Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2025 Hyundai Santa CruzRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (10) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
22
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking

Free remedy

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.

Forward collision avoidanceReported May 19, 2026NHTSA 26V316000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Nov 21, 2025NHTSA 25V809000

Electrical system: wiring

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Nov 20, 2024NHTSA 24V877000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2024 – Oct 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance10
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Exterior lighting4
  4. Engine2
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Lane departure1
  8. Other / unknown3

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

By model year

Complaints for each Santa Cruz model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2022187
202380
202436
202522
20265
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

10 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11764533

Electrical system

4 reports
“One or two times a week, while driving at night, my headlights and head unit display both power off briefly, typically about 1/2 a second. Then they resume as if nothing had happened. No warning lights or errors, no boot up screen... just back to normal instantly. The only thing that changes is my seat belt indicator illuminates for a few seconds, then goes back off. After some online digging, it seems plenty of other people have this issue, but no one has found an official cause or solution.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11774411

Exterior lighting

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds at night on several occasions, the headlights were dim and created a shadow across the roadway. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on multiple occasions. The dealer was initially unable to duplicate the failure but later diagnosed that the driver-side headlight bulb needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer on several occasions. The dealer ultimately deemed the headlight performance normal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11749015
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (AM-S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Santa Cruz FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,400356
Santa Cruz AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
212924$2,500367
Santa Cruz AWD
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192722$2,750406
Santa Cruz XRT AWD
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,850419
  • Santa Cruz FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,400/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Cruz AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Cruz AWD
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,750/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Cruz XRT AWD
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 20589Vehicle 20588
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2025 Santa Cruz questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (10), electrical system (4), exterior lighting (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026