2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

POWER TRAIN

Owners report multiple power train issues with the 2024 Hyundai Santa-Cruz, often involving sudden loss of power and gear disengagement. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle slipping into neutral or stalling during acceleration, particularly around 10-15 mph, and sometimes requiring a restart to resume normal operation. Some incidents occur at highway speeds, leading to hazardous situations as drivers must maneuver to safety without power. One report includes a crash due to the vehicle not engaging park and coasting forward. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with some occurring as early as 2,500 miles, indicating potential early onset of power train problems.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz report several distinct issues. One common problem involves the sunroof, with an owner describing an incident where it exploded while driving at highway speeds, resulting in glass injuries. Another issue is the tailgate lowering unexpectedly while driving, even when the key fob is not being used, as reported by an owner experiencing this twice. Additionally, some owners report power loss while driving at various speeds, including at 70 mph on the turnpike and within a school zone, with no diagnostic codes identified by dealerships. These issues occur at low mileages, such as 300 to 1,375 miles, and could pose safety risks, including potential loss of control or injury from shattered glass.

STEERING

Owners of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz report issues related to the steering system, particularly when using the lane keeping assistant. Complaints frequently mention a loud buzzing sound and slight vibration from the steering wheel, which is noted to be distracting, especially at low speeds or in traffic. Another reported issue is the failure of the steering wheel to lock when the vehicle is turned off, contrary to the guidance in the Owner's Manual. This issue arises when the vehicle is used with a tow dolly, as the steering wheel remains movable, posing potential safety risks. These issues are observed at low mileages, around 1,000 miles, and are noted to impact the usability of the vehicle in specific scenarios.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Owners report issues with the fuel/propulsion system of the 2024 Hyundai Santa-Cruz, primarily involving a strong fuel smell after refueling and problems with vehicle operation at half a tank of gas. The fuel odor is noted to dissipate after driving approximately 40 miles, while another owner describes the vehicle becoming inoperative, allegedly due to sugar contamination, requiring extensive fuel system repairs. Complaints frequently mention mileage around 776 miles and 800 miles when these issues occur. No direct safety incidents such as crashes or fires are reported, but the inability to park near a garage due to fumes and the need for significant repairs suggest potential inconvenience and cost considerations for prospective buyers.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners report that the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz experiences sudden loss of power while driving, with no prior warning lights or messages on the dashboard. Typical symptoms include the vehicle dying and failing to accelerate, requiring drivers to coast to the roadside. These incidents occur at various speeds, including highway conditions, and have been noted at mileages as low as 4,522 miles and up to 12,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with owners describing near-collisions due to sudden deceleration in high-speed traffic. Some owners suggest that similar issues have been discussed in online forums, possibly linked to the fuel injectors, although dealerships reportedly have difficulty replicating the problem.

AIR BAGS

Owners report issues with the airbag system in the 2024 Hyundai Santa-Cruz, specifically citing instances where airbags failed to deploy during accidents. Complaints frequently mention that despite significant impacts, including damage to the frame rail and vehicle rollovers, the airbags did not activate. In one case, the vehicle was only a few months old when the incident occurred. These reports involve crashes leading to injuries, with one complaint noting two occupants were injured due to the lack of airbag deployment. Potential buyers should be aware of these reports, especially if considering a vehicle that has been involved in an accident.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports

ENGINE

Owners of the 2024 Hyundai Santa-Cruz report issues with engine power loss, particularly during acceleration or while climbing inclines. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle dropping to low speeds unexpectedly, with one owner noting a decrease from 60 mph to 20 mph on a highway, and another describing the engine not exceeding idle speed for about 15 seconds. These issues appear to occur shortly after purchase, with one report indicating problems within weeks and another since November 2023. Safety implications are evident, as the sudden loss of power can lead to hazardous situations in traffic. Additionally, one owner reports a malfunctioning backup camera that stays on while driving forward.