Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Lane departure | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I’m concerned about the power brakes I’ve received these faults a few times. DTC DTC System DTC Sub System C184987 CHASSIS LKAS Also there are reports online that other owners have experienced this issue with their S
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Contact owns 2024 Honda Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving 45 mph on the highway vehicle wasn't responding while accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated there was no warning lights on vehicle before
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
On [XXX], while I was travelling South on [XXX] in Washington, while towing. My Emergency Brake/Forward Collision Avoidance system activated. Very briefly but enough to give me a shock. There was no reason for this to
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
My issue is that the lane keeping system was much too sensitive. I would be riding at highway speeds and the car would pull suddenly to the right or left. This was an intermittent problem but when I took it in wanting an
NHTSA complaint: Lane departure
WHILE DRIVING ON I-81 UP A STEEP GRADE, TRUCK SUFFERED A SUDDEN POWER LOSS, WITH SPEED DROPPING TO 35 MPH FROM 65 MPH. ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN SPEED FAILED AND IT FELT LIKE TRUCK DOWNSHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. 35 MPH CONTINUE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I was at a stop sign leave a store and I started going again and when I got to 15 mph it like it went into neutral and I thought maybe I hit shifter in neutral but didn't and I went to go again did same thing but then ju
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I purchased the vehicle in September of 2025 I called and sent text message to Palmer Hyundai of Mobile to report an issue with forward Collision System (please note Photos and document would not attach so i sent an emai
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
Very strong fuel smell coming from parked vehicle after filling the Gas Tank. After driving 40 miles to remove approximately 1/4 of a the Tank, fumes are gone. 1/06/2026: Took Truck to closest Dealership. Burlington Hyun
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-3
| Reliability raw | 96 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 86 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 49 | below average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 42 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 6 of them (17%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 96/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 86/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2024 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.