2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2026
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2026: 4 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 185 |
| 2023 | 79 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Known problem areas
Only 4 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Power train
2 of 4 total reports mention: power train.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and merging into highway traffic, the vehicle hesitated and surged forward after depressing the accelerator pedal.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-04-30
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Visibility/wiper
1 of 4 total reports mentions: visibility/wiper.
Show complaint excerpts
The windshield washer fluid dispensing nozzles do not effectively cover the windshield. Almost all of the "spray" is in a very concentrated area of the lower windshield.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-05-22
Vehicle speed control
1 of 4 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.
Steering
1 of 4 total reports mentions: steering.
Lane departure
1 of 4 total reports mentions: lane departure, most commonly citing assist.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
2025-12-29Air bags25V809000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G.
-
R
2026-03-24Electrical system26V047000 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.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460.
-
R
2026-06-22Forward collision avoidance26V316000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will update the front camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 302.
Buy-smart checklist
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 2 reports on file for this year.
- Visibility/wiper: 1 report on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 1 report on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 25V809000 · Air bags
- Recall 26V047000 · Electrical system
- Recall 26V316000 · Forward collision avoidance
FAQ
- Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.