Last updated: 2026-10-10
Hyundai Santa Cruz Reliability by Year
Hyundai Santa-Cruz reliability is good and near the truck average. Skip the 2022 and its sudden power loss reports. The 2024 is the safer used buy.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Reliability Overview
Reliability for the Santa-Cruz rates good and sits close to the truck average, but the 2022 is the year to skip. Its owners report sudden power loss while merging onto a highway, and some trucks needed a new transmission before 20,000 miles. The 2024 is the better buy, though its reports include a transmission that slips into neutral when pulling away from a stop.
Current generation: 1st gen (2022–2023), facelifted 2025.
Best & Worst Hyundai Santa Cruz Years
Best Hyundai Santa Cruz Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 drew 30 complaints against 171 for the 2022, and it has one recall against four. Its power train reports are smaller in scale, though some describe slipping into neutral when pulling away. The 2025 and 2026 rate well but have had less time on the road, so they do not count as proven.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Years to Avoid
Power train trouble dominates, with 82 of 171 complaints. Owners describe the truck losing power while merging, the transmission not shifting, revs climbing with little speed, or limp mode. Dealers often cannot reproduce it. Some trucks got new transmissions before 20,000 miles. Fuel injector misfires and tow hitch wiring fire worries add to the list.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Reliability Score Trend
Hyundai Santa Cruz reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 72/100 compared to 61/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 57/100 | Mixed |
| 2023 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 74/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2 recalls · 0 complaints
Newest year, with no owner complaints yet because it has had little time on the road, and two recalls covering the electrical system and air bags.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2 recalls · 15 complaints
Good standing and a 5-star federal crash rating, with complaints centered on cruise control shutoffs and unwanted automatic braking.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
1 recalls · 30 complaints
Middle of the pack for the Santa-Cruz, with fewer complaints than 2023 and a transmission that can slip into neutral at low speed.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2 recalls · 73 complaints
Final first-generation year, middle of the pack among Santa-Cruz years, better than 2022 but known for early sudden acceleration loss and two recalls.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
4 recalls · 171 complaints
The weakest of five scored years, marked by sudden power loss, transmission replacements, and a park-outside fire-risk recall.
Found Your Hyundai Santa Cruz? Check Its History
Forward collision avoidance (8) problems come up most in Hyundai Santa Cruz owner complaints, and 11 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Hyundai Santa Cruz Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3/5
Hyundai Santa Cruz Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Hyundai Models
Compare all Hyundai models by reliability
Compare Hyundai Santa Cruz With Similar Trucks
The Hyundai Santa Cruz competes with other midsize trucks such as Ford Maverick, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado.
Santa Cruz vs Ford Maverick
5 years tracked · 1050 complaints
Santa Cruz vs Toyota Tacoma
9 years tracked · 795 complaints
Santa Cruz vs Chevrolet Colorado
9 years tracked · 695 complaints
Santa Cruz vs Nissan Frontier
7 years tracked · 92 complaints
Santa Cruz vs Ford Ranger
8 years tracked · 539 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
- The 2024 is the best pick. It has been on the road long enough to show a real record, and it has far fewer complaints than the 2022. The 2025 and 2026 rate well, but their short time on the road means their records are still thin.
- Is the Hyundai Santa-Cruz reliable?
- Yes, its reliability standing is good, and it lands close to average among trucks on the site. The weak spot is the early years, especially 2022. Later model years show far fewer owner complaints per truck sold.
- What are the most common Hyundai Santa-Cruz problems?
- Power train problems lead the list. Owners report sudden power loss, a transmission that stops shifting, and limp mode. Electrical complaints include stalling at highway speed with no warning light. Engine reports center on misfires from failing fuel injectors, with a check engine light and reduced power.
- Does the Santa-Cruz have headlight complaints?
- Yes. Weak low beams are the main complaint, reported with both halogen and LED headlights. Owners describe short reach or a dark spot in the beam, which makes unlit or curvy roads hard at night. Dealers generally say the lights work as designed and offer no fix.
- Do Santa-Cruz transmissions fail?
- Some do. Owners report trucks losing power while accelerating onto a highway, and several received replacement transmissions, some before 20,000 miles. Dealers often could not reproduce the fault. The reports are heaviest on the 2022 and thinner on later years.
How we score the Hyundai Santa Cruz
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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