Safety advisory. One or more recalls advise parking outside and away from buildings because of a fire risk. Check your VIN to see whether a specific vehicle is affected and still unrepaired.
Safety score
13/100
High recall-severity risk Lower recall-severity risk than 13% of vehicles we track.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz scores 13 out of 100 (grade F), one of the heavier recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 67% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 78% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.

Those 9 campaigns span 5 model years of the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The single largest affected 584,784 vehicles, over trailer hitches. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common Santa Cruz problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.

The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Hyundai Santa Cruz may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.

Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls by model year

Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.

Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls by affected system

Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.

Recalls by model year

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Recalls

3 recalls affect the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, involving the forward collision avoidance, electrical system, and air bags.

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Recalls

3 recalls affect the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, involving the forward collision avoidance, air bags, and electrical system.

2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Recalls

1 recall affects the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, involving the steering.

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Recalls

2 recalls affect the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, involving the trailer hitches and structure.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Recalls

4 recalls affect the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, involving the trailer hitches, structure, and power train.

Every Hyundai Santa Cruz recall in detail

Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.

Forward Collision AvoidanceMay 18, 2026 · 421,078 vehiclesNHTSA 26V316000
Affected years
2025-2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
421,078
Reported
May 18, 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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA campaign number 26V316000.

Electrical SystemJan 26, 2026 · 41,651 vehiclesNHTSA 26V047000
Affected years
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
41,651
Reported
Jan 26, 2026
Owners notified
Mar 24, 2026

Defect: 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. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.

NHTSA campaign number 26V047000.

Air BagsNov 20, 2025 · 258 vehiclesNHTSA 25V809000
Affected years
2025-2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
258
Reported
Nov 20, 2025
Owners notified
Dec 29, 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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA campaign number 25V809000.

Electrical SystemNov 20, 2024 · 42,465 vehiclesNHTSA 24V877000
Affected years
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
42,465
Reported
Nov 20, 2024
Owners notified
Dec 17, 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.

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.

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.

NHTSA campaign number 24V877000.

SteeringJun 5, 2024 · 795 vehiclesNHTSA 24V412000
Affected years
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
795
Reported
Jun 5, 2024
Owners notified
Jul 11, 2024

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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA campaign number 24V412000.

Trailer HitchesMar 17, 2023 · 584,784 vehiclesPark OutsideNHTSA 23V181000
Affected years
2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
584,784
Reported
Mar 17, 2023
Owners notified
May 16, 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.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA campaign number 23V181000.

StructureJan 31, 2023 · 16,104 vehiclesNHTSA 23V038000
Affected years
2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
16,104
Reported
Jan 31, 2023
Owners notified
Mar 30, 2023

Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.

Risk: 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.

NHTSA campaign number 23V038000.

Power TrainOct 6, 2022 · 56,148 vehiclesNHTSA 22V746000
Affected years
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
56,148
Reported
Oct 6, 2022
Owners notified
Jan 10, 2023

Defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.

NHTSA campaign number 22V746000.

Engine And Engine CoolingMar 28, 2022 · 16 vehiclesNHTSA 22V197000
Affected years
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Vehicles in this recall
16
Reported
Mar 28, 2022
Owners notified
May 26, 2022

Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.

NHTSA campaign number 22V197000.

Common questions about Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls

Does the Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 9 recall campaigns on record for the Hyundai Santa Cruz across the 2022 to 2026 model years. The most common areas are the electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and air bags.
How many times has the Hyundai Santa Cruz been recalled?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has 9 recall campaigns from the 2022 to 2026 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
What is the most serious Hyundai Santa Cruz recall?
The most serious recall on record involves the trailer hitches, affecting 584,784 vehicles. Owners were told to park outside and away from buildings because of a fire risk. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Which Hyundai Santa Cruz model year has the most recalls?
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has the most, with 4 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Cruz has an open recall?
Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.

Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.