Hyundai Santa Cruz Best and Worst Years (2022–2025)
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the year to avoid, with 184 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and 4 recalls, led by transmission and powertrain problems. The 2025 model year ranks best with a complaint index of 0 and only 19 complaints.
- Model years
- 4
- 2022–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 317
- Recall campaigns
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 11
- Fires reported
- 5
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Santa Cruz Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Hyundai Santa Cruz problems and recalls by year
Santa Cruz years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Index 100 · 184 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Santa Cruz carries the highest complaint volume in the lineup, with 184 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate, accounting for 90 complaints (49% of this year's total) at a median mileage of 10,200 miles. Engine complaints follow at 61 (33%), with a median mileage of 25,000. Electrical system issues (29 complaints) and fuel system issues (22 complaints) round out the top areas. NHTSA recorded 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries for this year, along with 4 recall campaigns covering transmission fail-safe drive mode, roof molding detachment, and a tow hitch harness issue.
2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 engine problems →2022 electrical system problems →
Most common Hyundai Santa Cruz problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain126 (40%)
- Engine95 (30%)
- Electrical System54 (17%)
- Other53 (17%)
- Fuel System34 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras27 (9%)
- Brakes12 (4%)
- Structure & Body12 (4%)
- Lane Departure9 (3%)
- Airbags7 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Hyundai Santa Cruz should I avoid?
- The 2022 Santa Cruz is the year to avoid based on NHTSA data, with 184 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and 4 recall campaigns, mostly tied to transmission and powertrain problems.
- Which Hyundai Santa Cruz model year is best?
- The 2025 Santa Cruz ranks best, with a complaint index of 0 and only 19 complaints reported to NHTSA.
- Is the 2023 Santa Cruz reliable?
- The 2023 Santa Cruz is rated Caution, with 79 complaints and a complaint index of 67, still led by transmission and powertrain issues but improved compared to 2022.
- What is the biggest problem area across all Santa Cruz years?
- Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area overall, with 126 complaints making up 40% of all complaints across 2022-2025.
- Does the 2022 Santa Cruz have a transmission recall?
- Yes, recall campaign 22V746000 covers 2022 Santa Cruz vehicles where the transmission's fail-safe limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired; dealers inspect and replace the transmission and update the control unit as needed.