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2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems

The most common problem on the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is transmission and drivetrain. Its complaint count is close to a typical Santa Cruz model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
36
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
335 warranty
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
22-23mpg

The worst 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    11
  • Driver assistance
    6
  • Engine
    6
  • Acceleration
    5
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Loss of power 9

Recalls 1

Steering: electric power assist systemReported June 5, 2024 · 795 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 24V412000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Technical service bulletins for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz 33

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 33 bulletins for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cylFWD222623
2.5L 4‑cylAWD19-2125-2722-23

What 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Seat belts · MS

I recently noticed a malfunction with the front passenger seatbelt buckle in my 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz at approximately 48,000 miles. After unbuckling, the red release button would remain stuck in the depressed position. This prevented the seatbelt tongue from being inserted and latched again. Tapping the buckle several times allowed the button to return to its normal position, after which the seatbelt could be fastened. I brought the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership on October 29, 2026. The dealership told me the issue involved a spring and could be corrected by cleaning the buckle. They performed the repair. I was told it was not covered under warranty because it could be repaired and there was no recall. They initially charged one-half hour of labor but agreed to waive that charge when I also purchased an oil change. My safety concern is that the sticking release button prevented the front passenger seatbelt from being fastened. I am reporting this failure so the federal safety agency can track similar complaints and determine whether further investigation is warranted.

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

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.

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Acceleration · 15,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed May 25, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OR

On [XXX], while I was travelling South on [XXX] in Washington, while towing. My Emergency Brake/Forward Collision Avoidance system activated. Very briefly but enough to give me a shock. There was no reason for this to be activated, traffic was moving along, no one was closely in front of me, fortunately no one was right behind me. I discovered upon returning home that there was just issued a recall for this reason on 2025-2026 Santa Cruz vehicles. Mine is a 2024. I called the dealership, no coverage for the update for my truck yet. There was another recall that I was not notified about for an software update on my oil pump, which I will have done tomorrow. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 4, 2026 · Driver assistance · GA

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?

Filed Apr 25, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · DE

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.

Filed Jan 28, 2026 · Transmission · NH

I was at a stop sign leave a store and I started going again and when I got to 15 mph it like it went into neutral and I thought maybe I hit shifter in neutral but didn't and I went to go again did same thing but then jump into next gear got cat home I bought this car brand new I only got 33000 miles

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Driver assistance · MS

I purchased the vehicle in September of 2025 I called and sent text message to Palmer Hyundai of Mobile to report an issue with forward Collision System (please note Photos and document would not attach so i sent an email to [email protected]. 02/08/2025. The issue was reported at the 1st oil change with Palmer Hyundai (8000 miles oil change) I have been dealing with this issue for a year, I wanted to provide Hyundai an opportunity to correct the front collision warning system it is still inoperable. 1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Front Collision System. Vehicle is available for inspection; YES 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Reduced effectiveness of other safety features: Potential for serious injury or death 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES, Palmer Hyundai of Mobile Ala and Hallmark Hyundai of Flowood Ms. 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Technician from the dealerships 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? September of 2025, I notified the Dealership there was an Issue.

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · Fuel system · NJ

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.

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Transmission · KS

Sporadically, when shifting from first to second gear, the engine/transmission will stall, causing a loss of power for several seconds. This is generally when pulling away from a stop sign/light into traffic. I picked a single date below, but this continually happens from time to time.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, close to a typical Santa Cruz model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 11 complaints. Next is driver assistance (6).

How many recalls does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?

1 recall, covering steering.

What year does the Hyundai Santa Cruz have bad transmission?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz model years with the most transmission complaints are 2022 (91 complaints), 2023 (25 complaints) and 2024 (11 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz get?

Official estimates for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22 city and 26 highway.

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