2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 25 of 78 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 182 in 2022 to 78 in 2023.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,500–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 21–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 26–27 | 19–22 / 25–27 | 19–22 / 25–27 | 18–22 / 26–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 382–403 | 381–402 | 381–403 | 356–419 | |
| Complaints filed | 182 | 78 | 35 | 18 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 25 of 78 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 381 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 390 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 402 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
TRAILER HITCHES · Campaign 23V181000 · Mar 20, 2023
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS; STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS · Campaign 23V038000 · Feb 1, 2023
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
Consequence: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 241.