Before you buy
This 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 74 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 74 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Santa Cruz
- Model year
- 2023
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 74
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 21 / 25
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
Common problems
Most common 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
This HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ has 74 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 2 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 74 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 2 federal recall campaigns
- 2 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Full breakdown
All 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 11 | — | 2 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Trailer Hitches | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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…
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…
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 illumin…
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.
Transmission does not advance through its ranges fails to shift leaving stranded middle of intersection. Misses a whole range looses excelleration. You
Hyundai Santa Cruz with transmission problems. 5 attempts to repair and manufacture failed to. Last time, vehicle had a sudden transmission failure while driving. Car stop responding to acceleration and transmission was not switching gears, that could had cause loss of control, e…
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while hauling a trailer and attempting to accelerate at various speeds, the vehicle was bouncing, and the tires was losing traction before being able to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to r…
The contact owned a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while exiting the vehicle to go into a store, he looked back and noticed the vehicle was on fire. No warning lights illuminated. The contact mentioned he noticed the fire was coming from the rear driver's side q…
On [XXX], I went out to start my 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz (SC) to leave work to go home. It was difficult to start, however, it started. As I entered [XXX] , i was nearly rear ended by another car, because my SC lost all acceleration. I turned on my hazards for SAFETY and then …
car flashes transmission low fluid and gives a code of p193b-79. when trans downshifts upshifts will not happened. to clear the problem you have to turn car off and on , and then normal operation resumes, but shifting is now slower. and sluggish. this is the second transmi…
1- Air bag light randomly comes on and off. 2- Today (5.20.25) I brought it to dealer. Dealer said they disconnected the sensor switch and cleaned it, then reconnected and light went off (covered under warranty). 3- I got in the truck, started it, and light was off. 4- I drove on…
Received error code P030300 and the third cylinder fuel injector had to be replaced. There is approximately 36000 miles on the vehicle.
Oil filter cap oil leak problem. Typical problem with this vehicles that require attention. These defective oil leak caps are a safety and environmental concern. The engine almost starved of oil while driving on the highway. Manufacturer has been contacted and are not proact…
The system that failed was electrical near or in the Tow Hitch which caused the vehicle fire. Vehicle is available for inspection at Auto Body Evolution Essex MD. The car caught fire in the back of the vehicle while parked in Owner's driveway and engine off. Neighbor pounded o…
The emergency brake system comes on while driving 60 - 70 miles an hour on freeway. It has happened twice. It does not happen every time I drive 60 - 70. The light comes on stating Emergency Braking and my vehicle slows down. It does not last for very long then goes away. I …
My coolant reservoir was so low that there was less than 8oz of coolant left in the tank. I contacted my local Hyundai dealership and had them service my Santa Cruz. The service techs at the dealership told me that there was a known issue with some of the factory coolant reservoi…
Vehice experienced FULL power loss several times. Truck taken to dealership and stated no problem found. Incident happened again a week later. Determined wires can become lose from battery terminals for no reason.
I am experiencing shuddering when accelerating from stop.
Lower Average Fuel Consumption than advertised. 10mpg
Electric parking brake, driving at 70mph on freeway and Electric parking brake engaged. Almost lost control of vehicle and crashed. Stopped vehicle and turned ignition off let sit for 3 minutes and restarted. Problem cleared able to drive home with out issues. Called dealership t…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Safety recalls
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
TRAILER HITCHES
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 74 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. This HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (25 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (19 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (11 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 74 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. A major recall area is STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. 2 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?▾
This HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Cruz reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.