2022 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2022 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ has 269 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: when taking off from a stand still the santa cruz will hesitate.. not all the time but it's usually when you need to get into traffic... it will lose power and finally take off.... ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
269
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
TRANSMISSION
88 complaints- • When taking off from a stand still the Santa Cruz will hesitate.. Not all the time but it's usually when you need to get into traffic... It will lose power and finally take off...
- • As other owners have reported, there is an issue that happens, seemingly at random, when accelerating from a stop. The vehicle feels as if it’s stuck in too high of a gear and accelerates very slowly despite high RPMs. The maximum speed I could achieve was 16 MPH after keeping the gas pedal nearly f
- • The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the RPM revved up; however, the vehicle would not exceed 25 MPH. The contact exited the highway and veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that as he turned off and restarted the
“When taking off from a stand still the Santa Cruz will hesitate.. Not all the time but it's usually when you need to get into traffic... It will lose power and finally take off...”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
48 complaints- • E.ngine took longer than normal to start. After starting, I drove 1/4 mile and engine had no power at all. RPM would rev but no power. Pulled over and stopped. Restarted vehicle and everything returned to normal.
- • The main concern is loss of power. Have non-turbo version and have no idea what is a cause of the problem. Probably is computer. Had this issue once or twice. Switched to Normal mode from Smart.
- • Getting an error multiple times under 500 miles. It has been coming and going since 200 miles. Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately. This is going on with multiple Santa cruzs
“E.ngine took longer than normal to start. After starting, I drove 1/4 mile and engine had no power at all. RPM would rev but no power. Pulled over and stopped. Restarted vehicle and everything returned to normal.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
36 complaints- • As other owners have reported, there is an issue that happens, seemingly at random, when accelerating from a stop. The vehicle feels as if it’s stuck in too high of a gear and accelerates very slowly despite high RPMs. The maximum speed I could achieve was 16 MPH after keeping the gas pedal nearly f
- • I was passing on a 2 lane road with the gas pedal to the floor. After I passed the vehicle, still in the passing lane i let off on the gas. At that moment I had no power. Had to brake and get back behind the vehicle I was passing. Thank god there was no on-coming traffic, or I would not be here
- • Loss of power. Car in drive, no snow going to make a right turn on a busy fast street. Typical speeds on this street are 50 +, speed limit is 45. To get out in to traffic you need to have power to get up to traffic speed. So I hit the gas I say 1/4 throttle and started to make a right turn. I had v
“As other owners have reported, there is an issue that happens, seemingly at random, when accelerating from a stop. The vehicle feels as if it’s stuck in too high of a gear and accelerates very slowly despite high RPMs. The maximum speed I could achieve was 16 MPH after keeping the gas pedal nearly f”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
21 complaints- • ALL DASH LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING. OIL, ABS, TIRE PRESSURE, CHECK ENGINE. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP NOW AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME WITH A LOANER AND CONSTANT UPDATES. THEY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CORPORATE AND THEY ADVISED THEM TO CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE AB
- • I purchased a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, Limited edition. The vehicle went into neutral while driving on a busy highway. There was no forward or reverse gear operation. I had to call the local police to block off the lane till a tow truck arrived. After 60 days the dealer finally located the problem.
- • 2022 Santa Cruz 764 miles. Washed vehicle April 1st with hose, water & soap bubbles in grill of DRL. I was told that its a lens cover & not the LED DRL, but it collects and holds water & soap. I can't clean in there. Field service engineer came out, deamed normal by Hyundai, grill & lens are not sea
“ALL DASH LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING. OIL, ABS, TIRE PRESSURE, CHECK ENGINE. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP NOW AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME WITH A LOANER AND CONSTANT UPDATES. THEY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CORPORATE AND THEY ADVISED THEM TO CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE AB”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
20 complaints- • Purchase the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz with under 30 miles. At 329 miles was driving on a road going about 40mph and the big Check Forward Safety System warning light came on inside the tachometer screen. The car started to slow down, and wasn't responding to the gas pedal. Then the dashboard had the
- • Problem 1 - The vehicle has stalled twice at low speed (less than 5 mph). Both times I had just pulled away from a parking space, coasting (or slowing) before a STOP sign and the vehicle dies. It beeps loudly, says shift to Neutral and restart. It did restart both times. This happened both times
- • When pulling out onto a major HWY, the vehicle lost power. Vehicle acted like it was in "neutral" but engine wouldn't rev when pressing gas and rpm was bottomed out. Vehicle then would not shift out correctly.
“Purchase the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz with under 30 miles. At 329 miles was driving on a road going about 40mph and the big Check Forward Safety System warning light came on inside the tachometer screen. The car started to slow down, and wasn't responding to the gas pedal. Then the dashboard had the ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 269 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: When taking off from a stand still the Santa Cruz will hesitate.. Not all the time but it's usually when you need to get into traffic... It will lose power and finally take off...
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: E.ngine took longer than normal to start. After starting, I drove 1/4 mile and engine had no power at all. RPM would rev but no power. Pulled over and stopped. Restarted vehicle and everything returned to normal.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: As other owners have reported, there is an issue that happens, seemingly at random, when accelerating from a stop. The vehicle feels as if it’s stuck in too high of a gear and accelerates very slowly despite high RPMs. The maximum speed I could achieve was 16 MPH after keeping the gas pedal nearly f
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: ALL DASH LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING. OIL, ABS, TIRE PRESSURE, CHECK ENGINE. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP NOW AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME WITH A LOANER AND CONSTANT UPDATES. THEY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CORPORATE AND THEY ADVISED THEM TO CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE AB
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Hyundai SANTA CRUZ — Year Comparison
How does 2022 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 269
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2022 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ