2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)1123.4%
- Driver assistance1123.4%
- Engine612.8%
- Fuel system48.5%
- Brakes36.4%
- Electrical36.4%
- Airbags24.3%
- Steering24.3%
- Body & structure12.1%
- Seat belts12.1%
- Tires & wheels12.1%
- Suspension12.1%
- Exterior lighting12.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON I-81 UP A STEEP GRADE, TRUCK SUFFERED A SUDDEN POWER LOSS, WITH SPEED DROPPING TO 35 MPH FROM 65 MPH. ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN SPEED FAILED AND IT FELT LIKE TRUCK DOWNSHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. 35 MPH CONTINUED UNTIL I DECIDED TO USE TRUCK CRUISE CONTROL TO ATTEMPT TO GAIN SPEED. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT TRACTOR TRAILERS HITTING ME DUE TO LOW SPEED. FINALLY GOT VEHICLE TO 65 MPH BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 65 MPH. RODE THAT WAY FOR 100 MILES ( TRIP HOME WAS ~ 200 MILES) FINALLY IN LIGHTER TRAFFIC WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE, I TRIED TO USE GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED.AND IT WORKED. RODE THE LAST 100 MILES NORMALLY. I WAS AT GREAT RISK WHEN TRUCK WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 35 MPH. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT VEHICLE SUFFERED IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS.. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOISE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAD NO WARNING LAMPS TO WARN ME IN BOTH INSTANCES.
I was at a stop sign leave a store and I started going again and when I got to 15 mph it like it went into neutral and I thought maybe I hit shifter in neutral but didn't and I went to go again did same thing but then jump into next gear got cat home I bought this car brand new I only got 33000 miles
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I’m concerned about the power brakes I’ve received these faults a few times. DTC DTC System DTC Sub System C184987 CHASSIS LKAS Also there are reports online that other owners have experienced this issue with their Santa Cruz’s Some reporting dealers lack of concern. Diagnostics History My vehicle Last Reported Original Date Mileage Status DTC DTC System DTC Sub System 02/23/26 02/20/26 572 C184987 CHASSIS LKAS This refers to the vacuum pump that controls the power brakes. When applied the brake pedal becomes firm. When this code is triggered, your vehicle will likely illuminate warning lights on your dashboard, such as the ABS and ESC warning lights. You might experience a change in how the brake pedal feels or a temporary deactivation of cruise control or stability features. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C184987 is a chassis-specific trouble code that typically points to a fault in the vehicle's braking or stability control system.
Contact owns 2024 Honda Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving 45 mph on the highway vehicle wasn't responding while accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated there was no warning lights on vehicle before incident happen and that contact had to turn off and on the vehicle to make it function. correctly. The contact was able to contact dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated this has been a recurring event on vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Upon starting the vehicle is doesn't act normal and when placed In drive it feels like brakes are applied and it doesn't want to hardly move even when pressing the throttle all the way down. This has also happens a couple times when at a stop and have to pull over and turn the vehicle off and restart. My so. Drives this vehicle and I feel this is a huge safety concern if he is able to get the vehicle moving and can get to a safe spot to shutdown and restart.
We purchased our 2024 Santa Cruz [XXX]. On [XXX] the Santa Cruz we purchased from Korum Hyundai Dealership died on the highway as my husband and I were heading to town through the mountains. We had to roll to the side of the road as the Santa Cruz just lost all power and would not accelerate, it just died and lost power. I thought it was a fluke. My husband was driving. I asked if he had hit a button or something, he said no. Turned the ignition to off and he restarted the Santa Cruz and it turned on. On Saturday, [XXX], driving on [XXX] , heading west from Glenoma, Washington to Morton, Washington driving approx 60 mph when the Santa Cruz lost all power again driving down the highway. It was a very dangerous situation! We have logging trucks and semi trucks up and down that highway going speeds of 60 mph and more! I lost all power and had to roll to the side of the road in the Santa Cruz. Some of that stretch of highway does not even have places to pull over and some of that highway has metal guard rails as well as drop off cliffs. EXTREMELY HAZORDOUS SITUATION to have the Santa Cruz simply lose all power going down the highway! On this date the Santa Cruz had 4522 miles on it. I looked at the dash panel to see if there were any warning lights and made a point to look at the mileage. There were no warning lights. Nor warning messages. April 3rd the 2024 Santa Cruz Night was dropped of at the Korum Hyundai Service Dept. The dealership has had the vehicle for 3 weeks and states they cannot replicate the problem. There are no warning lights. Since then I have been on Hyundai Forums and have multiple people tell me the exact same situation has happened to them. They ended up finding out it was the fuel injectors. The forums also stated that the dealership could not replicate the issue when take to service department for other owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON I-81 UP A STEEP GRADE, TRUCK SUFFERED A SUDDEN POWER LOSS, WITH SPEED DROPPING TO 35 MPH FROM 65 MPH. ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN SPEED FAILED AND IT FELT LIKE TRUCK DOWNSHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. 35 MPH CONTINUED UNTIL I DECIDED TO USE TRUCK CRUISE CONTROL TO ATTEMPT TO GAIN SPEED. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT TRACTOR TRAILERS HITTING ME DUE TO LOW SPEED. FINALLY GOT VEHICLE TO 65 MPH BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 65 MPH. RODE THAT WAY FOR 100 MILES ( TRIP HOME WAS ~ 200 MILES) FINALLY IN LIGHTER TRAFFIC WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE, I TRIED TO USE GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED.AND IT WORKED. RODE THE LAST 100 MILES NORMALLY. I WAS AT GREAT RISK WHEN TRUCK WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 35 MPH. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT VEHICLE SUFFERED IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS.. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOISE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAD NO WARNING LAMPS TO WARN ME IN BOTH INSTANCES.
Very strong fuel smell coming from parked vehicle after filling the Gas Tank. After driving 40 miles to remove approximately 1/4 of a the Tank, fumes are gone. 1/06/2026: Took Truck to closest Dealership. Burlington Hyundai Nj and they had it for 3 days. (The Tank was not Full) and they didn't find anything wrong. They still have not given me any documents on what the checked. They said I would get it by E-Mail. I purchased the vehicle from Hyundai of Trenton Nj and they are not getting back to me on when I can bring it in. I can not park in or even near my garage.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I’m concerned about the power brakes I’ve received these faults a few times. DTC DTC System DTC Sub System C184987 CHASSIS LKAS Also there are reports online that other owners have experienced this issue with their Santa Cruz’s Some reporting dealers lack of concern. Diagnostics History My vehicle Last Reported Original Date Mileage Status DTC DTC System DTC Sub System 02/23/26 02/20/26 572 C184987 CHASSIS LKAS This refers to the vacuum pump that controls the power brakes. When applied the brake pedal becomes firm. When this code is triggered, your vehicle will likely illuminate warning lights on your dashboard, such as the ABS and ESC warning lights. You might experience a change in how the brake pedal feels or a temporary deactivation of cruise control or stability features. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C184987 is a chassis-specific trouble code that typically points to a fault in the vehicle's braking or stability control system.
On [XXX], while I was travelling South on [XXX] in Washington, while towing. My Emergency Brake/Forward Collision Avoidance system activated. Very briefly but enough to give me a shock. There was no reason for this to be activated, traffic was moving along, no one was closely in front of me, fortunately no one was right behind me. I discovered upon returning home that there was just issued a recall for this reason on 2025-2026 Santa Cruz vehicles. Mine is a 2024. I called the dealership, no coverage for the update for my truck yet. There was another recall that I was not notified about for an software update on my oil pump, which I will have done tomorrow. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I’m concerned about the power brakes I’ve received these faults a few times. DTC DTC System DTC Sub System C184987 CHASSIS LKAS Also there are reports online that other owners have experienced this issue with their Santa Cruz’s Some reporting dealers lack of concern. Diagnostics History My vehicle Last Reported Original Date Mileage Status DTC DTC System DTC Sub System 02/23/26 02/20/26 572 C184987 CHASSIS LKAS This refers to the vacuum pump that controls the power brakes. When applied the brake pedal becomes firm. When this code is triggered, your vehicle will likely illuminate warning lights on your dashboard, such as the ABS and ESC warning lights. You might experience a change in how the brake pedal feels or a temporary deactivation of cruise control or stability features. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C184987 is a chassis-specific trouble code that typically points to a fault in the vehicle's braking or stability control system.
See attached document for complaint.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driver 1 will be the Hyundai Santa Cruz traveling northbound on [XXX] at [XXX] . Driver 2 crossed [XXX] 1 directly in front of my vehicle causing extensive damage to the vehicle as well as injuries to the occupants. Vehicle 1 was [XXX] months old at the time. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! All airbags of the #2 vehicle deployed, ALL. Driver 1, was driving 45 mph northbound and never had a chance to slow down, impact was to the right front quarter panel of vehicle 1 to the left rear quarter panel of vehicle 2. The impact sent vehicle 1, the HYUNDAI, onto two wheels and into center media of [XXX] 1. As it rolled over the Dodge caravans left rear tire. The Passenger in vehicle 1, struck the passenger door and the dashboard on the passenger side as well as hitting her knee on the under dash area. The driver was thrown across and struck the passenger occupant on the left side and continued into the passenger. The point of this report is that the airbags never deployed and I have discovered this is a pending lawsuit by several attorneys. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Another driver ran a red light and hit a vehicle in front of me, which spun and impacted the right front corner of my truck. Impact did not seem that severe, my air bags did not deploy but both front seat belts were locked up after the accident. My damage seemed just cosmetic, grill, bumper, hood and right front fender & headlight were damaged. At repair shop, they determined that the right front frame rail was damaged and the vehicle is totaled, almost $19,000 to repair which is above Geicos’ 75% limit. If the impact was enough to damage the frame rail, why didn’t the air bags deploy?? I do not have an electronic copy of police report or damage assessment, only paper copy.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while in the process of towing the vehicle on a tow dolly, the contact attempted to steer the steering wheel to verify that the steering wheel was locked, but the steering wheel was not locked and could be turned. The contact stated that the Owner's Manual stated that the steering wheel would lock while the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the steering wheel had failed to lock while the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased with the intention of towing the vehicle on a tow dolly as necessary, but the contact had stopped towing the vehicle to prevent an accident. The dealer contacted the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer informed the dealer that the vehicle was operating as designed and could not be towed on a tow dolly. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
When the lane keeping assistant is operating, a constant, fairly loud buzzing sound emanates from the steering column, accompanied by a slight vibration on the steering wheel. When driving at low speeds and in traffic jams, this makes you nervous and distracts you from driving. The dealership cannot identify the problem and determine the cause. This sound has not been noticed on other cars of this brand
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
On [XXX] I was in Pennsylvania packing my car to make a trip back home to New Hampshire. I closed the tailgate and it fell off and hit the bumper which dented the tailgate. i was able to put it up on the truck. When I checked further I was able to put it back but stopped often on my 7 hour trip to make sure it was latched. I was never informed that this could happen and my sales person and customer service for Hyundai was not aware of this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Another driver ran a red light and hit a vehicle in front of me, which spun and impacted the right front corner of my truck. Impact did not seem that severe, my air bags did not deploy but both front seat belts were locked up after the accident. My damage seemed just cosmetic, grill, bumper, hood and right front fender & headlight were damaged. At repair shop, they determined that the right front frame rail was damaged and the vehicle is totaled, almost $19,000 to repair which is above Geicos’ 75% limit. If the impact was enough to damage the frame rail, why didn’t the air bags deploy?? I do not have an electronic copy of police report or damage assessment, only paper copy.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The tire split on the sidewall from tread area to almost where it touches the metal rim it is mounted on.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop and then accelerating, there was an abnormal, creaking sound coming from the suspension. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed that the failure was related to an aftermarket lift kit that was installed on the vehicle prior to the contact owning the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer for weeks. The contact was provided a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 600.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night and approaching either an incline or decline, the contact became aware that the headlamps failed to provide adequate top and bottom coverage of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who adjusted the headlamps, tilting the headlights further upward. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the headlights were readjusted, but the headlights failed to provide adequate illumination. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 1,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .