Problems · NHTSA complaints

2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems

Owners filed 36 complaints about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz with NHTSA between Nov 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (11).

Complaints
36
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train11
  2. Engine6
  3. Vehicle speed control5
  4. Fuel/propulsion system4
  5. Service brakes3
  6. Lane departure3
  7. Seat belts2
  8. Electrical system2
  9. Forward collision avoidance2
  10. Back over prevention2
  11. Steering2
  12. Air bags2
  13. Suspension1
  14. Equipment1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20231
202417
20259
20269

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

11 reports1 crash
“WHILE DRIVING ON I-81 UP A STEEP GRADE, TRUCK SUFFERED A SUDDEN POWER LOSS, WITH SPEED DROPPING TO 35 MPH FROM 65 MPH. ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN SPEED FAILED AND IT FELT LIKE TRUCK DOWNSHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. 35 MPH CONTINUED UNTIL I DECIDED TO USE TRUCK CRUISE CONTROL TO ATTEMPT TO GAIN SPEED. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT TRACTOR TRAILERS HITTING ME DUE TO LOW SPEED. FINALLY GOT VEHICLE TO 65 MPH BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 65 MPH. RODE THAT WAY FOR 100 MILES ( TRIP HOME WAS ~ 200 MILES) FINALLY IN LIGHTER TRAFFIC WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE, I TRIED TO USE GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED.AND IT WORKED. RODE THE LAST 100 MILES NORMALLY. I WAS AT GREAT RISK WHEN TRUCK WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 35 MPH. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT VEHICLE SUFFERED IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS.. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOISE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAD NO WARNING LAMPS TO WARN ME IN BOTH INSTANCES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11733735

Engine

6 reports
“Upon starting the vehicle is doesn't act normal and when placed In drive it feels like brakes are applied and it doesn't want to hardly move even when pressing the throttle all the way down. This has also happens a couple times when at a stop and have to pull over and turn the vehicle off and restart. My so. Drives this vehicle and I feel this is a huge safety concern if he is able to get the vehicle moving and can get to a safe spot to shutdown and restart.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11698674

Vehicle speed control

5 reports
“Contact owns 2024 Honda Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving 45 mph on the highway vehicle wasn't responding while accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated there was no warning lights on vehicle before incident happen and that contact had to turn off and on the vehicle to make it function. correctly. The contact was able to contact dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated this has been a recurring event on vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2026Vehicle speed controlODI 11741927

Fuel/propulsion system

4 reports
“Very strong fuel smell coming from parked vehicle after filling the Gas Tank. After driving 40 miles to remove approximately 1/4 of a the Tank, fumes are gone. 1/06/2026: Took Truck to closest Dealership. Burlington Hyundai Nj and they had it for 3 days. (The Tank was not Full) and they didn't find anything wrong. They still have not given me any documents on what the checked. They said I would get it by E-Mail. I purchased the vehicle from Hyundai of Trenton Nj and they are not getting back to me on when I can bring it in. I can not park in or even near my garage.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11712036

Service brakes

3 reports
“I’m concerned about the power brakes I’ve received these faults a few times. DTC DTC System DTC Sub System C184987 CHASSIS LKAS Also there are reports online that other owners have experienced this issue with their Santa Cruz’s Some reporting dealers lack of concern. Diagnostics History My vehicle Last Reported Original Date Mileage Status DTC DTC System DTC Sub System 02/23/26 02/20/26 572 C184987 CHASSIS LKAS This refers to the vacuum pump that controls the power brakes. When applied the brake pedal becomes firm. When this code is triggered, your vehicle will likely illuminate warning lights on your dashboard, such as the ABS and ESC warning lights. You might experience a change in how the brake pedal feels or a temporary deactivation of cruise control or stability features. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C184987 is a chassis-specific trouble code that typically points to a fault in the vehicle's braking or stability control system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Lane departureODI 11751347

Lane departure

3 reports
“My issue is that the lane keeping system was much too sensitive. I would be riding at highway speeds and the car would pull suddenly to the right or left. This was an intermittent problem but when I took it in wanting an adjustment to the system to make it less sensitive, I was told that they were unable to address the system-not allowed to make any adjustments, which I found to be strange. I asked to speak to the service manager and waited to speak with him. The service advisor came back to me, gave me my keys and said it was now fixed. I asked what they did and was told that they disabled it and offered NO PAPERWORK. I reached out to Hyundai corporate and was told that they don't get involved with customer issues with their dealers. They told me to work it out with the dealership. Is that how safety issues are supposed to be handled?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2026Lane departureODI 11735543
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.