← New search

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Santa Cruz years

Owner complaints for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz are substantially higher than the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 21 of 183 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 90 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

35 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2026
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

In approximately late 2024, at just under 30,000 miles, the vehicle lost motive power while driving on the interstate. Multiple warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost drive shortly afterward, leaving me unable to accelerate in traffic. The vehicle was then serviced under Recall 236 (NHTSA 22V-746) for the 8-speed dual-c…

Read full complaint

In approximately late 2024, at just under 30,000 miles, the vehicle lost motive power while driving on the interstate. Multiple warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost drive shortly afterward, leaving me unable to accelerate in traffic. The vehicle was then serviced under Recall 236 (NHTSA 22V-746) for the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission high-pressure oil pump. The remedy performed was a transmission control unit software update only; the transmission was not replaced. I do not have the exact dates and am reporting these as approximate. The vehicle now has approximately 99,700 miles. It has developed hesitation and dragging on drive-off within the first half mile of every trip and at low speed in town, resolving once the transmission is warm, with no check engine light or warning lamp. The selling dealer had the vehicle approximately 35 days across two repair orders without diagnosing the condition. The repairs performed were a cylinder 3 spark plug/oil repair and dropping and cleaning the fuel tank, neither of which resolved the complaint. I have run non-ethanol fuel exclusively since the vehicle was returned and the condition is unchanged. I am taking the vehicle to a different Hyundai dealer and have opened a case with Hyundai. I am filing this report because the software-only remedy may not be adequate for this transmission. Roughly two years and 70,000 miles after that repair, the same transmission is again showing drivability problems, and other owners may experience the same loss of power.

NHTSA ODI #11763142

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2025
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

2nd replacement DCT transmission failed Loss of power while driving on the interstate , upon acceleration no increase in speed, went from 65mph to 38mph before able to pull off the highway. Intermittently it is not shifting, shuttering, hard reverse shift, hesitation from park into drive

NHTSA ODI #11681408

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

My 2022 Santa Cruz Limited Edition keeps losing power intermittently. No accident yet but very risky to drive.

NHTSA ODI #11671265

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Backup camera doesn't work 50% of the time (black screen) when in reverse OR when it works stays on after being put into drive. Has happened numerous times (over 20). Took to dealer, they said if there's no error code, they can't do anything. (Of course it worked fine the 15min I was at the dealer).

NHTSA ODI #11629181

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Hi, my car is a certified 2022 hyundai santa cruz I've been in touch with hyundai and they're very unhelpful. I'm experiencing jerking while creeping uphill or driving in traffic at low speeds as well as in reverse. and its way worse when i have any bit of load in the bed. its extremely invasive, its really dangerous particularl…

Read full complaint

Hi, my car is a certified 2022 hyundai santa cruz I've been in touch with hyundai and they're very unhelpful. I'm experiencing jerking while creeping uphill or driving in traffic at low speeds as well as in reverse. and its way worse when i have any bit of load in the bed. its extremely invasive, its really dangerous particularly when in reverse, because its hard to modulate the speed properly, when you feather the brakes when rolling into a parking space or reversing to a hook up a trailer it either is dead on power or jerks at a slight speed which makes it difficult to control. this is something that passed hyundai's certified program but concerns me because there is no way its safe. I've lent my car to other people and they were concerned as well. please note i got my brakes and replaced and system bled but the issue persists. additionally I've experienced this issue for over 5000 miles (41k - 47k miles) please consider this complaint because its a legitimate safety issue and i have a feeling its related to this cars transmission woes. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI #11618907

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2024
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

On [XXX] my new 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz’s transmission failed while driving. Vehicle down shifted with a noticeable loss in power and speed. This was a very dangerous condition as I was in traffic when this incident occurred. The vehicle’s odometer shows ONLY 4761 total miles since purchasing this car brand new at Sheehy Hyun…

Read full complaint

On [XXX] my new 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz’s transmission failed while driving. Vehicle down shifted with a noticeable loss in power and speed. This was a very dangerous condition as I was in traffic when this incident occurred. The vehicle’s odometer shows ONLY 4761 total miles since purchasing this car brand new at Sheehy Hyundai in Waldorf, Maryland INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11611216

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2024
Unknown Or Other

My wife and I were driving yesterday afternoon and on the highway we heard a very loud sound and pulled over and it turns out our sun roof glass (on a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz that I lease) seems to have spontaneously shattered. There was no falling debris that we could see, we did not see a rock coming at us, we were not ne…

Read full complaint

My wife and I were driving yesterday afternoon and on the highway we heard a very loud sound and pulled over and it turns out our sun roof glass (on a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz that I lease) seems to have spontaneously shattered. There was no falling debris that we could see, we did not see a rock coming at us, we were not near an over pass from which something might have fallen on the car. As far as I can tell, the glass just shattered for no discernible reason. (I took pictures). I almost lost control of the car it was that loud.

NHTSA ODI #11600081

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2024
Unknown Or Other

I was accelerating onto an interstate and my vehicle would not accelerate. My foot was to the floor on the gas but would not go above 35mph. I had to turn around on a on ramp , drive on the grass and limp my way home at 35 mph. No warning lights appeared.

NHTSA ODI #11579874

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2024
Unknown Or Other

EPB and Auto Hold lights were lit on the instrument cluster in yellow. Power was diminished and once stopped and the car in park, doors would not unlock. Starting and then stopping the car would not reset the lights nor allow the doors to unlock. Fixing the issue requires a second person to raise the hood, and disconnect the po…

Read full complaint

EPB and Auto Hold lights were lit on the instrument cluster in yellow. Power was diminished and once stopped and the car in park, doors would not unlock. Starting and then stopping the car would not reset the lights nor allow the doors to unlock. Fixing the issue requires a second person to raise the hood, and disconnect the positive terminal on the battery to allow the computer to reset. Reconnect the positive battery terminal all the lights were out and more importantly the doors would unlock.

NHTSA ODI #11572576

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

1.Spring 2023 Received a Recall on tow hitch wiring package (may catch on fire)... No solution yet! I was experiencing transmission problems around same time. 2. My Hyundai App warns of transmission problem on 07/22/2023. Took my (19 month old) 2022 Santa Cruz to Preston Hyundai 07/24/2023. Earliest appointment available was s…

Read full complaint

1.Spring 2023 Received a Recall on tow hitch wiring package (may catch on fire)... No solution yet! I was experiencing transmission problems around same time. 2. My Hyundai App warns of transmission problem on 07/22/2023. Took my (19 month old) 2022 Santa Cruz to Preston Hyundai 07/24/2023. Earliest appointment available was scheduled for 08/09/2023 (16 days waiting period). 3. 08/09/2023, at Preston Hyundai, says they must order a new transmission and refuses to give me my truck back claiming it is UNSAFE to Drive (even though I drove it 16 days (over 400 miles) waiting for my service appointment!). Truck has remained at Preston Hyundai since 08/09/2023 and replacement transmission ETA is 10/24/2023, making total time in dealership 76 days to date (or 92 days since being notified on my Hyundai appof transmission problem! Truck has not moved or been started since 08/24/2023. 4. Back on 07/22/2023, I attempted to program Navigation system with "vacation address" but Nav System displayed prompt that Nav it needed a map update. I cleared the "OK" prompt off the display but I started getting "Check Engine" dummy light appearing and other dummy lights appearing! Also my tachometer gauge (also is the right turn signal mirror camera), quit working and started beeping every 10 seconds or so. 5. On 07/24/2023, at Preston Service Dept., I ask them to update Nav System. I was told that it takes too long and they won't do it! (lacking personnel and time and I should do it myself. I researched "How To" and discovered many warnings from owners that their vehicles computer system got messed up attempting the map update. I've been communicating with Hyundai headquarters who suggested I inquire about the "BuyBack" Program at my Dealership! I did inquire on 10/10/2023 and they've never heard of it, but evaluated my truck and offered me $27,000 for my 20 month old truck, leaving me a $15,000 expense for a new 2024 Santa Cruze. 6. I've now contacted a "Lemon Law" Law Firm!

NHTSA ODI #11549354

Official recalls

4

23V181000 · Trailer Hitches

Mar 17, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.

23V038000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Structure:critical Fasteners

Jan 31, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 241.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:critical Fasteners

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.

Consequence: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 241.

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.

Consequence: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 241.

22V746000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 6, 2022

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.

22V197000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pipes, Hoses, And Fittings

Mar 28, 2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pipes, Hoses, And Fittings

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

Consequence: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

Consequence: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.