2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz has good reliability. There are 2 recalls and 15 owner complaints on file for the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. Severity signals include 1 crash-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Forward Collision Avoidance (8), Electrical System (2), Unknown Or Other (2).
Santa-Cruz reliability snapshot
72/100
Latest model-year reliability score
3.0/5
RepairPal rating (overall)
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Hyundai Santa-Cruz before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
Forward Collision Avoidance8
Electrical System2
Unknown Or Other2
Service Brakes2
Exterior Lighting1
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
☐Test Forward Collision Avoidance for false activations
☐Check if Smart Cruise Control deactivates with sunglasses
☐Inspect headlights for inadequate illumination at night
☐Verify fuel gauge accuracy after refueling
☐Listen for brake pedal noise in temperatures below 70°F
☐Test Driver Attention Warning for frequent false alerts
What owners reported
2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz owner complaints in detail
Owners have reported 1 crash to NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report multiple issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance systems on the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. A common complaint is that the Driver Forward Attention Warning system frequently disables Smart Cruise Control when drivers wear sunglasses, causing abrupt speed changes and potential safety hazards, especially at highway speeds. This issue often occurs within the first few thousand miles, with many owners noting that attempts to disable the feature are ineffective. Additionally, several owners describe the Automatic Emergency Braking system engaging unexpectedly, which can lead to sudden stops and increase the risk of rear-end collisions. These problems are noted from the initial purchase and continue despite dealer consultations, with no available software fixes reported.
Owner complaints2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz report issues with the electrical system, primarily involving sudden failures of headlights, instrumentation lights, and computer displays while driving at night. This issue occurs unexpectedly and resolves quickly, but it poses potential safety risks due to temporary loss of visibility and information. Additionally, some owners experience problems with the fuel gauge inaccurately displaying a full tank regardless of the actual fuel level, even after sensor replacement. These issues are reported at relatively low mileage, around 5,045 miles, indicating they may arise early in the vehicle's lifespan. Potential buyers should be aware of these electrical concerns, especially considering the safety implications of headlight failures.
Owner complaints2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report persistent issues with the Driver Attention Warning (DAW) system in the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. Complaints frequently mention the "Take a Break" alert activating at random and frequent intervals, sometimes as often as every other minute, leading to significant distraction while driving. These issues are noted to occur from the time of vehicle purchase, with no option to disable the feature. There are no reports of crashes, fires, or loss of control linked to this issue, but the frequent false alerts can be a distraction. Potential buyers should be aware of the inability to modify or disable this feature, which may impact driving focus.
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz report issues with the service brakes, primarily involving the forward collision-avoidance system and brake pedal performance. A significant pattern involves the forward collision-avoidance system activating unexpectedly during normal driving conditions, leading to sudden braking, which has resulted in at least one rear-end collision. This issue is reported to occur frequently, over 50 times in about eight months. Additionally, some owners describe the brake pedal as feeling unsmooth and producing noisy squeaking or creaking sounds, particularly in temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These symptoms appear shortly after purchase, with one owner experiencing them within two weeks and continuing over 1,500 miles. No safety risks are explicitly reported regarding the brake pedal noise, but the issue persists without a definitive resolution.
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2025 Santa-Cruz. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
AIR BAGSNHTSA 25V809000Nov 21, 2025
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 SYSTEMNHTSA 24V877000Nov 20, 2024
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.
2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz on the road
23,962 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz presents a mixed reliability profile, scoring slightly below the segment average. With two recalls, the recall count is limited, suggesting that major systemic issues are not prevalent. However, the concentration of complaints, particularly in forward collision avoidance, indicates a specific area of concern for potential buyers.
Complaints are not broadly distributed, with a majority related to forward collision avoidance. This focus suggests a need for prospective owners to pay particular attention to this system. Other issues like the electrical system, service brakes, and exterior lighting appear less frequently, indicating they are not widespread problems.
Overall, the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz carries a moderate reliability risk, with potential buyers advised to consider the specific issue areas identified.
What you get in a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz report
✓Available title brand history
✓Odometer readings & rollback detection
✓Accident & damage records
✓Auction sales with photos
✓Open safety recalls
✓Theft & stolen vehicle check
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2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz presents a mixed reliability profile, scoring slightly below the segment average. With two recalls, the recall count is limited, suggesting that major systemic issues are not prevalent. However, the concentration of complaints, particularly in forward collision avoidance, indicates a specific area of concern for potential buyers.
How many recalls does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
2 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?
The most-reported 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problem areas are: Forward Collision Avoidance (8), Electrical System (2), Unknown Or Other (2).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.