NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Safety Ratings
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz scores 87 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 3 recalls, and 16 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz achieved a strong overall rating from NHTSA for crash protection. This performance underpins its NHTSA Safety Index of 87/100, placing it in the Strong band. Potential owners must account for three active recall campaigns. One of these campaigns specifically addresses the automatic emergency braking system, a critical safety feature.
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 87 out of 100 and a 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 90 Sedans from 2025 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz ranks 65 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 87 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.4% |
| Recalls on file | 3 |
| Owner complaints | 16 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 65 of 90 Sedans tested for 2025 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2025 Santa Cruz achieved a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, along with 5-star frontal and side crash ratings. Its crash protection sub-score, at 66 out of 70, reflects these strong results. However, a Safety Index score of 87 out of 100 marks a one-point decrease from the 2024 model year's 88, pushing it to the lower end of the Strong band. This decline can largely be attributed to the defect record, which scored 15.5 out of 20 due to three recall campaigns. The avoidance technology sub-score of 5 out of 10 represents a weaker area for the vehicle. This is particularly concerning given that forward collision warning and lane departure warning are standard equipment. One recall specifically addresses automatic emergency braking, directly implicating active-safety hardware intended to support these warnings. Furthermore, nine of 16 unverified owner complaints also relate to Forward Collision Avoidance, establishing a consistent pattern of concern across both official recalls and owner reports.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz perform in crash tests?
The 2025 Santa Cruz achieved the highest possible ratings from NHTSA in overall, frontal, and side crash tests, each scoring 5 out of 5 stars. Its rollover protection was rated 4 out of 5 stars, with a 16 percent rollover risk and a "No Tip" result in the dynamic tip test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20589
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?
Three recall campaigns cover the 2025 Santa Cruz. The first targets forward collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking. The second involves side and curtain air bags. The third addresses console extension wiring routing in the electrical system. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the provided campaign data, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING26V316000
Risk: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the front camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 302. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 20, 2026.
Reported 2026-05-19
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN25V809000
Risk: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.
Reported 2025-11-21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING24V877000
Risk: A transmission that can shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to use the parking brake when parking the vehicle. Dealers will reroute the console extension wiring assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 273.
Reported 2024-11-20
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Sixteen unverified owner allegations have been submitted to NHTSA for this model year. The most frequently reported component is Forward Collision Avoidance, cited in 9 of those alleged complaints. Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, and Service Brakes follow. One alleged crash and one alleged fire appear in the filings. All are unverified consumer allegations.
16 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
All three recall campaigns issued for this one-year-old model, addressing automatic emergency braking, curtain airbags, and electrical wiring, necessitate verification of their remedy before purchase. An open recall on safety-critical systems presents a concrete concern for both negotiation and occupant safety.
- The 2025 Santa Cruz carries three active NHTSA recall campaigns, covering automatic emergency braking, side and curtain air bags, and console wiring, making VIN-level recall verification a required step for this specific model year.
- The Safety Index slipped one point to 87 from the 2024 model year's 88, with the defect record sub-score of 15.5 out of 20 reflecting the recall activity unique to this production year.
- Nine of 16 unverified NHTSA complaints for this model year allege problems with Forward Collision Avoidance, a pattern that aligns directly with the open AEB recall campaign and warrants close attention.
- Rollover protection scored 4 out of 5 stars with a 16 percent rollover risk and a No Tip result in dynamic testing, the only crash-test category where the 2025 Santa Cruz fell short of a perfect five-star result.
RANKINGSWhere the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz places
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz safety questions
Was the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 87 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 16 owner complaints are on file for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Santa Cruz years
Rivals in Sedan (2025)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Audi A4 Allroad | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Audi S4 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Cadillac CT5 | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2025 Polestar 2 | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2025 Subaru Impreza | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 20589), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Santa Cruz 2025.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 65 of 90 in the Sedan class for 2025.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.