Hyundai Recall Impacts Tucson, Santa Cruz Models Built Before March 2026

Hyundai has announced a new safety recall affecting more than 420,000 units of the Tucson SUV and Santa Cruz pickup in the U.S. The recall includes 2025 and 2026 model year vehicles built before March 2026.

The issue is linked to the forward collision avoidance system, which may suddenly apply the brakes even when there is no obstacle ahead. This is commonly known as phantom braking.

Hyundai Recalls Tucson, Santa Cruz Over Phantom Braking

According to U.S. safety documents, the system may become overly sensitive and incorrectly detect vehicles or objects in front. Sudden braking at normal driving speeds can increase the risk of rear-end collisions.

Hyundai has confirmed four crash incidents related to the issue. Four people were injured, but no fatalities have been reported.

To fix the problem, Hyundai will update the pre-collision braking software. The company says the new calibration will improve activation timing and distance detection.

Owners of affected Tucson and Santa Cruz models will receive recall notices during the summer of 2026. Customers can also check their vehicle VIN on Hyundai’s official recall website.

The recall is expected to affect Canadian Tucson models as well, while the Santa Cruz impact may remain smaller since imports reportedly stopped in mid-2025.