YearToAvoid

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 61 engine-related complaints for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, 33% of its 184 total complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 25,000. A related recall (22V197000) covers a turbocharger oil supply pipe that may crack and leak oil.

Engine complaints
61
33% of 184
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
25,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle loses power and struggles or fails to accelerate past 16-30 mph from a stop, even with the throttle pressed and RPMs climbing.
  • Engine or transmission stalls or shuts down mid-drive, sometimes displaying a warning to stop the vehicle or shift to neutral and restart.
  • RPMs spike to 6,000-7,000 without corresponding acceleration, requiring the vehicle to be turned off and restarted to regain normal function.
  • Shifting feels abrupt, delayed, or stuck, with sluggish upshifts especially noticeable when accelerating uphill.
  • Engine knocking noise occurs on cold start-up after extended driving sessions earlier in the day.
  • Vehicle stalls at very low speed, under 5 mph, while coasting toward a stop, accompanied by an alert to shift to neutral and restart.

When 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 17, 2022, latest Sep 10, 2026.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Feb 2022Aug 2022Jan 2023Oct 2023May 2024Feb 2025Mar 2026
61 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2022 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

  1. NHTSA 22V197000Mar 28, 2022Engine16 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pipes, hoses, and fittings

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

    Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.

Engine complaints by Santa Cruz model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 202261 (33%)
  2. 202324 (30%)
  3. 20249 (26%)
  4. 20251 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
NHTSA lists 61 engine-related complaints for the 2022 Santa Cruz, which makes up 33% of the 184 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Yes. Recall 22V197000 covers the turbocharger oil supply pipe, which may crack and cause an oil leak in the engine compartment. Dealers replace the pipe free of charge.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2022 Santa Cruz?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2022 Santa Cruz is 25,000 miles.
Do engine complaints involve crashes or fires?
No. NHTSA data for this engine complaint set on the 2022 Santa Cruz shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.
How does the 2022 Santa Cruz compare to later years for engine complaints?
Engine complaint share drops in later years: 30% of complaints in 2023, 26% in 2024, and 5% in 2025, compared to 33% in 2022.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.