Before you buy
This 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 16 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB.
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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2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2025 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. 4 trims analysed.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
16.4% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
16.4% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 16 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Santa Cruz
- Model year
- 2025
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 16
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 24
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 21 / 29
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Electrical Faults
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Complaint patterns center on Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB, Electrical Faults, Headlight/Taillight Failures. 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 2025 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 2025 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 2025 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 16 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 3 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 16 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 3 federal recall campaigns
- 1 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 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Lane Departure | 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 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud popping noise was suddenly heard coming from the engine compartment with no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that immediately following the failure, th…
While driving at night I happened to notice that the headlights failed to illuminate the road sufficiently. Specifically, the truck was going downhill. As it approached the bottom and soon to go uphill, I noticed that there was a strict delineation in what was lit up and what was…
I was driving on a highway at 55mph at night today 3/1/2026 and all of a sudden the headlights, instrumentation lights, and computer display went out, very scary, the all turned back on about 1.5 seconds later.
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that after a month of owning the vehicle, while attempting to start the vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the Forward Collisio…
I can not disable the Driver Attention Warning (DAW) function on this vehicle. The "Take a Break" warning comes up at random times for no apparent reason. I understand the functionality but it often gives false warnings, distracting me from the driving task. This car needs to the…
This is an ongoing safety issue with a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited. The forward collision-avoidance system activates frequently and without cause during normal driving. The system will engage when another vehicle is simply turning, merging, or slowing down at a traffic light—…
The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while fueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge became inoperable. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed a full tank while driving, regardless of the actual fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, …
Adaptive Cruze control will not allow use when wearing sun glasses. It will default out of cruze control causing driver distraction, eye strain from sunlight by having to drive while using Cruze control with out sun glasses.
Consider taking a break warning triggers continually; sometimes as frequently as every other minute causing distraction during driving. It has occurred since purchasing vehicle. Dealership says can not disable.
Make: Hyundai • Model: Santa Cruz • Year: 2025 • Trim: Limited • Mileage: 2600 miles • Date of Purchase: July 2025 Description of the Problem: I am reporting a safety issue with the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system on my 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited, which unexpecte…
-Brake pedal feels unsmooth in temperatures below 75-80 (mainly below 70) degrees as well as extremely noisy squeaking / creaking sounds accompanied. Inspection is always available. -I currently don't believe there is any safety risk to the issue I'm experiencing, but rather tha…
Since day one of purchasing the vehicle brand new, the Automatic Emergency Braking engages for basically no reason. The system is way too sensitive and will engage the brakes out of nowhere. This is very dangerous because the vehicle will come to a stop and it's only a matter of …
After driving vehicle for 20-30 minutes. I receive on the dashboard an error message that the Driver Assistance System is not working properly. This has happen even if the sensor is clear of any type of debris or objects.
Vehicle is constantly slamming on the brakes when leaving a parking garage. Users have to turn the feature off every single time we enter our vehicle instead of it being saved to our profile. 2023 model allowed us to select warning sound only if we preferred. I'd hate to see this…
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a Driver Forward Attention Warning system. The steering column has a camera that monitors the driver's eyes and face to make sure the driver is watching the road while the cruise control is engaged. The feature shuts down the cruise control if it asse…
While driving at highway speeds with Smart Cruise Control set during the day I put on sunglasses and the driver attention system turned off the system 6 seconds later. I repeated this event set several times at various speeds and driving conditions with the same 6 second failure …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Safety recalls
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. 3 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 16 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 3 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 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?▾
#1: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (9 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (3 complaints). #3: Headlight/Taillight Failures (2 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 16 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. 3 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 2025 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 Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB 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 2025 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.