Hyundai Santa Cruz years to avoid
More than twice the Santa Cruz's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Hyundai Santa Cruz years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Hyundai Santa Cruz problems
All model years combined.
- Transmission129
- Engine80
- Electrical42
- Driver assistance35
- Fuel system34
- Acceleration30
- Lights18
- Brakes12
- Visibility8
- Airbags8
- Body5
- Suspension4
Most reported problems on the Hyundai Santa Cruz
Loss of power 61Check engine light 45Transmission failure 21Won't shift 17Stalling 14
Hyundai Santa Cruz problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 5 | Driver assistance | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | - | 22 | Driver assistance | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2024 | - | 36 | Transmission | 1,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2023 | - | 80 | Transmission | 7,000 | 2 | 2 | Avoid |
| 2022 | 14 | 187 | Transmission | 25,000 | 4 | 6 | Avoid |
Recalls 9
Hyundai Santa Cruz warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
- Air bubbles forming on the surface of the dashboard (crash pad) due to poor adhesion caused by prolonged...
- Air bubbles forming on the surface of the dashboard (crash pad) due to poor adhesion caused by prolonged...
- Front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut
- Front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut
- Over-the-Air (OTA) update failures due to outdated Central Communication Unit (CCU) software
- One of the high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) DTCs listed below
Hyundai Santa Cruz in the news
Questions about the Hyundai Santa Cruz
What years of the Hyundai Santa Cruz should you avoid?
2022 and 2023. Each has more than twice the Hyundai Santa Cruz's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2022 alone has 187, mostly about transmission and engine.
What is the best year for a used Hyundai Santa Cruz?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Transmission, with 129 complaints across all years, followed by engine (80) and electrical (42).
How many recalls does the Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
9 recalls between 2022 and 2026. The 2022 model year has the most, with 4.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history