2025 HYUNDAI Santa Cruz

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz demonstrates concerning reliability due to its electrical and airbag issues. With two recalls and a significant number of TSBs, owners should be vigilant about potential failures, especially within the first 20,000 miles.

Key Factor:Electrical and airbag issues

📋Why This Matters

The recalls pertaining to the electrical system and airbag deployment are critical safety concerns. An improperly routed wiring assembly can inadvertently allow shifting out of Park without braking, increasing the risk of unintentional movement. Additionally, malfunctioning side curtain airbags leave occupants vulnerable during collisions, undermining one of the key safety features these vehicles offer. Such defects can not only lead to costly repairs but also pose substantial safety risks to drivers and passengers alike.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.7)
    📝
    Summary: In comparison to other vehicles in its class, the Santa Cruz has a troubling number of complaints and recalls for its debut year. The presence of multiple TSBs indicates ongoing challenges with vehicle systems that could lead to reliability issues sooner rather than later.

Safety & Reliability Score

83/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-0.6
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2025 HYUNDAI Santa Cruz

Model Year2025
MakeHYUNDAI
ModelSanta Cruz
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Nov24
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan25
NEWProduction
Jan25
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan25
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

8 complaints (67% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 12 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟡Medium
3(25%)
🟢Low
9(75%)
Good News: No critical or high-severity complaints reported for this vehicle.

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

With peak failure occurrences between 0-20k miles and an average failure mileage around 3823 miles, it’s clear that owners could face significant problems early in ownership. This means proactive monitoring is essential for new owners—issues might arise before they even have time to hit their first regular service.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 2 of 12 complaints (17% coverage)
0-20k
2 reports (100%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMAIR BAGS

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Electrical System

Issue: Wiring may allow shifting out of Park without braking.

Have the wiring inspected and corrected immediately to prevent accidents.

🔍

Check if any recall work has been performed on the specific vehicle you're considering.

Campaigns:21V12321V456
2

Airbags

Issue: Side curtain airbags may not deploy as intended due to installation errors.

Verify that your airbag system has been checked for proper installation as part of recall repairs.

🔍

Request detailed service history regarding any airbag recall fixes done on the vehicle before purchase.

Campaign:21V123
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your HYUNDAI dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (2)

Campaign: 24V877000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Summary

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America

Campaign: 25V809000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

Summary

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 are expected to be mailed January 19, 2026. 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.

Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

12 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2025 Santa Cruz.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning67%
Display8%
Noise8%
Squeak8%
Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I can not disable the Driver Attention Warning (DAW) function on this vehicle. The "Take a Break" warning comes up at random times for no apparent reason. I understand the functionality but it often gives false warnings, distracting me from the driving task. This car needs to the ability to shut off the function, and, like other vehicles, set a time for setting the warning, i.e., every 45 minutes, hour, etc.

Brakes🔶 Medium
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

This is an ongoing safety issue with a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited. The forward collision-avoidance system activates frequently and without cause during normal driving. The system will engage when another vehicle is simply turning, merging, or slowing down at a traffic light—normal, predictable situations where no emergency braking should occur. These unexpected activations create unsafe conditions, including one incident where the truck was rear-ended due to sudden, unnecessary braking. The issue has occurred more than 50 times over approximately eight months of ownership. The manufacturer has been contacted and stated that this behavior is “by design.” They advised having the vehicle inspected by a dealership, but the local dealership requires leaving the vehicle for diagnostics for up to two days and does not provide loaner vehicles. Because I rely on the vehicle daily for work, this has made inspection difficult. Online reports from other owners appear to describe the same issue with the same model and year. No warning lights, error messages, or other indicators appear before the system activates. I have adjusted the collision-sensitivity settings from high to standard, but the issue persists. There is no option to disable the system entirely. The component is available for inspection upon request.

Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while fueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge became inoperable. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed a full tank while driving, regardless of the actual fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel gauge sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred after the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,045.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Adaptive Cruze control will not allow use when wearing sun glasses. It will default out of cruze control causing driver distraction, eye strain from sunlight by having to drive while using Cruze control with out sun glasses.

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Consider taking a break warning triggers continually; sometimes as frequently as every other minute causing distraction during driving. It has occurred since purchasing vehicle. Dealership says can not disable.

Safety Systems🔶 Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE

Make: Hyundai • Model: Santa Cruz • Year: 2025 • Trim: Limited • Mileage: 2600 miles • Date of Purchase: July 2025 Description of the Problem: I am reporting a safety issue with the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system on my 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited, which unexpectedly disables Smart Cruise Control (SCC) during highway driving. The FAW system, which uses an in-cabin camera to monitor driver attentiveness, frequently misinterprets normal driving behavior—such as wearing polarized sunglasses or holding the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position—as inattention. This causes SCC to deactivate abruptly, resulting in sudden speed changes that create a safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds (e.g., 65–70 mph). The issue occurs multiple times per drive, especially when wearing sunglasses, and persists even after attempting to disable FAW in the vehicle’s settings (Settings > Vehicle > Driver Assistance > Driver Attention Warning > Off). For example, while driving on [XXX], SCC deactivated without warning due to FAW detecting my sunglasses, causing the vehicle to slow unexpectedly and requiring immediate manual intervention to maintain speed. This has happened regularly, creating a risk of rear-end collisions or driver distraction. I contacted my Hyundai dealership and they stated that no software fix is available and the system is “working as designed.” Hyundai’s Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 25-GI-001H) acknowledges FAW issues with sunglasses and hand position but offers no solution. I also contacted Hyundai Customer Service (1-800-633-5151), but they provided no resolution. This issue is widely reported by other 2025 Hyundai owners (e.g., Tucson, Santa Fe) in online forums INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Brakes🔵 Low
SERVICE BRAKES

-Brake pedal feels unsmooth in temperatures below 75-80 (mainly below 70) degrees as well as extremely noisy squeaking / creaking sounds accompanied. Inspection is always available. -I currently don't believe there is any safety risk to the issue I'm experiencing, but rather that it's unknown if there is one. I'm just being told there is no safety concern while also being told the issue I'm experiencing has never been heard or seen before on any previous model of Santa Cruz (that my local dealer has experienced). -The issue has been reproduced and confirmed by a dealer on my vehicle as well as on a brand new model sitting in the dealers lot that wasn't nearly as bad as my car, but similar noises at reduced volume could be replicated. -As far as I've been told from the 5 total visits I've had by 2 different Hyundai dealers, I was told 1 time that the pedal components were inspected and everything looked as it should (this was visit 1 of 5). -No warning messages or codes. Car was bought brand new (8 miles on odometer) off the lot and began having issues 2 weeks into ownership. Issue has been with the vehicle ever since (at the time of this message 14+ weeks and 1,500+ miles driven). -Overall, I was told rubber inside the booster is likely rubbing together or booster vacuum could be hissing air (or both together). Advisor at dealer could not definitively say whether or not noise would eventually "break in" as I was told to keep trying to do ("Go put on 5,000+ miles and come back if noise persists"). Advisor also stated because issue has never been seen on pervious years models, that it could maybe one day be recalled. Otherwise, I was told there is no fix that would be covered by warranty as well as he feared if they completely replaced all brake pedal / booster components, that the issue would just start over again.

Safety Systems🔶 Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Since day one of purchasing the vehicle brand new, the Automatic Emergency Braking engages for basically no reason. The system is way too sensitive and will engage the brakes out of nowhere. This is very dangerous because the vehicle will come to a stop and it's only a matter of time when this happens and then get rear ended. Please address this issue, it's a major problem. Also, the Forward Collision Warning is way too sensitive too. Please have Hyundai fix these issues.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

After driving vehicle for 20-30 minutes. I receive on the dashboard an error message that the Driver Assistance System is not working properly. This has happen even if the sensor is clear of any type of debris or objects.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Vehicle is constantly slamming on the brakes when leaving a parking garage. Users have to turn the feature off every single time we enter our vehicle instead of it being saved to our profile. 2023 model allowed us to select warning sound only if we preferred. I'd hate to see this feature activate while it's raining. It is wayyy too sensitive even with the late timing option selected. Only a matter of time before this feature causes at fault wrecks. Hyundai needs to make this feature optional to the user at least

Frequently Asked Questions

'What safety concerns should I consider for a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?'

'The primary safety concerns revolve around electrical system malfunctions that could lead to unintended movement of the vehicle and potential failures in airbag deployment during an accident. Both issues stem from recent recalls, so it's vital for current owners or prospective buyers to ensure that recall repairs have been completed.'

'How reliable is the electrical system in the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?'

'While Hyundai has a solid reputation for engineering quality, the Santa Cruz's electrical system has raised red flags with multiple recalls addressing wiring issues. These problems could lead to serious operational risks if not promptly addressed by either owners or dealers.'

📊Year-over-Year Context

➡️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2025 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 2 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your HYUNDAI dealer.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in HYUNDAI's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
  • This specific Santa Cruz year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.