Model year
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 5 complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (2), LANE DEPARTURE (1), LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST (1). NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 20–25 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,700–$3,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2022 185 complaints
- 2023 79 complaints
- 2024 35 complaints
- 2025 21 complaints
- 2026 5 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
26V316000 · May 18, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
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…
26V047000 · Jan 26, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the…
25V809000 · Nov 20, 2025
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
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.
Complaints
5 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU/CC N/A AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.164 | NHTSA photo |
| PU/CC N/A FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.164 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz FWD · 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Santa Cruz AWD NX4 OB 2.5 AWD 8AT · 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Santa Cruz AWD NX4 OB 2.5T AWD 8AT · 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Santa Cruz XRT AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.