NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Safety Ratings
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz scores 85 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 3 recalls, and 4 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 85/100, positioning it in the Strong category. This score reflects an otherwise commendable crash-test performance, which is nonetheless tempered by the presence of three active recall campaigns. Prospective owners should ensure all recall-related remedies have been addressed before purchase or delivery.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz received a 5-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100 based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 72 Sedans from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz ranks 60 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 85 / 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 | 4 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 60 of 72 Sedans tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
For the 2026 model year, the Santa Cruz faces a notable challenge in its defect record. Three active recall campaigns are currently in effect for a vehicle just launched, contributing to a Defect Record sub-score of 17 out of 20. These recalls address critical systems: automatic emergency braking, the instrument cluster's electrical system, and curtain airbags. While none of these recalls carry a "park outside" or "do not drive" warning, their broad scope across active safety, electrical, and passive restraint components underscores the importance of verifying all remedies for any prospective owner. The 2026 Santa Cruz achieves an overall Safety Index of 85 out of 100, a two-point decrease from the 2025 model's 87. This places it in the Strong band. Its strength lies in crash protection, evidenced by a sub-score of 66 out of 70. This is anchored by a 5 out of 5-star overall NHTSA rating, with perfect scores in both frontal and side crash tests. However, the vehicle's avoidance technology sub-score of 2 out of 10 represents a significant weakness. While electronic stability control is standard, the absence of listed forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems directly impacts this portion of its safety profile.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz perform in crash tests?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with its strongest performance in frontal and side crash protection, where it achieved perfect 5-star scores. Rollover resistance proved to be the single area not meeting the highest standard, receiving 4 out of 5 stars. This rating reflects a 16 percent rollover risk estimate and a "No Tip" outcome in the dynamic tip test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 21141
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?
Yes, three recall campaigns affect the 2026 Santa Cruz. The first targets automatic emergency braking within the forward collision avoidance system. The second involves the instrument cluster and electrical system. The third covers curtain side and window air bags. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the available campaign data, but all three remain safety-critical issues that require attention.
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL26V047000
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.
Reported 2026-01-27
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Four owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2026 Santa Cruz. The top alleged problem areas are the power train, with two reports, followed by single unverified allegations involving visibility and wipers, steering, lane departure, and vehicle speed control. These are unverified consumer allegations only, not established defects.
4 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Because this is a current-model-year vehicle with three open recall campaigns, any shopper should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before finalizing a purchase. Confirm that all three remedy parts, covering the AEB system, instrument cluster, and curtain air bags, have been installed by an authorized dealer.
- The 2026 Santa Cruz Safety Index dropped two points to 85 compared to the 2025 model's 87, with three active recall campaigns the primary driver of that year-over-year decline.
- Three separate recall campaigns are open on this model year, covering automatic emergency braking, the instrument cluster electrical system, and curtain air bags, an unusually broad recall footprint for a vehicle just entering the market.
- The avoidance technology sub-score of 2 out of 10 reflects the absence of forward collision warning and lane departure warning on this configuration, which is a notable gap given that one of the three recalls directly involves the AEB system.
- NHTSA crash-test results are strong for this year, with 5 stars overall, 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side, and a 4-star rollover score paired with a 16-percent rollover risk and a No Tip dynamic result.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz places
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz safety questions
Was the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 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 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 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 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 4 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Santa Cruz years
Rivals in Sedan (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acura Integra | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2026 Acura Integra Type-S | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Honda Accord | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus IS 350 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Subaru Impreza | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 21141), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Santa Cruz 2026.
- 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 60 of 72 in the Sedan class for 2026.
- 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.