2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 4 Santa Cruz years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz ranks worst of 4 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 184 NHTSA complaints. Transmission & powertrain issues make up 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 10,200 miles, plus 4 recalls including a turbocharger oil pipe crack.
- Complaints
- 184
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
Top 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain90 (49%)
- Engine61 (33%)
- Other36 (20%)
- Electrical System29 (16%)
- Fuel System22 (12%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (4%)
- Structure & Body5 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
- Lane Departure4 (2%)
- Airbags3 (2%)
What owners report
- Some owners report the vehicle rolling forward unintentionally after being parked, even after the driver exited.
- Owners describe hesitation or loss of power when accelerating from a stop, sometimes needing several seconds before the vehicle takes off.
- Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, resulting in injuries.
- One owner reported flames coming from the rear of a parked vehicle, which bystanders extinguished before emergency services arrived.
- Owners note dim halogen headlights that dealers said could not be upgraded without voiding the warranty.
- One complaint describes the automatic emergency braking system staying engaged with an alarm sounding even after accelerating away from a stopped vehicle.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V181000Mar 17, 2023Structure & Body584,784 vehiclesPark Outside
Trailer hitches
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
- NHTSA 23V038000Jan 31, 2023Structure & Body16,104 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
Risk: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 241.
- NHTSA 22V746000Oct 6, 2022Transmission & Powertrain56,148 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2022 compared with other Santa Cruz years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2022 Santa Cruz ranks worst of the 4 model years with data, carrying a Complaint Index of 100 and 184 complaints, most tied to the transmission and powertrain.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2022 Santa Cruz?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 49% of complaints (90 of 184), with a median failure mileage of 10,200 miles, making it the top problem area for this year.
- Does the 2022 Santa Cruz have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2022 Santa Cruz, covering a tow hitch harness fire risk, roof molding detachment, a transmission fail-safe drive mode issue, and a turbocharger oil supply pipe that may crack and leak.
- How does the 2022 Santa Cruz compare to later years?
- The 2022 model has the highest Complaint Index at 100, compared to 67 for 2023, 33 for 2024, and 0 for 2025, which is rated Best of the range.
- Are there engine problems in the 2022 Santa Cruz?
- Engine complaints make up 33% of total complaints (61 of 184), with a median failure mileage of 25,000 miles, and one recall addresses a turbocharger oil supply pipe that may crack.