Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, including Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain; Electrical System › Wiring; Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (10), electrical system (4), exterior lighting (4), engine (2).

How much does a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost to own for 5 years?

About $46,239 over 5 years ($771/month) at an estimated $25,500 purchase price and 12,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns a strong Throttlebook Ownership Score of 76/100. Expect about $46,239 to own it for five years, or $771 a month. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 22 complaints.

Recalls: 3
Complaints: 22
5-yr cost: $46k
MPG (EPA): 22

Strong

Ownership Score

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs nearby years

Compare this year with the model years next to it on the same hub.

Looking at a specific Santa Cruz?

Paste its VIN for the exact trim, recalls that may apply, and a Fits / Stretch / Not yet verdict for your budget. Free.

3 recalls may apply

For the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. NHTSA matches recalls by model and year — confirm by VIN.

What's wrong: 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.

Check recalls for this exact VIN at NHTSA

Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

5-year cost to own

Estimated $25,500 price, 20% down, 6.35% APR for 60 months (Experian avg.), 12,000 mi/yr.

$46,239

$771/month · $0.77/mile

Depreciation	$9,434
Insurance (national avg.)	$12,750
Fuel / charging	$9,135
Maintenance	$7,000
Repairs	$1,500
Loan interest	$3,790
Taxes & fees	$2,630

Estimate, not financial advice. How we calculate.

Owner complaints & safety

What real owners reported to NHTSA for this model year.

22 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire

Forward Collision Avoidance10
Electrical System4
Exterior Lighting4
Unknown Or Other3
Engine2
Service Brakes2

Complaint counts scale with how many were sold; compare against similar models.

NHTSA crash-test stars

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
Frontal: 5 out of 5 stars
Side: 5 out of 5 stars
Rollover: 4 out of 5 stars

Rated as: 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWD

What to check on a used 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Ordered by what owners of this model year reported most. Reports are not proof of a defect.

Driver-assist systems
- Ask if the systems work as designed and if any warnings stay on.
- Test the backup camera and parking sensors if fitted.
Electrical and lights
- Test every window, lock, light and wiper.
- Watch for warning lights that stay on after start-up.
Brakes
- Press the pedal firmly: it should feel solid, not sink or pulse.
- Listen for grinding or squealing when stopping.

If anything in a safety area feels wrong (brakes, steering, airbags, tires), stop driving and get it inspected before you buy or drive it further. Paste a VIN above for the full printable checklist.

Common 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems

Cheaper alternatives

FAQ

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car to buy?: The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns a strong Throttlebook Ownership Score of 76/100. Expect about $46,239 to own it for five years, or $771 a month. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 22 complaints.
Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have recalls?: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, including Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain; Electrical System › Wiring; Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?: Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance (10), electrical system (4), exterior lighting (4), engine (2).
How much does a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost to own for 5 years?: About $46,239 over 5 years ($771/month) at an estimated $25,500 purchase price and 12,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP ratings; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data refreshed weekly. Complaint counts scale with sales volume.