9 recalls covering model years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
Hyundai is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to turn on too early. When this happens, the system unexpectedly applies the brakes on its own, even when it isn't needed. This is a software problem in the camera that watches for collisions.
On certain Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, and several other Hyundai models, a software error can cause the instrument panel display to fail. Because this display is required to function properly under the federal safety standard for vehicle controls and displays, a failure means the vehicle no longer meets that requirement.
Hyundai is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, and 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles because the side curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly. This can cause the air bags not to deploy the way they are supposed to in a crash. Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags correctly, at no cost to owners.
On certain new Tucson and Santa Cruz models, a wiring assembly near the console may be routed incorrectly. This can let the gear shifter be moved out of Park without the brake pedal being pressed. Dealers will reroute the wiring correctly. In the meantime, Hyundai is telling owners to use the parking brake whenever they park.
On some 2024 Hyundai Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles, a circuit board inside the power steering system can short circuit. If this happens, the vehicle loses power steering assist, which means the steering wheel becomes much harder to turn. Dealers will replace the power steering electric power pack at no cost to the owner.
Certain Hyundai Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid, and Santa Cruz vehicles equipped with a tow hitch wiring harness, either installed at the factory or added later through a Hyundai dealership, may allow water to build up on a circuit board inside the harness module. This buildup can cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
⚠ NHTSA advises: park outside and away from structures (fire risk).
On certain Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles, the trim moldings running along the roofline may not be properly secured. While the vehicle is being driven, a molding can come loose and detach from the roof. If a molding falls off, it can land on the roadway, becoming a hazard for other drivers and increasing the chance of a crash nearby.
These vehicles have a backup driving mode meant to keep the car moving if the transmission's oil pump fails. That backup mode may not work properly, and this can lead to a complete loss of drive power. Losing drive power while driving increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace it if needed, and will also update the transmission's computer software, all free of charge.
The pipe that supplies oil to the turbocharger may develop a crack over time. If the pipe cracks, oil can leak out into the engine compartment. Because the engine compartment contains hot parts such as the engine itself and the exhaust system, a leaking oil in that area near those hot components can increase the chance of a fire starting.
Recalls and NHTSA owner complaints for each model year, side by side. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and better-selling or older years naturally collect more — read this as a record, not a ranking.
| Model year | Recalls | High / critical | Do-not-drive / park-outside | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 183 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 80 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls covering the 2022–2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. 6 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "Hyundai SUVs: Automatic Braking May Trigger Unexpectedly" (NHTSA campaign 26V316000), reported May 19, 2026.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has the most, with 4 recalls. The 2024 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 1. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
Yes. 1 Hyundai Santa Cruz recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory from NHTSA: Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Cruz Tow Hitch Fire Risk (23V181000). These apply only to the affected vehicles, so check your VIN.
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall often applies to only some vehicles of a model year, and the VIN lookup shows the ones still unrepaired on your car. Recall repairs are free at any franchised Hyundai dealer, including for second owners.
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: