VehicleVerdict

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 269 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.3 times the median Santa Cruz year — the 2022 model ranks #1 of 5 Santa Cruz years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 88 reports (33% of the total).

269

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2022 compare to other Santa Cruz years?

Santa Cruz NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted269 complaints2022: 269 complaints2023: 106 complaints2024: 51 complaints2025: 25 complaints2026: 6 complaints
Santa Cruz NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Cruz years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission8833%
Engine4818%
Other3413%
Electrical System218%
Fuel System207%
Speed Control176%
Driver Assistance145%
Lighting93%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Airbags31%
Body & Structure21%
Trailer Hitch21%
Brakes21%
Suspension10%
Latches & Locks10%
Steering10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V181000Trailer HitchMarch 17, 2023 · 584,784 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

23V038000Body & StructureJanuary 31, 2023 · 16,104 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.

Consequence

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.

22V746000TransmissionOctober 6, 2022 · 56,148 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

22V197000EngineMarch 28, 2022 · 16 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact's husband owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that after her husband parked the vehicle in the driveway, he exited the vehicle and went into the garage when the vehicle unintentionally rolled forward into the garage and crashed into her vehicle. The contact's husband did…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 3, 2022 · crash

“Leaving work my truck started shimmying like I had a flat. I realized I had no power when accelerating and my engine light came on. I wanted to make it home so chanced it in the interstate. Any acceleration under 2000 rpm my whole car shook and shuddered. It even shakes when idling before I shut it…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 11, 2023

“iLOSS OF POWER. My hyundai t has 400miles on it. In the morning started driving very sluggish- felt the loss or 30% power. On a highway trying to pass the vehicle/merge into traffic- could not get up past 2.5K RPMS and get up to traffic speed -60 MPH. Felt very unsafe- had to quickly take the exit,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 19, 2022

“ALL DASH LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING. OIL, ABS, TIRE PRESSURE, CHECK ENGINE. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP NOW AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME WITH A LOANER AND CONSTANT UPDATES. THEY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CORPORATE AND THEY ADVISED THEM TO CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 27, 2022

“Vehicle began running roughly. CEL came on. Began to misfire. Limped it off the FWY under limited power. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Was diagnosed as having bad fuel injectors. Was told by service writer that Hyundai Santa Cruz trucks have been experiencing a lot of injector failures. Looking…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 1, 2025

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz — common questions

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 269 complaints put the 2022 model at #1 of 5 Santa Cruz years. It is one of the Santa Cruz years to avoid.

What are the most common 2022 Santa Cruz problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (88 complaints), engine (48 complaints), other (34 complaints).

Does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Santa Cruz years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Cruz years to avoid are 2022, 2023. The cleanest record among Santa Cruz years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.