The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 11 of 36 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 79 in 2023 to 36 in 2024.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 36
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,700–$2,850
- Combined MPG
- 22–23
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2024 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 21–25 | 20–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 26–27 | 19–22 / 25–27 | 19–22 / 25–27 | 18–22 / 26–30 | 18–22 / 25–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 382–403 | 381–402 | 381–403 | 356–419 | 356–435 | |
| Complaints filed | 186 | 79 | 36 | 22 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 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 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 11 of 36 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2024 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) | 403 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 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 (1)
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.