Last updated: 2026-04-20
2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz Reliability Report
The 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz has a predicted reliability score of 69/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 2 recalls and 0 owner complaints.
Recalls
2
Complaints
0
Complaint Rate
0per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,400–$3,000
The Verdict
Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 69/100 — worth considering.
Should You Buy the 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz has a predicted reliability score of 69/100 ("Good") based on prior model year performance.
So far: 2 recalls, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.
Prior model years suggest some reliability concerns. A thorough pre-purchase inspection and extended warranty are recommended. This is a predicted score — real-world data is still developing.
See also the 2025 Hyundai Santa-Cruz for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable predicted reliability based on prior model years
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for Truck
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
Cons
- −Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing
Compare 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz With
2026 Ford Maverick
Predicted: 69/100
2026 Toyota Tacoma
Predicted: 64/100
2026 Ford Ranger
Predicted: 73/100
2026 Chevrolet Colorado
Predicted: 77/100
2026 Nissan Frontier
Predicted: 82/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
0
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 0.9
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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."
Consequence
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.
AIR BAGS
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 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.
Buying a used 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz? Check its history first
Every 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 16.4%
Safety Technologies
Hyundai Santa-CruzRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Tire Pressure Monitor Lamp Diagnosis | $98 – $143 |
| General Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Noise Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Vibration Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| No Start Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Pre-Purchase Car Inspection | $183 – $269 |
| Engine Oil Light Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Check Engine Light Diagnosis & Testing | $122 – $179 |
| AC Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Air Conditioning System Leak Inspection | $122 – $179 |
Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
20–25 MPG
Fuel cost: $2,400–$3,000/yr
Fuel only
18–22 city / 25–30 hwy MPG
Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz FWD 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,400 |
| Santa Cruz AWD NX4 OB 2.5 AWD 8AT 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,500 |
| Santa Cruz AWD NX4 OB 2.5T AWD 8AT 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,000 |
| Santa Cruz XRT AWD 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,000 |
Best & Worst Hyundai Santa-Cruz Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Hyundai Santa-Cruz Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Hyundai Santa-Cruz year is 2025 with a reliability score of 72/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2024 (71/100) and 2023 (64/100).
Hyundai Santa-Cruz Years to Avoid
The worst Hyundai Santa-Cruz year is 2022 with a score of 57/100, primarily due to power train (82) issues.
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. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 57/100 | Mixed |
| 2023 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 72/100 | Good |
Hyundai Santa-Cruz Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz?
How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz have?
How is the predicted score calculated?
Don’t buy a 2026 Hyundai Santa-Cruz without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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