2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Complaints

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 05/01/2026

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds at night on several occasions, the headlights were dim and created a shadow across the roadway. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on multiple occasions. The dealer was initially unable to duplicate the failure but later diagnosed that the driver-side headlight bulb needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer on several occasions. The dealer ultimately deemed the headlight performance normal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200.

ENGINE — Filed 05/06/2026

The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud popping noise was suddenly heard coming from the engine compartment with no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that immediately following the failure, the power steering and brakes became inoperable, making it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment and was able to forcefully maneuver the vehicle to the side of the roadway. Shortly thereafter, the front of the vehicle near the engine compartment caught fire. After the vehicle was pulled over, the check engine warning light and low oil warning light illuminated. The local fire department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire had not yet been determined. The vehicle was extensively damaged and deemed destroyed. No injuries were sustained and no medical attention was required; however, the contact stated that a cough was suffered due to inhalation of smoke and fumes from the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,738.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 03/09/2026

While driving at night I happened to notice that the headlights failed to illuminate the road sufficiently. Specifically, the truck was going downhill. As it approached the bottom and soon to go uphill, I noticed that there was a strict delineation in what was lit up and what was not. Being on a country two lane with no ambient lights and travelling at the posted 55mph I realized that I did not have enough distance to stop safely in the event that something be on the road ahead, e.g., deer. So concentrated is the light that it does not create any vertical illumination. (Picture travelling toward the bottom of a parabola.) I visited the Hyundai dealership in my area the next day. I asked that the headlamps be adjusted (raised) to extend the field of vision. The Service manager told me that there is no adjustment for my headlights. I explained my experience driving without adequate illumination. He did not offer any recourse other than to slow down. I have never had a vehicle that did not have headlight adjustment capability.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 03/01/2026

I was driving on a highway at 55mph at night today 3/1/2026 and all of a sudden the headlights, instrumentation lights, and computer display went out, very scary, the all turned back on about 1.5 seconds later.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 07/01/2025

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that after a month of owning the vehicle, while attempting to start the vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light remained illuminated for approximately four miles and then turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer suggested that the failure could be related to the camera. The contact stated that the camera was replaced. Most recently, the contact stated that after three weeks, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 11/15/2025

I can not disable the Driver Attention Warning (DAW) function on this vehicle. The "Take a Break" warning comes up at random times for no apparent reason. I understand the functionality but it often gives false warnings, distracting me from the driving task. This car needs to the ability to shut off the function, and, like other vehicles, set a time for setting the warning, i.e., every 45 minutes, hour, etc.

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 04/02/2025

This is an ongoing safety issue with a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited. The forward collision-avoidance system activates frequently and without cause during normal driving. The system will engage when another vehicle is simply turning, merging, or slowing down at a traffic light—normal, predictable situations where no emergency braking should occur. These unexpected activations create unsafe conditions, including one incident where the truck was rear-ended due to sudden, unnecessary braking. The issue has occurred more than 50 times over approximately eight months of ownership. The manufacturer has been contacted and stated that this behavior is “by design.” They advised having the vehicle inspected by a dealership, but the local dealership requires leaving the vehicle for diagnostics for up to two days and does not provide loaner vehicles. Because I rely on the vehicle daily for work, this has made inspection difficult. Online reports from other owners appear to describe the same issue with the same model and year. No warning lights, error messages, or other indicators appear before the system activates. I have adjusted the collision-sensitivity settings from high to standard, but the issue persists. There is no option to disable the system entirely. The component is available for inspection upon request.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/20/2025

The contact owned a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while fueling the vehicle, the fuel gauge became inoperable. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed a full tank while driving, regardless of the actual fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel gauge sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred after the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,045.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 10/01/2025

Adaptive Cruze control will not allow use when wearing sun glasses. It will default out of cruze control causing driver distraction, eye strain from sunlight by having to drive while using Cruze control with out sun glasses.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/05/2025

Consider taking a break warning triggers continually; sometimes as frequently as every other minute causing distraction during driving. It has occurred since purchasing vehicle. Dealership says can not disable.