2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls and problems

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 3 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

1 / 1

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls

Recall 26V-316: Forward Collision Avoidance

Reported May 18, 2026 · 423,062 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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.

Risk: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 25V-809: Air Bags

Reported Nov 20, 2025 · 258 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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.

Risk: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 24V-877: Electrical System

Reported Nov 20, 2024 · 42,465 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor America

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Forward Collision Avoidance	14
Electrical System	4
Exterior Lighting	4
Service Brakes	3
Lane Departure	3
Unknown or Other	3
Engine	2
Fuel/Propulsion System	1
Steering	1

Most reported parts

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 6
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 4
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3
Lane Departure › Assist — 2
Electrical System › Adas › Driver Monitoring › Camera/Sensor — 1
Lane Departure › Warning — 1
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Fuel Gauge — 1
Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 5,045 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting · reported Oct 29, 2026

One or two times a week, while driving at night, my headlights and head unit display both power off briefly, typically about 1/2 a second. Then they resume as if nothing had happened. No warning lights or errors, no boot up screen... just back to normal instantly. The only thing that changes is my seat belt indicator illuminates for a few seconds, then goes back off. After some online digging, it seems plenty of other people have this issue, but no one has found an official cause or solution.

Unknown or Other · reported Oct 18, 2026

The latest software update, Oct 2026, no longer combines my FM favorites stations with my Sirius stations and now requires me to take my eyes off the road so that I can change from listing to FM to listening to Sirius. Prior I only needed to scroll all my stations using the toggle on the steering wheel allowing me to keep my eyes on the road. This requirement decreases road safety and should be reversed.

Engine · reported Oct 13, 2026

Radiator is leaking coolant at the bottom. Upon close inspections it is noted the front grill design of the vehicle leaves the radiator super exposed to the elements and road hazards causing excessive damage to the radiator during normal everyday use. During a call to the dealer it was discovered the radiator is not covered by the manufacturer warranty due to the damage being caused by road hazards even though the vehicle design is what left the component vulnerable. Hyundai intentionally sold me a vehicle designed in a way that left a critical component exposed to damage that can caused…

Forward Collision Avoidance · reported Sep 15, 2026

Making a left turn against oncoming traffic into a convenience store parking lot. There was a car in the driveway waiting to exit the convenience store parking lot. As I crossed the oncoming traffic lane the crash avoidance light on the dash came on and the brakes locked up nearly causing me to be broadsided by the oncoming traffic. An obvious malfunction of the crash avoidance system. I contacted the dealer and reported the issue. They advised my software was up to date and it was probably a ghost reading by the camera and software. No further action taken by the dealer.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Aug 29, 2026

Loss of power while trying to accelerate. RPM's were going up, but the vehicle was very sluggish. Nearly got rear ended as I had turned right on a red from a stop to merge onto a 55mph road. I could not get up to speed and had to pull to the side of the road and engage my hazard lights. I turned the vehicle off and let it sit for a few minutes, then turned it back on and the issue went away. No lights/warnings or sounds were associated with the problem. First time driving the car today. Weather is mid 70's and overcast.

Other Hyundai Santa Cruz years

202620252024 2023 2022

Compare all Hyundai Santa Cruz years · All Hyundai models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: 26V-316 (forward collision avoidance), 25V-809 (air bags), 24V-877 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Owners report forward collision avoidance problems most often (14 reports), followed by electrical system (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 5,045 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.