The push-to-open fuel filler door repeatedly failed to release, preventing refueling. The door locks through an electronic actuator tied to the central locking system, and there is no interior lever or owner-accessible manual override. Beginning in August 2026, the door intermittently failed to open when pushed with the vehicle off and all doors unlocked. Cycling lock/unlock on the key fob while pressing the door sometimes freed it after several minutes; other times it would not open at all. No warning lamps or messages preceded the failures. A door that will not release means the vehicle cannot be refueled, which can strand the driver or cause a loss of motive power in traffic. Owners of other 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles report the same failure online, including at least one tow after an owner could not refuel. An authorized Hyundai dealer inspected the vehicle twice. On 08/29/2026 (24,410 miles) the dealer could not reproduce the concern and lubricated the latch pins. The failure returned within days. On 09/09/2026 (24,520 miles) the dealer confirmed the concern, found the electronic release motor had failed and the door housing assembly seized, and replaced the housing (part 81595-K5500) under the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, documenting the repair with photos per Hyundai's warranty policy. The failed component remained with the dealer; both repair orders are available on request. Hyundai already addresses this failure on the related Tucson: TSB 25-BE-021H covers the same fuel filler door release actuator on 2022-2024 models, and its official repair video is titled for both the Tucson and Santa Cruz, indicating a shared component and known failure mode. No Santa Cruz bulletin or remedy has been published. I ask NHTSA to track this as a defect trend.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763194 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

my 2023 Santa Cruz had 7500 miles when purchased 4/25/26. I have had issues with the screen blackening/fading which cuts of electronics; ex; safety features. This was taken in twice. Then the truck loses power. Going 55 or 75, suddenly truck drops to 20mph. Car's honk, brake & swerve not to hit us. It has been at dealers three times now for same issue. Since I've owned vehicle, it has been at dealer for 29 days tomorrow and it is still there. The truck is a death trap, always something wrong.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11753189 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

While driving on the highway at a speed of approx 35 mph, no traffic in front of me, I got an audile warning and the car started slowing down, and the message on the dash said EMERGENCY BRAKING, this has happened twice in the last month.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11697025 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

1- Air bag light randomly comes on and off. 2- Today (5.20.25) I brought it to dealer. Dealer said they disconnected the sensor switch and cleaned it, then reconnected and light went off (covered under warranty). 3- I got in the truck, started it, and light was off. 4- I drove one block and airbag light came on again. 5- Returned to dealer, who asked me to leave the car with them. 6- Dealer called and said they will replace air bag (did not specify which one). I hope this solves the problem. 7- I checked a Santa Cruz forum: [XXX] and it looks like A LOT of people have the same problem. Some report it's the sensor assembly underneath the seat. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11662130 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

This has happened twice in the last 3 months of owning this vehicle. Both times were luckily in uncrowded slow speed areas, and I had nothing in the bed. First time was in a parking lot (without my tonneau installed), the Most recent incident happened as I was reversing out of my driveway and as I Put my Vehicle in Drive slowly moving forward my Tailgate opened Unexpectedly (with a tonneau installed). My tail Gate Did not open fast, it was its standard controlled open.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11635010 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

This vehicle has a design flaw with the grill opening. I had a whole in radiator that cost $1700 from road debris hitting it. Now 3 months later I am putting out $1400 to replace air conditioning condenser for the same reason. The openings for the grill that is supposed to protect these components are to large.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11603981 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov