This page covers 3 recalls, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
25 mpg combined
9.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The 2023 to 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. The truck earned five stars in frontal crash, side crash, and side pole crash tests. It received four stars in rollover testing. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this assessment covers the entire 2023 to 2026 range shown.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 3 recalls, the most serious being a software fault in the front camera system that can trigger automatic emergency braking without warning, raising the risk of a rear-end collision.
The side curtain airbags on certain vehicles may not have been installed correctly, which means they can fail to deploy properly in a side-impact crash, leaving occupants with less protection than the system was designed to provide. There is also an instrument panel software error that can cause the entire display to go blank, taking the speedometer and warning lights with it, which removes information the driver depends on while the vehicle is moving.
At a glance
What can fail
Front camera software may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate unexpectedly and apply the brakes without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the front camera software at no cost to you.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the instrument panel display may cause it to fail, preventing the display from functioning properly.
What the fix does
The instrument panel display software will be updated for free either over-the-air or at a Hyundai dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, preventing them from deploying in a crash as designed.
What the fix does
Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
