2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Problems: 8 Known Issues
2025 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 8 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are Forward Collision Avoidance Phantom / Unexpected Braking (Recall 26V316), Improperly Installed Side Curtain Airbags That May Not Deploy in a Crash (Recall 25V809) ($0-$0 repair) and Misrouted Console Extension Wiring Contacting Shift Lock Release, Allowing Shift Out of Park Without the Brake (Recall 24V877) ($0-$0 repair). DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 8 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls9 recalls
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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."
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 8 documented issues. Documented issues include: Forward Collision Avoidance Phantom / Unexpected Braking (Recall 26V316), Improperly Installed Side Curtain Airbags That May Not Deploy in a Crash (Recall 25V809), Misrouted Console Extension Wiring Contacting Shift Lock Release, Allowing Shift Out of Park Without the Brake (Recall 24V877). Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 8 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 3 issues are rated critical: Forward Collision Avoidance Phantom / Unexpected Braking (Recall 26V316) and Improperly Installed Side Curtain Airbags That May Not Deploy in a Crash (Recall 25V809) and Misrouted Console Extension Wiring Contacting Shift Lock Release, Allowing Shift Out of Park Without the Brake (Recall 24V877). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?
Repair costs for known Hyundai Santa Cruz issues range from $0 to $0, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2025-2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Forward Collision Avoidance Phantom / Unexpected Braking (Recall 26V316)?
NHTSA recall 26V-316 (Hyundai recall 302) covers certain model-year 2025-2026 Santa Cruz vehicles. Front-camera software can cause the Forward Collision Avoidance system to exhibit increased sensitivity to forward-object proximity in certain driving scenarios. The system may enga… Severity: high.
What is the 2025-2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Improperly Installed Side Curtain Airbags That May Not Deploy in a Crash (Recall 25V809)?
A small number of Santa Cruz trucks left the assembly line with side curtain airbags that were not installed correctly, so the curtain may fail to deploy or may deploy out of position in a side impact or rollover. NHTSA campaign 25V809000 covers 258 vehicles across 2025 Tucson, 2… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Misrouted Console Extension Wiring Contacting Shift Lock Release, Allowing Shift Out of Park Without the Brake (Recall 24V877)?
The console extension wiring assembly that runs near the shift lever can be routed incorrectly during assembly so that the harness presses on the mechanical release for the shift lever lock. With the lock defeated, the transmission can be moved out of Park without the brake pedal… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz 12V battery runs low after the truck sits for days (owner reports)?
Owners report Bluelink "battery level is below normal" alerts and a low 12V battery after the truck sits for about a week. Owners point to standby draw from keyless entry and the Bluelink cellular modem, and to plug-in OBD-II devices left connected while parked. Applies to: Santa… Severity: medium.
What is the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Water on the passenger floor traced to sunroof drains (owner reports)?
Owners report water leaking into the cabin, including onto the front passenger floor. In the reports, a dealer found 3 of the 6 sunroof drain slots clogged, and other dealers found a crimped sunroof drain hose; on one 2022 truck the leak continued after the hose repair and Hyunda… Severity: medium.
What is the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Dual-clutch transmission judder and hesitation pulling away on the 2.5T — bulletin 26-AT-005H?
Hyundai's bulletin says the 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (8WDCT) on 2.5T trucks can show drivability and judder symptoms from variation in clutch touch-point learning. The bulletin's road check looks for delayed acceleration, jerking or shift shock, and for the truck fail… Severity: medium.
What is the 2022-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Roll-up tonneau cover will not latch, retract fully or close without a gap — bulletin 26-BD-003H?
Hyundai's bulletin says the factory tonneau cover may not latch or unlatch, may not retract properly, and may leave a v-gap when closed. The bulletin says this may be due to a broken or missing clip on the underside of the cover. Applies to: All Santa Cruz (NXT) model years equip… Severity: low.
What is the 2024-2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Center display flickers or goes blank from a loose coaxial connection — bulletin 24-BE-007H-1?
Hyundai's bulletin says the display screen may flicker or intermittently go blank because the shield of the coaxial cable is too wide, causing a loose connection at the display connector. Applies to: 2024-2025 Santa Cruz (NXT) built May 18, 2023 to September 5, 2024. The bulletin… Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.