2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 35 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 35 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 10 complaints (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Santa Cruz | 177 | 0 |
| 2023 Santa Cruz | 76 | 1 |
| 2024 Santa Cruz (this page) | 35 | 0 |
| 2025 Santa Cruz | 17 | 0 |
| 2026 Santa Cruz | 4 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard & Optional · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWD Early Release. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · ~$2,500 to fix
- cruise control — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 15,000 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
On one occasion on interstate at highway speed during summer, dry conditions I was driving at approximately 60 mph and was not accelerating while maintaining average pace in traffic. For no apparent reason the engine lost all power. I was forced to drift over in a hazardous…
On 2 separate occasions on the highway at 55+ miles per hour during daylight dry conditions summer temperature the following safety hazard occurred; A car approached the rear of my 2024 hyundai santa crux night 2.5L. while on the highway. The approaching car likely at 25’ and…
Sporadically, when shifting from first to second gear, the engine/transmission will stall, causing a loss of power for several seconds. This is generally when pulling away from a stop sign/light into traffic. I picked a single date below, but this continually happens from time…
while driving my car lost power and slowed on its own from 65 mph down to 45 mph. i had to power/acceleration and all the dashboard codes lit up and the infotainment system had an error messsage. i was force to pull over on the freeway and restart the car to get power to it.…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
On the NHTSA data, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 35 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 10 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Cruz has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 35 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.