NHTSA (USA)CriticalPark Outside
At a glance
What can fail
Water can accumulate on the tow hitch harness electrical circuit board, causing a short that may result in fire.
What the fix does
This page covers 4 recalls, 172 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
22–23 mpg combined
10.2–10.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz centers on the powertrain, specifically the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Owners frequently report the transmission getting stuck in first gear during cold starts, with the vehicle unable to upshift and topping out around 25–30 mph even with the accelerator fully depressed. No warning lights appear during these episodes, and the only workaround owners describe is pulling over, shutting the engine off, and restarting. Engine complaints come in second, with some owners reporting issues that align with the same cold-start behavior, and at least one report citing a combined transmission and cylinder failure. A smaller cluster of complaints involves driver assistance features, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, going offline or becoming unresponsive simultaneously.
172
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 4 recalls, the most serious being three separate issues that can lead to a fire or sudden loss of drive power while on the road.
Two of those risks involve fire. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger can crack and spray oil onto hot engine or exhaust components, creating a fire risk under the hood while the engine is running. On vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness, whether installed at the factory or added through a dealership, the wiring can overheat and start a fire while the vehicle is parked or moving. The third serious issue involves the transmission's fail-safe mode, a backup system designed to keep the vehicle moving at limited speed if a transmission oil pump problem is detected. On affected vehicles, that fail-safe mode can fail to engage, resulting in a complete and sudden loss of drive power rather than a controlled reduction in speed. There is also a structural concern: the roof moldings on certain vehicles can detach while driving and land in the path of other traffic.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can accumulate on the tow hitch harness electrical circuit board, causing a short that may result in fire.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit at no charge to prevent electrical short and fire risk.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof moldings may detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the roof moldings and replace or secure them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A transmission oil pump malfunction can disable the vehicle's fail-safe limited-mobility drive mode, potentially causing complete loss of drive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission if needed, and update the transmission control unit software. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The oil supply pipe feeding the turbocharger can crack, causing oil to leak into the engine compartment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.