Owners have reported 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury to NHTSA for the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints25
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent transmission issues with the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz, particularly involving sudden power loss and failure to shift gears properly. Typical symptoms include the vehicle entering "limp mode," loss of acceleration, and instances of the transmission not responding to the accelerator. These issues are commonly reported between 2,000 and 38,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, as multiple complaints describe near-collisions due to unexpected power loss, particularly during turns or when merging into traffic. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission problems and the associated safety risks.
Owner complaints11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz frequently report issues with the electrical system, notably involving wiring harness failures and erratic electrical behavior. Complaints often describe symptoms such as non-functional tail lights, rough idling, and loss of engine power, with some incidents occurring around 24,000 to 26,700 miles. Two reports involve fires, with one linked to the tow hitch and another suspected to have started in the vehicle, both posing significant safety risks. Additionally, owners mention problems with the audio system and power seat adjustments, although these are less commonly reported. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly the risk of electrical fires and the impact on vehicle operation.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
ENGINE
Owners report several engine-related issues with the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. Complaints frequently mention oil leaks, with some attributing the problem to defective oil filter caps, potentially leading to engine starvation of oil while driving. Another common issue is coolant leakage, often linked to faulty coolant reservoir caps or insufficient radiator protection, which could result in engine overheating. Some owners also describe loss of engine power and the need to restart the vehicle to regain acceleration. These issues typically appear within the first 36,000 miles, with potential safety implications such as engine damage or loss of cabin heat in cold weather.
Owner complaints6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz, particularly with transmission and design flaws. Multiple complaints describe the vehicle going into limp mode, limiting speed to 25-30 mph, often after coming to a stop, with no warning lights appearing. Another common issue involves road debris damaging the radiator and air conditioning condenser due to large grill openings, leading to costly repairs. Some owners also mention water leakage into the truck bed through the tonneau cover, which lacks a known fix. Additionally, there are concerns about dealerships using incorrect oil during free maintenance services, potentially causing engine damage as per the owner's manual. Safety implications include potential rear-end collisions due to unexpected speed limitations and being stranded in intersections.
Owner complaints3
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report issues with the braking system of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, particularly involving the emergency brake and electric parking brake. Complaints frequently mention the unintentional activation of these braking systems while driving at speeds between 60 and 70 mph, leading to abrupt deceleration and potential loss of control. One owner describes the problem occurring as early as 1,000 miles into vehicle ownership. Safety implications are noted, as multiple owners describe near-crash incidents when the brakes engage unexpectedly. Used car buyers should be aware of these reported issues, as they may affect the vehicle's performance and safety.
Owner complaints3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners report recurring issues with the exterior lighting of the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz. Common problems include condensation inside the taillights, leading to repeated replacements, with one owner noting three instances of condensation without any rain or washing. Another frequent issue involves the headlights, where owners describe a "black spot" affecting visibility and potentially distracting drivers. Additionally, some owners find the placement and brightness of the headlights inadequate, particularly in models with halogen bulbs, which they claim are unusually dim and positioned too low. These issues arise shortly after purchase, with one owner experiencing taillight condensation within months. Safety implications are noted, with concerns about potential accidents due to reduced visibility and malfunctioning signals.
Owner complaints2
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz report issues related to vehicle structure, particularly concerning unexpected fires and tailgate malfunctions. One owner describes a fire originating from the rear driver's side quarter panel without any warning lights, occurring at approximately 18,000 miles. Another owner reports the tailgate opening unexpectedly on two occasions, once in a parking lot and once while reversing out of a driveway, both at slow speeds and with no load in the bed. These complaints highlight potential safety implications, with the fire posing a serious risk and the tailgate issue potentially affecting vehicle security and functionality.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz report issues with the air bag system, specifically involving the air bag warning light activating intermittently. One complaint describes the light coming on and off randomly, with dealer intervention involving sensor cleaning and proposed air bag replacement. Another owner reports a crash incident where the air bags failed to deploy, resulting in injuries during a low-speed collision with a pole at approximately 1,200 miles. The safety implications include non-deployment of air bags in a crash, which could be a significant concern for potential buyers. These issues appear to surface at low mileage, as indicated by the reported incidents.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report issues with the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz's fuel and propulsion system, primarily noting lower than expected fuel consumption and acceleration problems. Complaints frequently mention fuel efficiency significantly below advertised figures, with one owner specifically citing an average of 10 miles per gallon. Additionally, there are descriptions of a lack of power during acceleration, where the vehicle struggles to reach speeds above 40 MPH and loses power, necessitating pulling over to allow faster traffic to pass. These issues do not include specific mileage ranges or timelines, and no safety incidents such as crashes or loss of control are reported. This information may be useful for potential buyers considering the vehicle's performance and efficiency characteristics.
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report two distinct issues with the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz related to vehicle speed control. One issue involves an inability to accelerate beyond approximately 25 mph, with engine speed fluctuating unpredictably. This problem is noted to temporarily resolve after turning off and restarting the ignition. The second issue involves the Highway Drive Assist (HDA) system, which reportedly adjusts the cruise speed incorrectly, exceeding the posted speed limits by significant margins. Both issues present potential safety implications, particularly in situations with heavy traffic or when precise speed control is required. No specific mileage range is mentioned in the complaints, but the described symptoms could impact driving safety.
