repaired · 2026 Q3
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
NewRisk. Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
2026 Hyundai Santa CruzProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, most often about the lane departure. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 2, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz has problems
5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
2Lane departure
2Power train
1Steering
1Vehicle speed control
1Visibility/wiper
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
NewRisk. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Side/window: curtain
NewRisk. Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Best & worst years
2026 vs. every other Santa Cruz year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Santa Cruz median. How we score
'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz safety ratings
2026 HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ PU/CC N/A FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard & Optional
- Lane departure warning: Standard
In owners' words
What Santa Cruz owners report
Recent lane departure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "You May Want to Consider Taking a Break" was displayed with an audible alert nine times during a thirteen-mile trip, causing a distraction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer,…
The lake keep assist safety feature works inconsistently. Many times, the system has allowed my vehicle to cross the yellow or white lines, when it shouldn't have. Even worse, during wintertime, the vehicle gets confused as to what is road and what is not, jerking the vehicle in directions that it…
Own a 2026 Santa Cruz?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.