2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz: 3 recalls, 5 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #25V809000 · 2025 · 258 vehicles
What's wrong: The side curtain air bags May not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
Why it matters: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025.
Electrical Vehicle recall #26V047000 · 2026 · 41,651 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a software error, the instrument panel display May fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 101, "controls and displays."
Why it matters: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Forward collision avoidance Vehicle recall #26V316000 · 2026 · 423,062 vehicles
What's wrong: Software in the front cameras May cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Why it matters: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the front camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Lane departure (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Speed control / throttle (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Visibility/Wiper (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 5 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 5 Santa Cruz model years for complaints (well below the 65 average). Complaints peaked in 2026 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 0 years old, at a median of 5 miles. Neighboring years: 2025 (19 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (2), lane departure (2), speed control / throttle (1).
What gas mileage does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.