Owners have reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to NHTSA for the 2022 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints82
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the powertrain of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, primarily involving transmission malfunctions and loss of power. Common symptoms include the vehicle failing to accelerate, shuddering, difficulty shifting, and unexpected downshifting, often accompanied by warning lights or error codes. These issues typically arise around 30,000 to 40,000 miles, with some occurring as early as 11 months of ownership. Safety implications are significant, as some drivers experience sudden power loss on highways, creating potential hazards. Prospective buyers should be aware of unresolved transmission problems that persist despite repairs and may impact vehicle reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints21
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz frequently report issues related to intermittent power loss and transmission problems. Symptoms include the vehicle failing to accelerate properly, with the engine revving but the speed not increasing, and instances where the car enters a "limp mode," limiting speed to around 35 mph. These issues are noted at various mileages, with some reports occurring as early as 200 miles. Additionally, there are multiple accounts of the sunroof glass spontaneously shattering without apparent cause. Safety implications include near-accidents due to sudden power loss and potential hazards from detached roof moldings. These complaints suggest potential risks for used car buyers to consider.
Owner complaints15
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with the fuel injectors in the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with symptoms such as rough engine operation, misfiring, and check engine lights, often occurring around 20,000 to 30,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle entering limp mode, which limits power and can leave drivers stranded or requiring a tow. Some owners describe prolonged repair times and difficulties in getting issues replicated or covered under warranty. Safety implications arise from reports of engine stalling and loss of power while driving, which could pose risks on highways. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers considering this model, especially regarding the engine's fuel injection system.
Owner complaints14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2022 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. Commonly mentioned problems include backup camera malfunctions, where the camera either displays a black screen or remains on after shifting out of reverse. Multiple complaints highlight a recall related to the towing package wiring harness, which poses a fire risk, though a fix has not been provided yet. Other issues include erratic engine behavior, such as sudden loss of power or high idle speeds, and electrical warnings like all dash lights illuminating without clear cause. These problems often emerge at varied mileages, with some occurring shortly after purchase, and can lead to safety concerns such as loss of vehicle control and potential fire hazards.
Owner complaints8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners report two primary issues with the exterior lighting of the 2022 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. Firstly, several complaints highlight that the automatic headlights are overly sensitive, frequently turning on and off when passing through shadows, which can distract other drivers and dim the dashboard unexpectedly. Secondly, there are multiple reports of inadequate low beam performance, with some owners describing dark spots or shadows in the headlight beam, leading to poor night visibility and potential safety hazards. These issues are noted across various mileage ranges, with some owners experiencing them from as early as 4,500 miles. Safety implications include reduced visibility at night, which may increase the risk of accidents, particularly in poorly lit or inclement weather conditions.
Owner complaints6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report multiple issues with the 2022 Hyundai Santa-Cruz related to vehicle speed control. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle failing to accelerate beyond low speeds, such as 20-35 mph, even when the gas pedal is pressed, often requiring the vehicle to be turned off and restarted to resolve the issue temporarily. Some owners describe the engine light activating and the vehicle feeling sluggish or shaking, while others report no warning lights during the incident. These issues typically occur during highway driving, posing potential safety risks, as drivers must use hazard lights and drive at reduced speeds. In certain cases, dealerships have replaced fuel injectors as a corrective measure, although not all vehicles have been inspected or repaired.
Owner complaints5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report recurring issues with fuel injectors in the 2022 Hyundai Santa-Cruz, particularly failures occurring on the same cylinder, often before reaching 80,000 miles. Symptoms include difficulty starting and rough idling that suggest fuel injector malfunctions, with some owners indicating that Hyundai has acknowledged the issue but not issued a recall. Additionally, there are complaints about the evaporative emissions vent valve sticking closed and problems with the fuel tank opening actuator. These issues may lead to safety concerns such as potential stalling or being unable to refuel properly, which could pose risks during driving.
Owner complaints3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system in the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, including unexpected activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking, causing abrupt stops without nearby vehicles. Complaints frequently mention warning lights for multiple safety systems, including Forward Safety, activating in succession, sometimes accompanied by air conditioning failures. These issues occur across various mileages, with one report at 30,000 miles and another as early as 10 miles. Safety implications include instances of the vehicle driving off the road and near collisions with pedestrians. Multiple owners describe persistent problems despite dealer visits and sensor updates.
Owner complaints3
AIR BAGS
Owners report that the 2022 Hyundai Santa-Cruz experiences issues with airbag deployment during crashes. Complaints frequently mention that the airbags fail to deploy despite significant impacts, with incidents occurring at speeds ranging from approximately 20 to 40 MPH. These reports often involve crashes resulting in injuries, including impacts with steering wheels and major injuries requiring medical attention. The complaints also describe instances where the seat belts did not restrain occupants effectively. The failure mileage noted in one complaint is 70,000 miles. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety implications when considering this vehicle.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints2
TRAILER HITCHES
Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz report issues related to the trailer hitch, with one complaint involving a fire. In this case, flames were observed coming from the rear of the vehicle while parked, although there were no warning lights prior to the incident. This occurred at approximately 38,000 miles. Another owner mentions a delay in the availability of parts for a recall repair associated with the trailer hitch, although they have not experienced a failure themselves. Safety implications include the risk of fire, as evidenced by the reported incident.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
