The Santa Cruz's documented problems are safety recalls, not a known engine defect. The most important are a tow-hitch wiring fire risk with park-outside advice (23V181), unexpected automatic braking from front-camera software on 2025–2026 trucks (26V316) and a 2022 transmission fail-safe that may not work (22V746). All are repaired free by Hyundai dealers.
CarWhere lists 9 documented Santa Cruz issues, including 9 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.
NX4a OB (2022–present) Santa Cruz problems
Tow-hitch wiring module can short and catch fire; park outside (recall 23V181) (Santa Cruz models listed in the 2019–2023 campaign)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- Santa Cruz models listed in the 2019–2023 campaign
- Powertrain:
- All, when fitted with a factory or dealer tow-hitch harness
Water can collect on the circuit board of the tow-hitch wiring module and cause a short circuit and fire, whether the truck is parked or moving. It applies to trucks with a hitch harness fitted at the factory or bought from a Hyundai dealer. Dealers install a new fuse and wire extension kit, free of charge. The 584,784-vehicle count mostly covers 2019–2023 Santa Fe models.
Symptoms
- Trailer lights not working
- Burning smell near the rear
Check before buying
- Check whether a tow-hitch harness is fitted
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Until the repair is confirmed, follow the recall advice to park outside and away from buildings
NHTSA recall: 23V181 (2023-03-17) · 584,784 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [1]
Forward collision system may brake unexpectedly (recall 26V316) (2025–2026)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2025–2026
- Powertrain:
- All
Front-camera software can make the forward collision-avoidance system trigger too early and brake when nothing is there. Dealers update the camera software, free of charge. The 423,062-vehicle count is mostly Tucson models.
Symptoms
- Sudden automatic braking with no obstacle ahead
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 26V316 (2026-05-19) · 423,062 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [2]
Transmission fail-safe may not work, cutting drive power (recall 22V746) (2022)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022
- Powertrain:
- Not specified in the recall
If the transmission oil pump malfunctions, the limited-mobility 'fail-safe' drive mode may not work, which can lead to a complete loss of drive power. Dealers inspect and replace the transmission as needed and update its control software, free of charge. The 56,148-vehicle count also covers Santa Fe, Sonata and N models.
Symptoms
- Transmission warning light
- Sudden loss of drive
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 22V746 (2022-10-06) · 56,148 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [3]
Turbocharger oil supply pipe can crack and leak (recall 22V197) (2022)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022
The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger can crack and leak oil in the engine compartment, where hot engine or exhaust parts could ignite it. Dealers replace the pipe, free of charge. Only 16 vehicles were involved, including some 2022 Santa Fe models.
Symptoms
- Oil smell or smoke from the engine bay
- Oil residue around the turbocharger
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 22V197 (2022-03-28) · 16 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [4][5]
Console wiring can let the truck shift out of Park without braking (recall 24V877) (2025)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2025
- Powertrain:
- All
The console extension wiring may be routed wrongly, which lets the transmission shift out of Park without the brake pedal pressed and can lead to a rollaway. Hyundai advises using the parking brake until dealers reroute the wiring, free of charge. The 42,465-vehicle count also includes the 2025 Tucson.
Symptoms
- Shifter leaves Park without pressing the brake
Check before buying
- Always set the parking brake until the fix is confirmed
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 24V877 (2024-11-20) · 42,465 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [6]
Power steering circuit board can short (recall 24V412) (2024)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2024
- Powertrain:
- All
The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering unit can short-circuit, which takes away power steering assist. Dealers replace the steering's electric power pack, free of charge. The 795-vehicle count also includes the 2024 Tucson.
Symptoms
- Steering suddenly becomes heavy
- Power steering warning light
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 24V412 (2024-06-05) · 795 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [7]
Side curtain air bags may not deploy as intended (recall 25V809) (2025–2026)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2025–2026
- Powertrain:
- All
The side curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, so they might not deploy as designed in a crash. Dealers reinstall the air bags, free of charge. The 258-vehicle count covers the whole campaign, including Tucson, Santa Fe and Genesis GV70 models.
Symptoms
- No warning signs before a crash
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 25V809 (2025-11-21) · 258 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [8]
Roof moldings may detach (recall 23V038) (2022–2023)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2022–2023
- Powertrain:
- All
The roof moldings may come loose and fall off, creating a road hazard for other drivers. Dealers inspect and replace or secure the moldings, free of charge. The 16,104-vehicle count also covers the 2022 Tucson.
Symptoms
- Loose or lifting trim strip on the roof
- Wind noise from the roofline
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 23V038 (2023-01-31) · 16,104 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [9]
Instrument panel display may fail (recall 26V047) (2026)
Safety recall- Generation:
- NX4a OB (2022–present)
- Years:
- 2026
- Powertrain:
- All
A software error can make the instrument panel display fail, so it may not show the speedometer or warning lights. That means it does not meet the federal controls-and-displays standard (FMVSS 101). The display software is updated over the air or by a dealer, free of charge.
Symptoms
- Blank or frozen instrument cluster
Check before buying
- Confirm the display software update is installed
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
NHTSA recall: 26V047 (2026-01-27) · 41,651 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [10]