MODEL
Hyundai Santa Cruz
NHTSA safety across every Hyundai Santa Cruz model year we cover.
Across the 5 model years of the Hyundai Santa Cruz we cover (2022 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2024 at 88 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2023 at 82. 13 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact sport adventure truck, not a sedan, built on a car-based unibody platform and aimed at active buyers who want pickup-truck utility without the bulk of a traditional truck. Sitting in the emerging lifestyle truck segment, it targets younger households and outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize versatility and a more car-like driving experience alongside an open bed.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz earns a strong safety standing across the 2022 to 2025 model years we track at MotorCaliber. Its best NHTSA Safety Index reaches 88 out of 100 in the 2024 model year, landing firmly in the Strong band. Crash-test performance backs that score up: the best-year results show a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side-impact testing, with a solid 4 out of 5 stars in the rollover category. That rollover result is worth noting for a higher-riding unibody truck, though 4 stars is a respectable outcome for the segment. The recall picture deserves honest attention. Across the four model years we cover, the Santa Cruz has accumulated 10 recalls, including 2 classified as park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns. Those two serious-severity campaigns mean some owners were advised not to use their vehicles until a repair was completed. Shoppers should verify their specific VIN is clear of open recalls at NHTSA.gov before purchase or continued use. Owner complaints total 300 across covered years, with 10 reported crashes, 5 fire-related allegations, and 8 injury reports among them. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed incidents, but the fire-related complaints are a category worth monitoring as the model matures. Bottom line: the Santa Cruz posts genuinely strong crash-test numbers, but its recall count and the severity of two do-not-drive campaigns temper an otherwise encouraging safety picture.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Santa Cruz for its clever blend of car-like ride comfort and genuine truck practicality, calling it a well-executed entry in the lifestyle truck category. Most find the driving dynamics a clear strength, though some note the bed size limits heavy hauling ambitions. Overall professional reception has been broadly positive.
- Two of the 10 recalls across 2022 to 2025 were classified as park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns, meaning affected owners were advised to stop driving their vehicles until the remedy was completed. Always check your VIN at NHTSA.gov for open recalls.
- The Santa Cruz earns 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side-impact crash testing in its best year, giving it a genuinely competitive safety foundation for the compact truck segment.
- The rollover rating of 4 out of 5 stars is a reasonable result for a higher-riding unibody truck, but buyers who frequently carry loads in the bed should be aware that weight distribution can influence real-world rollover dynamics.
- Owner complaints include 5 fire-related allegations across the covered model years. These are unverified reports, not confirmed defects, but shoppers should monitor NHTSA's complaint database and any follow-up investigations as the model accumulates more real-world mileage.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz with 4 recalls.