2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 9 of 18 complaints (50%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Engine include more fire reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 35 in 2024 to 18 in 2025.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2025 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–3,100 | 2,500–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 22–23 | 21–25 | 20–25 | 20–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–22 / 25–27 | 19–22 / 25–27 | 18–22 / 26–30 | 18–22 / 25–30 | 18–22 / 25–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 381–402 | 381–403 | 356–419 | 356–435 | 356–435 | |
| Complaints filed | 78 | 35 | 18 | 5 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
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 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
3 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 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 9 of 18 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz get?
EPA rates it 21–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| 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) | 30 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 356 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 367 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 406 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 419 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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 (3)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · Campaign 26V316000 · May 19, 2026
Defect: 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 the brakes.
Consequence: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
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. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 20, 2026.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · Campaign 25V809000 · Nov 21, 2025
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 24V877000 · Nov 21, 2024
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The console extension wiring assembly may be routed improperly, allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal.
Consequence: A transmission that can shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to use the parking brake when parking the vehicle. Dealers will reroute the console extension wiring assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 273.