2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (20) · Engine (10) · Vehicle Speed Control (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Santa Cruz model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Trailer Hitches 2023-03-17 · campaign 23V181000 · 584,784 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
Structure:critical Fasteners 2023-01-31 · campaign 23V038000 · 16,104 vehicles
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
Risk: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 241.
Service bulletins (51)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-10-27 · 26-GI-003H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update. the changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system. refer to the 2026 2nd navigation map and software update key improv
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Visibility/Wiper 2026-08-04 · Z08 OL · Warranty Program/Extension
certain 2022 – 2025 model year santa cruz and 2022 – 2025 model year tucson vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. at hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. in an effort to
Structure:body 2026-07-07 · 26-BD-003H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some santa cruz (nxt) vehicles may have a tonneau cover that does not latch or unlatch, does not retract properly, and/or has a v-gap that is present when closed. this may be due to a broken or missing clip on the underside of the tonneau cover. this bulletin provides instructions to inspect and, if
Visibility/Wiper 2026-07-06 · 26-BD-007H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension
some tucson (nx4a and nx4m) and santa cruz (nxt) vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the wiper motor crank arm nut under this condition to 10 years / 100,000 miles f
Visibility/Wiper 2026-07-06 · 26-BD-007H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
some tucson (nx4a and nx4m) and santa cruz (nxt) vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the wiper motor crank arm nut under this condition to 10 years / 100,000 miles f
Showing the 6 most recent of 51 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-14 · Suspension“unknown. i have had a clunking in the rear and have come across a tsb tsb 25-ss-003h. seems like a safety issue. rear shocks could be defective. …”
2026-09-09 · Electrical System“the push-to-open fuel filler door repeatedly failed to release, preventing refueling. the door locks through an electronic actuator tied to the central locking system, and there is no interior lever or owner-accessible manual override. beginning in august 2026, the door intermittently failed to open when pushed with the vehicle off and all doors un…”
2026-07-27 · Unknown Or Other“my 2023 santa cruz had 7500 miles when purchased 4/25/26. i have had issues with the screen blackening/fading which cuts of electronics; ex; safety features. this was taken in twice. then the truck loses power. going 55 or 75, suddenly truck drops to 20mph. car's honk, brake & swerve not to hit us. it has been at dealers three times now for same is…”
2026-07-10 · Electrical System“truck dash light would fade/blacken at which time none of safety features would work. this is an intermittent problem but seem like it has happened many times with the santa cruz's in general, so hyundai was aware of problem. they don't seem to fix problems. this is a critical safety failure. no warning just happens. had it happen to my truck abou…”
2026-07-10 · Engine“driving/pulling on interstate speed only went to 20 miles per hour, no more. pulled off and turned truck off, waited and restarted. all fine. no warning was given. short time later engine light came on. called and got appointment at dealers.…”
2026-04-26 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“sudden unintended acceleration: coming to a stop in a driveway and planning to put vehicle in to reverse, the santa cruz suddenly accelerated and kept accelerating ... it would not stop moving, brakes were applied continuously and forcefully, but with no effect. vehicle crashed through shrubbery and small trees into neighbor's yard, over a retain…”
2026-02-22 · Engine“oil leak the oil leak has be too the dealer twice for repair each time they said it was fixed it has now has happend again for the third time in less than 306 miles could cause engine failure at highway speed and engine lockup at such speed first time it was found by dealer after third oil change approx. 15000 miles second 12000 miles later and now…”
2026-01-28 · Exterior Lighting“at least two separate wiring harnesses have failed on my vehicle, affecting the tail lights. my vehicle cannot pass new york state safety inspection because of this issue. safety of myself and other drivers is at risk, especially at night, since my vehicle is not properly illuminated. occasionally, one tail light will go out or flicker. i had one …”
2025-11-02 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“while driving on the highway at a speed of approx 35 mph, no traffic in front of me, i got an audile warning and the car started slowing down, and the message on the dash said emergency braking, this has happened twice in the last month.…”
2025-10-12 · Unknown Or Other“transmission does not advance through its ranges fails to shift leaving stranded middle of intersection. misses a whole range looses excelleration. you…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.