler door repeatedly failed to release, preventing refueling. The door locks through an electronic actuator tied to the central locking system, and there is no interior lever or owner-accessible manual override. Beginning in August 2026, the door intermittently failed to open when pushed with the vehicle off and all doors unlocked. Cycling lock/unlock on the key fob while pressing the door sometimes freed it after several minutes; other times it would not open at all. No warning lamps or messages preceded the failures. A door that will not release means the vehicle cannot be refueled, which can strand the driver or cause a loss of motive power in traffic. Owners of o…
In approximately late 2024, at just under 30,000 miles, the vehicle lost motive power while driving on the interstate. Multiple warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost drive shortly afterward, leaving me unable to accelerate in traffic. The vehicle was then serviced under Recall 236 (NHTSA 22V-746) for the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission high-pressure oil pump. The remedy performed was a transmission control unit software update only; the transmission was not replaced. I do not have the exact dates and am reporting these as approximate. The vehicle now has approximately 99,700 miles. It has developed hesitation and dragging on drive-off within the first half mile of every trip and …
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Certain Tucson (NX4A) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may exhibit air bubbles forming on the surface of the dashboard (crash pad) due to poor adhesion caused by prolonged UV and heat exposure. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-01-074H provides instructions to inspect the dashboard (crash pad) for bubbling and, if necessary, to use needling and steel tamper tools to remove trapped air and repair the dashboard (crash pad) surface.
Certain Tucson (NX4A) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may exhibit air bubbles forming on the surface of the dashboard (crash pad) due to poor adhesion caused by prolonged UV and heat exposure. This bulletin provides instructions to inspect the dashboard (crash pad) for bubbling and, if necessary, to use needling and steel tamper tools to remove trapped air and repair the dashboard (crash pad) surface.
Certain 2022 â 2025 model year Santa Cruz and 2022 â 2025 model year Tucson vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the Wiper Motor Crank Arm Nut under these conditions has been extended to 10 years/100,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
Some Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may have a tonneau cover that does not latch or unlatch, does not retract properly, and/or has a v-gap that is present when closed. This may be due to a broken or missing clip on the underside of the tonneau cover. This bulletin provides instructions to inspect and, if necessary, repair the tonneau cover function using the Tonneau Cover Repair Kit or by replacing the tonneau handle and latch assembly.
Some Tucson (NX4A and NX4M) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the wiper motor crank arm nut under this condition to 10 years / 100,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever comes first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Follow the procedure in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-BD-007H to replace the wiper motor crank arm nut to address this condition.
Some Tucson (NX4A and NX4M) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the wiper motor crank arm nut under this condition to 10 years / 100,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever comes first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
Some Tucson (NX4A and NX4M) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the wiper motor crank arm nut under this condition to 10 years / 100,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever comes first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the wiper motor crank arm nut to address this condition.
This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT). The software update revises the touch point learning variation, improving drivability and judder symptoms. Some 8WDCTs (indicated by a new part number) received an updated clutch spring. The correct TCU software update must be matched with the correct corresponding 8WDCT hardware, otherwise, drivability concerns may occur. This service procedure should be performed prior to any 8WDCT replacements done for drivability/ju
This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. Refer to the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update Key Improvements and Additional Improvements tables in this TSB for a list of specific changes. The software can be downloaded via Navigation Updater (NAU) and updated by USB.
Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may exhibit a low idle or excessive vibration while in Drive or Reverse, or DTC P050600 (Idle Air Control System â RPM Lower than Expected) caused by the one-way clutch sprags being misaligned. This bulletin provides instructions to remove the automatic transmission and replace the torque converter.
Certain Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may experience Over-the-Air (OTA) update failures due to outdated Central Communication Unit (CCU) software. This bulletin provides instructions to perform a software update for the CCU.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driverâs-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2022–2026, owners most often name: power train, engine, unknown or other. 323 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
